What was the earliest use of the "Sterling" stamp on silver flatware? I remember reading a discussion on this forum a couple of months ago regarding this subject but I didn't have a vested interest at that time and can not relocate that discussion. Seems they were saying that the Sterling stamp didn't start until after 1865 but that they had a Sterling piece from the mid-1850's. And, since American silversmiths had their roots in Great Britain, then it would not be a surprised if they used such a mark if the piece was re-made from an earlier item that had been hallmarked, rather than smelted coin.
I now have a Teaspoon in the Old English pattern and C. W. Baldwin was the Retailer that sold it. Charles Wyllis Baldwin was a Jeweler in New Britain, CT and Berlin, CT from 1831-1856, according to:
http://www.sterlingflatwarefashions.com/Ret/RetB1.html That being the case this spoon had to be sold before 1856 and was Sterling. Is this spoon unusual or am I missing something? Thanks.
