Silver Spoon Antiques

Lots of presentation pieces are lost over the years, a number remain in family possession, some have been given away, a lot sadly were melted down. We thought it would be good to list some of them, just in case they turn up somewhere. :)  The SS Gothenburg was shipwrecked off the coast of QLD in the 1870s. It was on a voyage from Palmerston (Modern day Darwin) to Adelaide. Of the 22 survivors, three were awarded gold bravery medals. We have a great image of the medals from the newspaper at the time, but no sign of them since them. Inscribed "for bravery at Wreck of the Gothenburg 24 Feb 1875". Hopefully they are still in the family rather than lost or melted down. We would love to hear if anyone knows that they still exist.  The three recipients for the medal were: Mr James Fitzgerald Mr John Cleland Mr Robert Brazil From left: Robert Brazil, John Cleland and James Fitzgerald in 1875

 Henry Newman opened his business not long after he arrived in Melbourne in 1852. He exhibited jewellery in 1866 at the Intercolonial Exhibition. In 1903, his advertisement lists him as watchmaker, jeweller, silver and goldsmith, optician, lapidary, diamond setting and opal merchant...quite a skill set!  Henry and his son, Fred, were also involved in the pearling industry in Western Australia - they were partners with an Adelaide gentleman in a big pearling fleet. He died in 1913 and the business was continued by his sons.  An adveristing card for Henry Newman, 1910 Source: http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-77779355 As well as a gold mark of a Newman bell, his jewellery and silver is often stamped 'NEWMAN'.  Below is an example of Henry's work colonial silver work. A small silver pill box. Inscribed for Nov 1898, it is stamped on the inside of the lid with 'ST.SILVER' and 'NEWMAN'.

There has not been a lot of material published on New Zealand Jewellers. In our silver travels, we come across a number of jewellers who also made sterling silver items. We will continue to provide a brief bio and example of the maker's marks of various NZ jewellers as we come across them.  Alex L Cooke took over the jewellery business of AG Barlett in 1895. The business was located on Devon Street, New Plymouth. He closed his business in 1927 when his shop was required by the Taranaki Amusements Company. Advertisement for AL Cooke in the Taranaki Herald, 30 Oct 1895 Below are three examples of his silver work and maker's mark, "A.L Cooke".  Sterling and Greenstone Souvenir Spoon by AL Cooke (images courtesy Dunbar Sloane Auctioneers) Set of serveitte rings and maker's mark A.L Cooke.  Presentation Trowel dated 1905 (Image courtesy Cordy's Auctions)

F & W Stewart, Jewellers, was established at 147 Charles Street, Launceston, in 1879 by brothers Frederic and William Stewart. The Stewart brothers are considered Tasmania's first medallists. The business prospered, and was listed as a shareholder in the Princess River Gold Mining Company in 1887. In 1902 the brothers purchased a property at 100 Charles Street, where the business remains to this day, still in family hands. According to Roger McNeice, it was described as a 'palatial jewellery establishment' and one of the finest in Australia. The company struck 'quite a few' medallions and medalets for local events and exhibitions during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The issues are of importance because they cover five major events: the Launceston Industrial Exhibition of 1886-67, the Jubilee of Queen Victoria 1887, the Tasmanian exhibition of 1891-92, the Centenary of Launceston 1906 and the Australian Natives' Association Exhibition, Launcest...