Edinburgh Spoons

[Goggles]

These Edinburgh serving spoons carry an Edinburgh hallmark for 1812.

Is there any information available about the maker?

[juantotree]

Hi

The maker is Francis Howden, known for making flatware amongst other things.

Martin

[silvermakersmarks]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Francis Howden was an active and prolific Edinburgh silversmith. The Incorporation of Goldsmiths of the City of Edinburgh has this brief biography on its web site:

"HOWDEN, Francis, Edinburgh, 1781-1848. Son of John Howden, farmer in Hermiston, born 1758. Apprenticed to Alexander Aitchison II in or before 1773. Freeman 24 Feb.1781. For about three years in 1782-84 he was in business with John Taylor, a partnership which ended when Taylor died. Deacon 1811-13 and prime mover in establishing the Incorporation's Widow's Fund, for which service he was, in 1817, presented by his fellow freemen with a piece of plate worth 20 guineas. Died 14 Sep.1848, aged about 90."

Phil

[dognose]

See also: viewtopic.php?f=38&t=31210&p=130639&hilit=howden#p130639

and: viewtopic.php?f=38&t=8565&p=85336&hilit=howden#p85336

Trev.

[Goggles]

Thanks for the responses.
It all adds to the pleasure of ownership.