American Revolution
Choice Paul Revere, Jr. Hallmarked "REVERE" Decorative Monogrammed Clamshell Design Coin Silver Tablespoon
(PAUL REVERE, JR.) (1734 - 1818). Historic American Silversmith, Engraver, Bell Maker, and copper metal dealer of Boston; Patriot and Soldier of Revolutionary War Era Massachusetts being an original founding "Son of Liberty"; best known for his famous "Paul Revere's Ride" providing the warning "The British are Coming !"
c. 1780 Late 18th Century, authentic Paul Revere, Jr. made Coin Silver Tablespoon with a rat tail handle and clamshell motif on the bowl, Hand-Engraved monogram by Revere reads "W W*M to LW", Choice Extremely Fine. This is perhaps the single finest quality Paul Revere Jr. Handmade Coin Silver Tablespoon, with his proper Hallmark "REVERE" stamped in the back of the handle, being the practice of the famous Boston Patriot Silversmith. This original period Tablespoon with spatula end down turned handle, weight of about 50 grams or 1.75 troy oz., measuring about 7.75" long. It is completely handcrafted by Paul Revere, mated with his best, most recognized authentic hallmark/punchmark: "REVERE". This ornately styled Tablespoon has a swag-form "Shell" design on the back of the elongated oval bowl. It has a rounded, upturned handle, the back with midrib, elliptical bowl, and the engraved letters, "W (slightly above) W-M to LW".
Its most important and impressive feature is its exceptionally clear hallmark/punchmark which is clearly and solidly stamped into the underside of the silver handle. This being the fullest and most distinctive major design type of all Paul Revere's hallmarks. It shows "REVERE" in all capital letters within a rectangular punch. This most desirable style "REVERE" hallmark shows every tiny detail to the naked eye and appears even finer in quality under magnification. For identification showing this similar Paul Revere, Jr. maker's mark, see: "Colonial Silversmiths and Jewelers" by Patricia E. Kane, Yale University Art Gallery, 1998, illustrated as mark C, displayed on page 795, among other references.
An excellent piece of historic early American Silver that is extremely clean and very even in actual light overall wear, it has only a few trivial shallow nicks on the bottom of the bowl, showing overall honest wear to the scalloped bottom device. The "REVERE" hallmark is superb in its strike and detail, being perhaps the finest as such we have offered. A similar example in another major auction recently sold for in excess of $26,000 due to high collector demand. Truly a "Museum quality" highlight and centerpiece for any historic Colonial Era American Silver and/or Paul Revere related collection.
Paul Revere, Jr. (January 1, 1735 - May 10, 1818) was an American Silversmith and Patriot in the American Revolution. Because he was immortalized after his death for his role as a messenger in the battles of Lexington and Concord, Paul Revere's name and his "midnight ride" are well-known in the United States as a patriotic symbol.
In his lifetime, Revere was a prosperous and prominent Boston craftsman, who helped organize an intelligence and alarm system to keep watch on the British military. Revere later served as an officer in one of the most disastrous campaigns of the American Revolutionary War, a role for which he was later exonerated. After the war, he was early to recognize the potential for large-scale manufacturing of metal.