|
Special Features
The earliest American flatware were direct copies of
the British. Kings originated as an 18th Century French
design and became popular in England in the beginning
of the 19th . There are quite a number of variations
including single struck, double struck, shell heel,
with and without husks.
In the US Kirk Kings has lasted since 1832 as a single
struck pattern but most of the early makes have come
and gone. The ends of the handles continue the turned
up/turned down debate and we have both in our
collection.
Dating
Since Kings was produced in England since 1800 they
could have been copied in the US any time after that
and are likely to be among the oldest US collectible 5
piece place settings, along with Fiddle and it's
variations. As with most coin silver dating is usually
according to the makers marks.
In the set below we have :
- Dinner fork marked R&W Wilson which would
place it between 1825 and 1846
- Dessert fork marked Bailey and Company - which
would place it between 1846-78 with the
psuedohallmarks star,star, eagle/O/shield
- Dessert spoon with turned down handle marked only
with a star and then Bailey & Co
- Teaspoon spoon, handle turned up marked with
Hallmarks eagle/?/shield or harp
BLYNN & BALDWIN
- Salad/pastry fork, no hallmarks and only BLYNN
& BALDWIN
None are marked either coin or Sterling, although
Bailey claimed to make silver to the .925 standard
during this period. We would be very interested in some
information dating these.
Pieces Available
| |
Size |
My Cost |
Note |
| Teaspoon |
5 7/8" |
$30.00 |
Turned Up |
| Dessert Spoon |
7 1/8" |
$30.00 |
Turned Down |
| Dinner Fork |
8" |
$45.00 |
Single Struck |
| Dessert Fork |
7 1/4" |
$30.00 |
Double struck |
| Salad/Pastry Fork |
5 3/4" |
$25.00 |
|
Would be interested in opinions regarding
the third fork. Is it a very early salad for
or just pastry. Outside tine definitely used
for cutting.
|
|
click on image to enlarge
|
Key Pieces
The salad/pastry fork
Comments
Coin Kings would make an interesting
collection in itself with all the different varieties
and makers. Again I would love to have an old book of
etiquette to know how the pieces were placed. Possibly
the earliest fork, the Wilson with the single strike is
mono on the back indicating it was places points down.
The later double struck dessert fork has its' mono on
the front indicating it was placed points up as we do
today. The Bailey dessert spoon has handle turned down
indicating it was placed point up with the mono on the
front. The Blynn & Baldwin teaspoon is turned up as
in Hanovarian but has the mono on the front.
In what circumstances were the pieces placed point up
and when point down? (See discussion re British
Hanovarian and Old English on this topic)
|
