American Spoonmaker J.L

[dognose]

Hi,
I'm looking for some information on these American spoons.
The makers mark J.L is similar to Joseph Loring's mark as found on Wev's excellent site, but these are probably a little later.
The engraved initials S.C.Mc.H. are surrounded by a swirling pattern on one spoon only, the rest just having the same initials, this addition to this one spoon appears to be contemporary to the other engraved initials and looks as if it was done to make this one spoon stand out from the rest, I have never noticed this before and wondered if this was common on American spoons of this period.
Finally does the lozenge mark have any significance such as widows mark or tally mark?
These fiddle pattern spoons are 6" in length.
Any help would be appreciated.

Regards Trev.



Regards Trev.
.

[2209patrick]

Hello Trev.
We often see those type of pseudo marks on Canadian silver.

Not sure about this, just offering a possibility.
There was a John Leslie (1828-1895), Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, who used a similar mark.
He was born and raised in Aberdeen Scotland, immigrated to Canada in 1841.




1885 advertisement.


Pat.
.

[dognose]

Hi Pat,
Many thanks for the excellent information.
I do have a Leslie spoon, which I think may be a little later than this set, but it seems he had quite a long working life.
From my limited knowledge of American spoons, I would have thought this set to be 1820's, but I stand to be corrected.
The information on Leslie is great, I knew very little about him and wonder if he was the son of John Leslie who was working in Aberdeen 1774-1821.
Thanks again.
Regards Trev.


.

[dognose]

Hi Pat,
On rereading our posts there were two obvious points I failed to notice,
firstly the different spelling of Leslie on my spoon, another silversmith? maybe, also I did not notice the birth date, so maybe the grandson of the Aberdeen silversmith John Leslie?

Regards Trev.
.

[2209patrick]

Hello Trev.

I had the same thought about John Leslie, Ottawa Canada, being related to the John Leslie who worked in Aberdeen 1774-1821.
However, my books don't mention the relationship, so I can't confirm this.
All they say is he came here with his parents.

My books show two different John Leslie's. The one from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada who I mention above. Also listed, is a John Leslie shown as an apprentice, partner and successor to Robert Hendery, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Robert Hendery also came from Scotland.)
In 1898 the firm became part of Henry Birks & Sons. John remained with them as the manager of the silver manufacturing department until 1925. He then became a director of Birks. He died in 1939 at the age of 91.

My books state that most of his silver is said to bear the marks of the dealers for whom he made it.
Even when he was a partner with Hendery the marks used were just H&L.
My point here is that we really don't know how he spelled his last name.




This is only my opionion, but I suspect my books might have his last name spelled wrong.
I wonder if your J. Lesley spoon was made by him.
Notice the similarity of the psuedo marks with Hendery's and Birks.

Pat.
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[dognose]

Hi Pat,

It is interesting to note that with both Leslie's having Scottish origins, the Lion Rampant was the choice of mark, but the original set of J.L spoons is marked with the Lion Passant suggesting English origin.
Any thoughts on the engraving on the one spoon? or the lozenge mark?

Regards Trev.
.

[2209patrick]

Hello Trev.

Sorry, have no ideas on the lozenge mark or engraving.

Pat.
.