Strange duty mark on Newcastle spoon

[rat-tail]

Hi - Have found Silver Forum a wonderful resource and have appreciated everyone's fascinating insights for some months now. But this my first post. What do the experts make of this really funny looking duty mark on this Newcastle tablespoon - possibly a forerunner to Donald Duck. Also no date letter is struck. Is it genuine, but rubbed, a duty dodge or a fake, and any insight as to maker or date - Maker is D.L in a circular punch - I would guess c1800. Thanks Frank



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[buckler]

Maker is almost certainly Dorothy LANGLANDS, the widow of John LANGLANDS II whose business she continued after his death in 1804. Dorothy died in 1845, aged 76, although she had ceased business as a silversmith and retailer around 1814 when her last assays were made. I think you can confidently date this spoon to 1804 - 1814

What the intrusion etc on the Duty Mark is I cannot tell.
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[rat-tail]

Buckler - many thanks
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