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Hello, I saw an image of a North American spoon on line with an "A1" mark on. This mark, regularly seen with British electroplated cutlery, stimulated my interest and lead me to look for more info.
I first looked on our own forum and all I found was a reference for 1901 of "H.Z. Rhoads - Treasurer" of the "The Lancaster Silver Plate Co. - New York and Lancaster, Pa.". The post was in the "Sticks, Whips, Canes, Parasols, and Umbrellas" section.

viewtopic.php?f=38&t=30437&p=115897&hilit=rhoads#p115897

Elsewhere on line I found:

On October 12, 1861, Rhoads began a jewelry business on the north side of West King Street, in partnership with C.J.Gillespie. But just nine months later, Rhoads bought out Mr. Gillespie’s interest.

Rhoads in 1868 when in partnership with his brother, Charles, bought the old “Lamb Hotel” on the south side of West King Street. The following year, in 1869, Rhoads and his brother moved across the street into the Lamb Hotel property, which they had converted into a new store.



H Z Rhoads & Bro was in operation from 1865-1882 on King Street in Lancaster Pennsylvania.

Subsequently, by 1888, "H.Z. Rhoads & Son, Lancaster, PA" had come into being, founded by Henry Z. Rhoads and Godfried Z. Rhoads. Godfried Rhoads left the firm in 1893 but circa 1888-1897 are the dates suggested for this concern.

Directory listings being:
1888 Lancaster Dir.: listed as watch and jewelry merchants, 4 W. King, Lancaster, PA
1896 Lancaster Dir.: listed as jewelers, 4 W. King, Lancaster, PA

It is likely the spoon was retailed by "H Z Rhoads & Bro" and could be more than 140 years old. Extra information on " Lancaster Rhoads" can be found at
http://www.pa-roots.org/data/read.php?3 ... -103683The

and from "Uncharted Lancaster", a Blog.

Fishless

Source: The Pennsylvania School Journal - April 1869

Trev.

There is an online reference mentioning some guy becoming proprietor of the Lamb Hotel in 1877 (known as the Golden Lamb back in 1834) and later the White Swan. Another big document seems to indicate one Charles aquiring the Lamb Hotel (not Henry?).

An 1877 advertisement from Ezra F. Bowman, who was formerly with H.Z. Rhoads & Bro.:


Ezra F. Bowman - Lancaster, Pa. - 1877

Trev.

Just a piece of information to go with the above advertisement:

Death of Ezra F. Bowman

Lancaster, Pa., May 11. — Ezra F. Bowman, one of the most noted jewelers of this section of the country, passed away Tuesday, May 7. Death was due to pneumonia.

Mr. Bowman was born in Strasburg, near Lancaster, Pa., Feb. 24, 1847, and in his youth learned the trade of watch-making under an expert. He then entered the employ of H. Z. Rhoads & Bro., Lancaster, as head watchmaker, where he gained a great reputation for his skill, and after leaving here was in the model department of the Lancaster watch factory (now the Hamilton Watch Co.). Mr. Bowman started in business for himself, in a small way, in 1877, in Lancaster, devoting his attention entirely to watches, clocks and chains. His venture was an immediate success, as he enjoyed the confidence of the entire community for his strict integrity, and his conscientious dealing and mechanical skill brought him an extensive business.

On May 10, 1882, he abandoned his large retail business to go into the wholesale trade, and at once put into practice three rules which he always consistently adhered to; (1) “Positively no goods sold at retail; (2) no goods sold to peddlers; (3) price lists sent to regular jewelers only.” He thus became a pioneer in measures of protection to the retailer, being moved thereto by a strong conviction of duty in the maintenance of a principle. On Jan. 1, 1883, he took Willis B. Musser into the business, under the firm name of Bowman & Musser, and the firm built up a very large wholesale trade, extending over the entire country.

Mr. Musser withdrew. May 1, 1891, and the Non-Retailing Co. were organized and bought, out the watch and chain departments and Mr. Bowman continued the tool, material and trade repairing departments under the name of E. F. Bowman & Co. His subsequent failure occurred several years ago and his great disappointment in the failure of his arrangements for the payment of his creditors, no doubt, hastened his death.

With a very little money loaned him by his aged mother, he again heroically set to work, a poor but undaunted man. He started a trade watch repairing and engraving business, and also conducted the E. F. Bowman Technical School. Both were very successful and he was again fairly started, when death closed his honorable career. The deceased leaves a wife and six children. The business will go on without interruption, continued by his two sons, who have been associated with him heretofore. The elder of these sons is a remarkable watchmaker — “better than I ever was,” Mr. Bowman often stated; and the energy and good business methods of the sons will no doubt fulfil all the hopes and aspirations of the father. Funeral services were held Friday, at the Longenecker’s church.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 15th May 1901

Trev.

H.Z. Rhoads & Brother - Lancaster, Pa. - 1879

Trev.

H.Z. Rhoads & Bro. - Lancaster, Pa. - 1878

Trev.