posted 05-17-2011 07:45 PM            

Ok, put on your thinking caps. I need a few recommendations for a flatware pattern for a baby spoon and fork that will coordinate with the child's bowl and under plate I plan to gift to one of the new twins my brother and sister-in-law are expecting. The bowl and under plate are by Erik Magnussen for Gorham with a stylized rooster design. My plan is to find a simple pattern that I can have the same design engraved on the handles. And maybe have a cup engraved as well. Here is a picture of the 2 pieces:

And here is a close-up of the rooster:

There is one hand-engraver in town and I think he can do the job. If not, any recommendations?

After I complete this project then I get to try to find a similar gift for the other twin (kinda hard since we don't know if they are boys or girls or one of each - still very exciting either way!)

Robert

posted 05-17-2011 08:27 PM            

My initial reaction was to say Tiffany Faneuil, or Gorham's Mothers. Faneuil is what I gave. I should have gotten the youth set, they outgrow the small pieces too quickly.

That said, in keeping with your motif, I love Gorham's Birds Nest!

BTW I find out tomorrow what my next Grandchild will be. Healthy is my only prayer either way!

Best to your family!

Jersey

posted 05-18-2011 10:36 AM            

Two patterns worth looking at, because they have a large engraving field, and they are stylized, would be Gorham Fairfax, and 1810 by International.

Additionally, any of the fiddle thread patterns would also have a nice border to show off a rooster engraving.

enjoy the task!

posted 05-18-2011 10:41 AM            

We have an excellent hand engraver in Charlotte NC, does a lot of work for me, 40 years experience, and enjoys talking to customers.

Let me know if you want his name and phone #.

Marc

posted 05-18-2011 08:20 PM            

I had thought of 1810 but it seemed too "pointy". Marc's suggestion of a fiddle thread made me think of Gorham's Old French and it looks like it will be perfect right down to the nice curve at the top which mimics the curves on the bowl and underplate. Now I just have to find a set.

So baby fork and spoon or youth set (fork, spoon and knife)?

And yes Marc, I would love to get your engraver's name. Charlotte is right up the road from me so he would be easy to access. Scott, can you help me with that please?

Thanks

posted 05-18-2011 10:31 PM            

If it is within your budget, I'd go for both baby and youth set. That way you'd have all your bases covered, and they were often packaged together by some silver companies.

I love your set, and I personally wouldn't be able to give it away even to my nieces and nephews. I have a child's bowl from Mexico with chicks around the rim that is decorated somewhat like yours, definitely not with the great style of yours, and I couldn't bear to give it away when the time came! My first great nephew had to be satisfied with a baby set in Hepplewhite, and after his mother's reaction to the gift I didn't bother again with the ones who came after.

posted 05-19-2011 09:40 AM            

There are no date marks only the mark for Erik Magnussen which would place it c.1925-1929.

posted 05-19-2011 05:00 PM            

Or something Danish modern?

posted 05-19-2011 05:38 PM            

I found there are a lot of sets available on that big auction venue, as well as various other web sites.
Once you have decided on the pattern look for them under the titles of child's, children, Christening , Baptism and/or youth sets, or you can try by individual pieces. It takes work but you may find it to be worth your while cost wise, since many are listed all the time at different prices.

Much luck to you & please let us know what you have chosen. I for one would love to know.

PS.....I'd go with the youth.....& save it for when they come for visits or other special occasions. In my case I know they would never let him use it at home. I also got him George Adams, Chawner Canova pattern youth set. Plus I get to keep it safe & use it for me too, LOL!

posted 05-19-2011 09:41 PM            

Old Newbury Crafters, Oh Yes they mostly certainly do!

BTW Robert, Gorham also made a bookmark with a rooster. That would be a great gift if you read to them!
Jersey

posted 05-19-2011 11:12 PM            

I tried using a "Vision" fork and knife, and it was a difficult and uncomfortable situation.

Exiting to look at, but...

Robert, I gave my Engraver's phone # and name to Scott (our fearless leader) to forward to you.

posted 05-19-2011 11:32 PM            

quote:

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How bad was the reaction to the Hepplewhite?

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She was totally uninterested in it. It turned out that her mother-in-law had already given her a child's set, but I'm guessing it was one in stainless. I come from a stainless-type family.