P Roker II 'Duty Dodger' Tablespoon

[rhodrit]

I have this interesting spoon




Other than the middle 'PR' all the marks are very legible. The 'PR' marks don't seem to have a pellet. They are unregistered marks according to Grimwade which I suppose could go with the idea of 'Duty Dodging' but I think they support Trev's view in this post:

http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic ... 260#p33260

as surely the clarity of the marks suggest P.Roker wasn't trying to hide the origin of the spoon. He stamped his name on it : )

Best Wishes,
Rhodri

[agphile]

According to Grimwade, P Roker II was dead by 1757 which is a bit before OE became fashionable and turning Hanoverian spoons became big business. Either his son P R III continued to use the punch or the marks are original, before turning, and there was a different reason for avoiding assay. Anyhow, an interesting spoon.