posted 07-25-2002 10:35 PM            

Does anyone have any more information?

This is my first time for posting a question and an image...hopefully I am on doing this correctly.

posted 07-25-2002 11:14 PM            

This is a tough question and I can give you no concrete answer: several of us have discussed the various S. BAKER marks, but have reached no firm conclusions. I do not believe it is the S. Baker cited in Cutten's North Carolina, unless it is from his later years (c 1820) when he was working in New York, though Darling also only shows an all cap mark. Perhaps someone else has a thought?

posted 07-26-2002 01:18 PM            

This is the mark given in Belden's Marks of American Silversmiths for Stephen Baker, working c 1800-1818 in Wilmington NC and 1819-1825 in New York City. It is essentially the same as that shown in Cutten's North Carolina. Current thinking, however, is to assign this mark to Samuel Baker (1787-1858) who was working c 1820 in New Brunswick NJ. I am still digging about the genealogical records for both men, but have not turned up any clues. Cutten gives Stephen Baker a birth date of 14 November 1791, but I believe this is wrong. He advertised in Wilmington in 1817, thanking the public for past patronage. Assuming a year's worth of work, this would make him only 17 at the time he established a shop in the city; either he served a very short apprenticeship or began very young. Winterthur's records show a birth date of 1787, which is more reasonable, but is also the date given for Samuel Baker, so it may simply be more of the confusion between the two men.

All in all, a very tasty little puzzle!

posted 07-29-2002 05:28 PM            

If you look at a lot of "Arts & Crafts" period flatware from the early 20th century, you will see that some pieces are indeed made in two pieces and soldered together. In a thread of a few years ago, I mentioned the probability that this technique was the result of the aforementioned misconception. I feel that some A&C silversmiths, lacking a historical background in silversmithing techniques, assumed that the "two part" construction was correct and made things accordingly.

posted 02-20-2008 11:22 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by wev:

This is the mark given in Belden's Marks of American Silversmiths for Stephen Baker, working c 1800-1818 in Wilmington NC and 1819-1825 in New York City. It is essentially the same as that shown in Cutten's North Carolina. Current thinking, however, is to assign this mark to Samuel Baker (1787-1858) who was working c 1820 in New Brunswick NJ.

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For what it's worth, in the 1850 U. S. Federal Census there is a Samuel Baker in North Brunswick, NJ whose occupation is listed as watchmaker and whose birth year matches the above. In the same household, there is also an Elias Baker aged 33 who is probably a son and whose occupation is also watchmaker.

posted 02-21-2008 04:36 PM            

Wev, I would enjoy giving any help I can to your new project (how do you do it all!). Undoing common misconceptions about the craft is a pet crusade, Rob.

posted 02-21-2008 09:34 PM            

Edjucating folks on the processes required to make something in silver is a valiant and noble quest. My passion for process has drawn many to understand the steps and time required.

My hats off to all who strive to taach and learn.