E Whiton ladle -- sterling or coin silver?

[ack]

Hello:

We inherited this ladle from my husband's family. The only marking it has says "E Whiton" on the back of the ladle. I found a site that said that the E Whiton Company manufactured silver between 1813 and 1879.

I would like to know if this is coin silver or if it is sterling silver (or was anything considered to be "sterling" at that point in American history?)

Thanks so much.




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[JLDoggett]

During that period almost all American silver was of coin quality. Something made in sterling would have been marked as such to signified its additional silver content and hence its higher value.
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[dognose]

Hi,

Welcome to the Forum.

Check out: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.anc ... /99503.htm

Trev.
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[silverly]

The mark on this spoon looks like it has a ribbon cartouche. If that is the case, this may be another possibly earlier mark for Ezra or it could be the mark for Ezra's brother Ebed.
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[silverly]

Marks of American silversmiths in the Ineson-Bissell Collection‎ Louise Conway Belden 1980, - Page 444 apparently shows a couple examples of Ebed's marks. I don't have the book myself, but I wouldn't be surprised if somebody on the forums doesn't have access to it. If not there's always the library and etc.

I did mean ladle in my earlier post and not spoon.
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[ack]

Thank you for all of your help. I have a much better idea about this piece now. This forum is great!
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