Richard Plint of Truro spoon?

[mk209]

I can’t find much about Richard Plint but here is a nice ratail spoon which I believe is by him. It is marked marked 3 times RP and matches the marks in Jacksons. 2 of the other marks are worn but feintly readable as RP. Has anyone more information about him? I’ve seen very few spoons by him and only 2 or 3 lacebacks so I’m guessing his work is rare to come across?





Matt.

[dognose]

An advertisement that gives a likely final working date for Richard Plint:



TO BE SOLD

The stock in trade, together with a great variety of very good working-tools, and utensils, belonging to Richard Plint, of Truro in the county of Cornwall, Goldsmith.

Any person that inclines to purchase the said stock, working-tools, and utensils, is desired to apply [at anytime before the last day of July 1762] to the said Richard Plint, at his dwelling-house in Truro, who will dispose of the same on very reasonable conditions, and forthwith leave off the trade.

N.B. Truro is a town of very great trade, and there is no Working-Goldsmith in the said town, or in any town within the distance of 30 or 40 miles.

Source: The General Evening Post - 21st-24th November 1761

Trev.

[mk209]

That’s interesting thanks Trev, it appears he had quite a long career but doesn’t seem to be much of his work surviving.

[dognose]

THE MAYORALTY OF TRURO

...........The resignation and death of Vincent seem to have upset the balance of power in the corporation, and the entries in the election books for the period are confusing. Zachary Williams was chosen to succeed Vincent, in March 1726, and at the same meeting Richard Plint was elected mayor. Williams, however, undertook the mayoral duties, and not until 12 August, 1727, was Plint sworn into the office by Williams, who is described as "then mayor." It would seem that Plint was actually mayor for two months only, as on the following 9 October he was succeeded by Henry Luke. These three mayors were officials connected with the port of Truro. Williams was collector of customs at a salary of £40 per year, but on 11 January, 1736-7, he was "dismissed for frauds and neglects," and was succeeded by Thomas Quarine, whose salary was raised to £50. Either Plint or his father was a goldsmith in Truro in 1705; he was appointed a tidesman in the port, 5 February, 1732-3, but was dismissed 15 January, 1735-6. The name of "Plint's Barn " is suggestive of the association of his family with the town.

Source: Journal of the Royal Institution of Cornwall - 1904

Trev.

[mk209]

Thanks Trev. It seems the majority of Richards work is around 1700 that you can find online that has been sold. This looks typical of c1710 onwards and is marked 3 times whereas most others are marked twice.