posted 10-02-2004 06:39 PM            

We recently found a tea set that has the mark of W. B. North & Co. Deborah Dependahl Waters, in Elegant Plate: Three Centuries of Precious Metals in New York City, indicates that W. B. North used this mark from 1824 to 1826. We were initially attracted the design because of the basket of flowers finials, the animal head at the end of the spout and its great size. The teapot is over 11 inches high and would suggest that the "More is not enough" consumerism was in full force by the 1820s.

What also fascinated me was the name and date on each piece. In a rather large and bold script the name "Stella Mercer Shoemaker" was engraved together with the date 1835 prominently placed below this name.

I am not that familiar with the engraving practice of the 1820s, but normally I would have expected to see a monogram rather than a full name and date. From seeing many children's presentation cups it is evident that the size, style and content of the engraving often have something with the donor's purpose or objective. In this case it may have had something to do with the recipient's intention.

The fun part of having a name to trace is making a connection with the past. Search engines and the publication of names of ancestors on a web site often make searching effortless. The great and wonderful Goggle disclosed that Stella Mercer Sprigg married Charles Shoemaker on May 18, 1835. Stella was from New Orleans and Charles lived in Pennsylvania. This was the second marriage for Charles as his first marriage to Mary E. Denison on 24 Oct 1825 ended with her death in August 1831. As the date of his first marriage coincided with the time that the W. B. North and Co. mark was used, it is possible that the tea set was initially a gift by Charles to his first wife. It may well be that Stella, with the ingenuity and initiative of one from Louisiana, found the perfect way to take away the memory of the first wife. The extra large engraving of her name, together with date of their marriage no doubt was just the first step to bind her and Charles together. Of course it could also be that Charles simply wanted to save some money. Since the tea set had never been engraved, he may have decided to recycle it and had it engraved with his second wife's name. I think I like the first explanation better and will go with that.

posted 04-22-2005 03:00 PM            

Very similar spout; this is part of a three piece set made for a family in Newark by Nicholas J. Bogert. Because it was not marked "STERLING" it appears to have been ELECTROPLATED at some time in the early 20th century. You'd thought they could have polished it. Probably had fire scale and they thought it was plated.

posted 04-23-2005 10:36 AM            

She was named for her paternal grandmother, Stella (Mercer) Sprigg, who, as noted, married, as her second husband, Charles Shoemaker on 18 May 1835.

posted 04-24-2005 05:18 PM            

The Bogert teapot has a spout that is very similar to the North piece and together with the similar handle leads me to think that maybe different pieces of the teapot were all purchased from a firm that specialized making in these parts. I know that the die-rolled border was from a specialized industry, and perhaps handles, spouts, and finials also were made by specialized silversmiths.

Thanks Ulysses, akgdc and wev for the great information.

posted 04-16-2009 08:47 PM            

I guess now we should be looking for a waste bowl by North as I am sure that he would have offered one in the mid 1820’s to go with this service. I also wonder if other size teapots were made by North.

My wife does have a good eye as this pot was really hiding on the dealers table behind many other things and she when right to it. The smaller pot is not engraved, but I suppose we could put Stella’s name on it also.

posted 04-17-2009 01:03 AM            

Now you want to add a 1835 engraving - is that a good idea???

In case you do - remember engraving by hand - not machine - engraving by hand, but I am sure you will regret.

I am not familiar with American engraving 1835 - but in my mind I am also sure that it is made at a much later date.

posted 04-17-2009 11:53 AM            

However the $ value might improve by adding more pieced - in case makers mark also match.

Adding your name and date would definitely decrease the $ value. But in my opinion that is no problem. In my mind the owner 2009 has the right to act accordingly. A 2009 engraving is for me as OK as a 1809 engraving. Provided that it is done in RESPECT of the item. Taking its history in mind. But respect for the item is essential.