Important Reference Work on Pre-Elizabethan Silver, George E. P. How and Jane B. How, English and Scottish Silver Spoons, Mediaeval to Late Stuart, and Pre-Elizabethan Hallmarks on English Plate, London: the author, 1952-1957, limited edition 230 of 550, complete in three volumes, folio, in blue cloth, the spines with red label with gilt lettering and rule, the edges cut, the top edges gilt, presented in the original buff paper wrappers with black lettering, 16-1/4" x 12-5/8". Ex libris: Ruth Wilkins Sullivan, Fort Worth, Texas. This monumental work, which remains the definitive reference on pre-16th century English silver spoons, was compiled by silver expert and dealer Commander George Evelyn Paget How (1894-1953) and his wife, Jane Penrice Benson How, who met when preparing the Sotheby's sale catalogue for the John Bennett-Stanford collection of early spoons in 1935. How of Edinburgh were the premier dealers in pre-Reformation silver spoons, providing articles and advice to the top collectors and institutions of the 20th century. After the Commander's death, Mrs. How completed the work, and continued to serve on the Antique Plate Committee at Goldsmith's Hall (and become a breeder of prize English mastiffs). Her personal silver spoon collection, the Benson Collection, was offered at Christie's London, King St., on June 3, 2013. This particular copy of Silver Spoons is accompanied by correspondence and invoices (some on How of Edinburgh letterhead) detailing the purchase of the set in 1969 - by which time it was already quite scarce - by Ruth S. Wilkins (later Sullivan) directly from How. Mrs. Wilkins Sullivan was herself a prominent figure in the field of antique silver scholarship, co-author of the seminal Chinese Export Silver 1785-1885 and long-time curator at the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas. Mrs. Wilkins Sullivan's estate - including her personal silver collection and reference library - were offered by New Orleans Auction Galleries in July 2013.