Featured Sterling Gorham tea strainer

I have heard them called "push presents". A neighbor of ours got a very nice piece of jewelry from her husband with each of her 3 children.

I think that would make a lovely present for her. Does she have a favorite brand of tea you could include?

 

I think that would make a lovely gift, coupled with a lovely china mug and a soothing tea.

 

Actually, Galt & Bro. produced their George Washington spoon in 1890, the year before the first Daniel Low Salem Witch spoon, and the Galt spoon was popular, but the Witch spoons really set off the souvenir spoon craze. This ad seems to show that they were still a bit ticked in 1904:




Both Salem Witch spoons and other pieces (they offered all sorts of Witch items like pins, match safes, letter openers, etc,) sold well for quite a few years - this ad is from 1908:




My Mom's orange spoons in both designs, the original by Durgin on the left, to the the right of the second design by Gorham, is a witch motif spoon by German firm Cristoph Widmann (she and her sister were both born on Halloween, two years apart):




As a collector of Viking-motif spoons, I'm a fan of Gorham's well-done Leif Ericson spoon, shown in this 1891 ad (I have the teaspoon with the ship in the bowl, but it's packed away):




Sorry for further hijacking, Book - and I also think it would be a lovely gift...

~Cheryl

 

Thank you for that information. I'll have to revise my file!

 

Eh, Daniel Low was a heavy advertiser, and no doubt their attractive designs, especially the second that you like so much (so do I), were the impetus for the rapid development of the souvenir spoon craze - the 1891 'James' souvenir spoon catalog also gave them full credit, and they happily took it. Though the James catalog, with over 200 spoons by various makers and retailers, wasn't officially published by Daniel Low, the back cover was gold-stamped with their offer to sell any of the spoons shown for the prices noted (suspect Gorham may have also had considerable influence on the publication). Understandable that Galt found Low's acclaim irksome...

~Cheryl

 

It's interesting to know what could be behind the wording in old advertisements.

And @Bookahtoo , I love the tea strainer, and your idea to give it in honor of the baby's birth!

 

I just had a thought about the cup & saucer. How about one with the flowers that represent the month? I just checked & July is either Larkspur or Water Lily.

I don't really care for the ones that have the month written on them, but surely you could find something quite appropriate with just either of those flowers.

 

My Mom and I both used to give sterling spoons, usually with the proper initial, with a cup and saucer, and some fancy teas - perhaps you might consider a 'Mother' cup...

https://www.google.com/search?q=ant...IAgMQ_AUoAXoECAsQAw&biw=1536&bih=706&dpr=1.25

~Cheryl

 

Great idea Cheryl!!

However I think you should avoid this one.

https://www.dreamstime.com/vintage-...-head-resting-inside-beautiful-image126980566

 

Definitely agree inappropriate for Book's daughter-in-law - but look down at my spoon-lady's feet...




~Cheryl

 

I adore these... can be customized! https://www.awesomeinventions.com/offensive-teacups/

 

Who knew this was a thing!!

 

@Bookahtoo - Were you ever able to find a cup & saucer for your DIL? If so did she seem pleased?

July seems like a century ago & I am sure you probably mentioned it at some point but hopefully, everything went well.