Mark reads H.P.Ehas.

[needtoknow]

Help please in identifying this mark. 5.75 inch long bright cut twisted stem teaspoon. Mark reads H.P.Ehas.

http://community.webshots.com/album/563285505vQaNwB
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[2209patrick]

Hello.

I think that's H P Elias. My reference only says c.1840, location unknown.
I believe your spoon is coin silver.

Pat.
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[admin]

Hi,
I read it as Elias also, the form is a little later, 1850-60s and the type favored by Ohio Valley makers. Wouldn't be surprised if Duhme was the maker and Elias the retailer.
Regards, Tom
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[silverly]

Duhme as the maker and Elias as the retailer does look like it is most likely. Henry P Elias was born in Wales in about 1832 and was serving a jewelry dealer apprenticeship with Joseph Draper in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1850. Henry P Elias can be found in directories and census's in Cincinnati at least until 1870. Henry's brothers Richard H and Moses were also jewelers.
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[dognose]

Duhme & Co. - Cincinnati - 1870

Trev.

[wev]

Henry P Elias was born in Wales in about 1832 and was serving a jewelry dealer apprenticeship with Joseph Draper in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1850.

To correct the record, the Wales born Henry P. Elias in Duhme's household is listed as an apple dealer in the 1850 census, not an apprentice. He is listed as late as 1880 in the county as a farmer. The correct Henry P. is the brother of Richard (in whose home he is living in the 1850 census where both are listed as jewelers), William, and Ellis, all born in Ohio. Henry, Richard, and Ellis eventually moved on to New York City, where they were central figures in the Geneva Watch Company scandal in 1872. Henry appears to have died before 1880, but Richard and Ellis are in the census there as jeweler and fancy goods dealer respectively. The latter's dubious reputation followed him till his death a year later, to judge by articles on his contested estate that ran in the Times.

[wev]

he is living in the 1850 census

I beg your pardon -- that should read 1870 census.

[silverly]

You got me there with the 1850 census except that it is Draper's household. My eyes saw what they wanted to see; that's my depravity. Who knows what the enumerator may have interjected in that regard as well.

Unless you are going on a primary record of some sort, I think I'll stick with Wales for the place of birth. That is where his parents and at least two siblings were born.

I am certain that Henry P Elias is listed as a watchmaker in the 1853 Cincinnati Business Directory and beyond as stated earlier.