strange mark on American (?) sugar tongs

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strange mark on American (?) sugar tongs

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Author	Topic: strange mark on American (?) sugar tongs
Marc Posts: 414 Registered: Jun 2002	posted 03-22-2008 07:09 AM Hi there, I just obtained several pair of sugar tongs, both English and American, and found this pair to be intriguing. I have so far been unable to find the maker in any of my American marks books, or online research, so I am asking the silver community for some help. The tongs are marked on the inside of each arm with a T H and a circle with rays projecting to the right. There are no other marks on the tongs. The monogram on the end of the tongs is feathered, and the shape of the tongs leads me to believe that they are circa 1800. Thanks for your help. Marc IP: Logged
bascall Posts: 1629 Registered: Nov 99	posted 03-22-2008 09:10 AM My expertise concerning shapes and forms of early American silver is very limited. However, almost without fail anytime spoons ends like the ones on your tongs show up, they seem to always be british? Also the mark you have shown looks like it has been over struck. Is the other side about the same? IP: Logged
argentum1 Posts: 602 Registered: Apr 2004	posted 03-22-2008 10:55 AM I have a tendency to agree with bascall. Overstrikes of marks, while not frequently seen, are common. The tongs with spoon ends which are less pronounced in spoon shape but rather seem to flow out of the arms, are usually English. Keep in mind that American silversmiths frequently purchased goods from England and marked them as their own work. Ghis continues to this day in that almost everything sold in the United States today is of foreign manufacture. IP: Logged
Marc Posts: 414 Registered: Jun 2002	posted 03-22-2008 11:21 AM Hi there Bascall, The mark on the other arm is the same, and the 'T' is also weakly struck. The mark is also 2/3 of an inch farther up the handle than the other one. I just went through my "Jackson's" "Silver & Gold Marks" and did not find them there either. And, I have had 18th c. American tongs with this type of nippers. But, I have never had tongs with a big American style body and dainty nippers. 'Tis a puzzlement'. Here is a photo of the monogram and both marks. Marc IP: Logged
wev Moderator Posts: 4121 Registered: Apr 99	posted 03-22-2008 11:37 AM Thomas Harland, Sr. A clear shot of the mark is shown in Hammerslough's Early Connecticut Silver [This message has been edited by wev (edited 03-22-2008).] IP: Logged
bascall Posts: 1629 Registered: Nov 99	posted 03-22-2008 12:04 PM Here's a little more on Thomas Harland Sr that is pretty much in line with Wev's information: quote: wrist-watches.org ... There is evidence that Thomas Harland (1735-1807) was the earliest watchmaker in America. Harland, an English-trained clockmaker, settled at Norwich, Connecticut, in 1773. He advertised on December 9, 1773, that he “makes in the neatest manner and on the most approved principles, horizontal, repeating, and plain gold watches I gold, silver, metal or covered cases.” He also noted “watch wheels and fuzees of all sorts and dimensions, cut and finished upon the shortest notice, neat as in London and at the same price.” It is not known whether Harland actually made wrist watches or just engraved his name on imported examples, but he certainly had the ability to make watches. He perhaps made a few after his arrival and later found it mare economical to import them. In later advertisements, such as the one dated January 9, 1800, he no longer claimed to make watches, but had “for sale at his shop in Norwich, an assortment of Warranted Watches, vis. English sliver Watches, cap’d and jeweled; day of month and seconds, in silver and gilt cases; second-hand watches, various sorts; French gold and silver Watches, day of month, seconds, and plain.” .... This information lacks obvious references, so you'll have to be the judge of its usefulness. IP: Logged
Marc Posts: 414 Registered: Jun 2002	posted 03-22-2008 01:06 PM Hi there William st al, Thanks for the information. This is one book, I do not have, so I will be looking out for one. The message at the top of the info page on your research web site, (AMERICAN SILVERSMITHS), on Mr. Harland says that you need photos of his marks. I am happy to provide you with the ones I have or new ones. I can provide you with several, but if you can give me examples of the photos you like best, I can work towards that. I will give you as high resolution pics as I can. Thanks as always. Respectfully, Marc IP: Logged
argentum1 Posts: 602 Registered: Apr 2004	posted 03-22-2008 02:54 PM Just as an added note: The Harland mark in the Connecticut book illustrates the mark quite well. It has the same rayed moon at the front of the mark as well as the one at the end of the mark enclosed within a shaped cartouche. IP: Logged

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