EXTENSIVE GORHAM "JOSEPHINE", AND POSSIBLY OTHER, COIN SILVER AND STERLING 252-PIECE ASSEMBLED FLATWARE SERVICE, pattern designed by John Gorham in 1855, most pieces with personalized engravings to handles; coin silver pieces comprising six 8 1/8"-8 1/4" place forks, 20 7 1/2" place forks, 18 6 3/4" luncheon/dessert forks, two 6 5/8" forks, six 6 1/4" youth/tea/salad forks, 18 seafood/cocktail forks, six pie/pastry forks, a large pie/pastry fork, ten soup/dessert spoons, 23 teaspoons, 22 egg spoons, 15 nut picks, 20 8 1/8" blunt-tipped knives with eight having engraved blades, 18 7 1/4" luncheon/tea knives with 12 having engraved blades, six fruit/fish knives, a butter spreader with engraved blade, five butter knives with engraved blades, a butter spreader and a butter knife with hollow handles, three serving forks with reticulated tops, a serving fork and a sardine fork with engraved tines, nine serving/tablespoons, two small tablespoons, two serving spoons with fluted shovel bowls, a serving spoon with leaf-form bowl, a serving/berry spoon with engraved bowl, five serving spoons with shell bowls, two shell sugar spoons, three sugar sifters with one being large sized, five salt spoons with one having shovel bowl, three sauce ladles with one being small sized, three shell-bowl sauce ladles with one being small sized, a ladle with reticulated shell bowl, two mustard ladles, two soup/punch ladles with one having shell bowl, a cheese scoop, a pastry/pie server, and a cake saw; sterling pieces consisting of three teaspoons. Each marked, most with "COIN" or "STERLING" marks, other marks include maker's/retailer's marks and/or "1855" or "55" patent date. Total weight excluding two hollow-handled pieces: 311.22 ozt. Together with five original period presentation boxes. 257 pieces total. Gorham & Co. / Gorham Mfg. Co., Providence, RI, and possibly others. Most mid/third quarter 19th century. Largest soup/punch ladle 12 1/2" L.
Provenance: The collection of the late Theodore "Ted" and Alvina Breckel, Oley, PA and Winnetka, IL.

Most in good to very good overall condition with minor to moderate wear, surface scratches, and other imperfections including bending, dents, worn spots to raised/engraved decoration, nicks, etc., one or a few pieces with possible repair; some pieces with possibly later gold-washed finishes; presentation boxes with wear, imperfections, and damage.