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Some Fiddle pattern egg spoons made in Exeter in 1840. The maker's mark consists of only a surname: Ramsey.
There are two Ramseys listed in Jackson's: a Jonathan Ramsey 1829-31, and an Edward Ramsey 1845-57. They are both from Devonport (a district south-west of Exeter), so it's quite likely that they are related. Jackson's also has this mark illustrated and attributed to Edward Ramsey in the 1841-42 section. Just what are this silversmiths' dates?

Miles



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Hello Miles.

I don’t know if this will help or just add to the confusion, but Richard S. Rendell in his work of 1979 records this “RAMSEY” mark from a spoon in his collection, dated 1853.

Paul.
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That must surely be Edward Ramsey.
Paul, I'm not familiar with that author. What is the title of the book?

Miles
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Hello Miles,

Sorry I missed out the first name. It was Edward. Is it possible that “RAMSEY” could be overstruck on another mark?

The work I referred to is called “West Country Goldsmiths Mark”. It is probably an unpublished work by a Richard S. Rendell” who seems to have compiled it from various West Country silver collections and resources.

Paul.
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Hello Miles,
My maker's mark list shows Edward Ramsey's dates as 1840-59.
The initial entry was taken from Jackson's and has been extended by reference to assayed spoons I've seen with this mark with the date letters for 1840 and 1859.
Family Search web site shows an Edward Ramsey born in Devonport in 1812 and living in Stoke Damerel, Devon at the time of the 1881 Census where he is described as a retired jeweller.
Regards,
Mike
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I don't think the mark is an overstrike.
Thank you both for your replies.

Miles
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Link to the trade card of Ramsey of Devonport:

http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/s ... umpages=10" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Is that 51, Fore Street?

Trev.
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Here's a nice article from the Devonport town website.
http://devonportonline.co.uk/history/ar ... amsey.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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