Looking for info on J. Gray, Sterling (?) Silver Flatware Producer

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Looking for info on J. Gray, Sterling (?) Silver Flatware Producer

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Author	Topic: Looking for info on J. Gray, Sterling (?) Silver Flatware Producer
Terrell Posts: 7 Registered: Dec 2002	posted 12-05-2002 12:33 AM I have some lovely silver spoons with a shell pattern on the handles. The only stamp is "J. Gray". I am looking for any info on J. Gray, a sterling (?) silver flatware producer. Is the company still in business, or did it merge with another company, or go out of business altogether? During what years did J. Gray produce silver flatware? Where was the company located? Any info would be greatly appreciated. IP: Logged
Ulysses Dietz Moderator Posts: 1265 Registered: May 99	posted 12-05-2002 08:58 AM J. Gray, hmmm...not marked "STERLING" or anything? There was a John Gray who worked in Boston between 1710 and 1720, and possibly he could have produced spoons with shells on them. Where are the shells? On the handle, or the back of the bowl, at the join with the handle? Or, this might be an arts and crafts silversmith making colonial style spoons in the early 20th century. But then I'd expect a "STERLING" or "Handwrought" mark or something like that. This is not a well-known name, so perhaps you need to try to post a picture. IP: Logged
Terrell Posts: 7 Registered: Dec 2002	posted 12-10-2002 11:00 PM There is a scallop shell located at the tip of the handle (the end farthest away from the bowl of the spoon). It may be a while before I can post a picture, but I'll try as soon as I can. The silver is very soft. Could it possibly be coin silver? These spoons were part of my great-grandmother's wedding silver. Her wedding was around 1890, so we know they were made before that. They could be much older even than 1890, since we don't know if they were given to my great-grandmother new or if she inherited them. My mother recalls reading about a B. Gray and a J. Gray (father and son, or vice versa) and she thinks that they may have been from Rhode Island. I wonder, also, whether J. Gray was an American or a British silver maker. IP: Logged
Ulysses Dietz Moderator Posts: 1265 Registered: May 99	posted 12-11-2002 08:49 AM The shell at the tip of the handle (as opposed to at the base of the bowl) suggests an early 19th century date. There are plenty of undocumented spoon makers in this period, and plenty of silversmiths who, literally, made only spoons; so your family legend could be true. If the spoon does not say "STERLING" it is some other standard, and "coin" (which was used as a mark, but is a standard for all non-sterling silver) would be a good guess. If the spoon is very thinly made, and rather flexible, that is typical of many old coin spoons, and indeed traditional thin "coin style" spoons were being made late into the 19th century, and in huge quantities right through the 1850s. These spoons could not be English unless there are English hallmarks, required by law on every piece of silver. With a simple J. GRAY mark, they must be American. IP: Logged
Terrell Posts: 7 Registered: Dec 2002	posted 12-12-2002 03:53 PM Thank you so much for your replies and for the information. quote: Originally posted by Ulysses Dietz: The shell at the tip of the handle (as opposed to at the base of the bowl) suggests an early 19th century date. There are plenty of undocumented spoon makers in this period, and plenty of silversmiths who, literally, made only spoons; so your family legend could be true. If the spoon does not say "STERLING" it is some other standard, and "coin" (which was used as a mark, but is a standard for all non-sterling silver) would be a good guess. If the spoon is very thinly made, and rather flexible, that is typical of many old coin spoons, and indeed traditional thin "coin style" spoons were being made late into the 19th century, and in huge quantities right through the 1850s. These spoons could not be English unless there are English hallmarks, required by law on every piece of silver. With a simple J. GRAY mark, they must be American. IP: Logged

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