posted 03-10-2002 11:00 AM            

I am posting this in the Coin Silver Forum as well as Collecting Place Settings, even though this is a Sterling piece as coin aficionados are more familiar with silver of the 1870's.

Special Features
The silver of the pre 1870’s is fascinating because so little is documented about it. The information we exchange in this Forum often adds greatly to the body of knowledge. I cam upon these pieces from a knowledgeable dealer in NY who had them in his “William Gale” Box. He said that they were of John Cook who was Gale’s foreman and described the pattern as “Ribbon”. It does look like it is bordered in a ribbon.

John Cook has but a paragraph in Rainwater “American Silver Manufacturers”- where it mentions that he practiced in NY City in partnership with Theo Evans and company and that he once was the foreman for Wm Gale. Evans, who was once salesman for the same Wm Gale and Cook, seemed to have a going business making the standard patterns of the day. When Evans retired in 1869, Cook continued on alone until 1880 eventually being bought out by Shiebler.

Rainwater says that they patented one pattern called “Ribbon” , Cook is listed to have a patent for #3384 in 1869. Those pieces marked with the : JC

inscription would therefore seem to be 1869 or after. It has been said that Cook bought out Philo Gilbert which solved for us much of the mystery around the “Mystery Pattern” about which so much has been written in this forum, as those pieces have been found with the JC mark.

Now Turner does not refer to Cook, but does refer to Evans and the “Ribbon” pattern on P.92 and elsewhere as being of landmark quality for machine production. A shot of the drawing from Turner is given here:

Now this drawing clearly does not match the pieces above. So what is the story? Are these a Gilbert pattern that Cook bought? Are they his 1869 patented pattern which is different from the one sold by Evans as Ribbon? Some expert help would be appreciated.

Dating
The pieces are all marked Sterling, and with the JC Mark would seem to be placed after 1869 and before 1880.

Pieces Available
item……………….size………………Our cost
Table Spoon……. 8.5”………… … $55.00
Dinner Fork……… 8.25”……………$65.00
Dessert Fork …….7 5/8”… …… $45.00

These pieces are all massive and of excellent weight. They dwarf most American pieces of the era and compare favorably with the British for quality. Has anyone seen any other types? I would love to have a teaspoon to make a table setting.
Photo:

For exploded view click below

Key Pieces
Would love to know what exists.

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