S.W. Heath & Co?

[WarrenKundis]

This 8.375" coin silver serving spoon belongs to a friend. Her maternal great grandmothers monogram AWW stands for Anna West Winslow (1820-1900). She is a direct decedent of Kenelm Winslow who landed with the second or third wave of colonists in approximately 1629. Two of his brothers arrived on thejfirst Mayflower. Anna was married on 23 Oct 1849, this spoon may have been a wedding gift. The date may help us nail down a timeline for its creation by S.W. Heath & Co.

[WarrenKundis]

Interesting to note the two tears on either side of the stem and the buckle in the bowl itself. This very thin metal may have been crushed in someone's hand or slammed on a flat surface then bent back. Anna West Winslow was an interesting woman who did not actually marry until after she had already had a career as a school principle. Had her two sons then went to a second career as a physician and was still practicing in Boston in 1880.

[dragonflywink]

Always nice to have a family piece. Not where I can check my references at the moment, so someone else will probably have more information, but a quick search finds note on Historic New England of a "Billhead for S.W. Heath & Co., importers of china, glass and crockery ware, Union Block, Bath, Maine, dated May 24, 1851", additionally noting, "Heath deals in lamps, cutlery, watches and jewelry in addition to tableware. The business is located next to the North Sagadahock House in Bath, Maine." Other mention finds the firm still in business at least into the 1880s. The tears and wear pattern on the bowl are pretty typical of coin, they were often fairly thin metal.

~Cheryl

[WarrenKundis]

Thanks so much Cheryl, let's see if there is any indication that they were silversmiths as well. Have also seen damage on coin silver flatware, adds to it's charm. This spoon has had a very hard life.

Have a very good day.
Warren

[silverly]

This could be the company of Seneca W Heath who was a trader in Bath, Maine and later in New York City. His father was Caleb Heath a sea captain and a trader himself. Seneca was born in Bath in about 1822 and died in New York City in 1871. He was listed in New York City in the china business. Thus far I see no indication that he was a craftsman or manufacturer.

[WarrenKundis]

Thank you Silverly for clearing that up. By the way I indicated that Anna was my friend's great grandmother, actually great great grandmother.

A very good evening to you and Cheryl.
Warren