Around the year 1890, a nationwide fad saw its beginnings. U.S. silversmiths, echoing the style already blossoming in Europe, started manufacturing souvenirs in the form of spoons as mementos for special events as well as remembrances of places visited. Interest immediately soared and the business in souvenir spoons boomed for nearly 30 years. We still see spoons sold as souvenirs today, but they are generally quite ordinary in design and cheaply produced. They certainly cannot compare with their predecessors — the beautiful and often ornate spoons of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Each year many of the old souvenir spoons gain the status of “true antiques” (100 years old) and each year more and more people are drawn to the ranks of spoon collecting. No matter what one’s interests, there are probably many related spoons. Spoons were made as souvenirs for tourist attractions, political campaigns, religious occasions, fraternal gatherings, world’s fairs, and in commemoration of almost every event and person of note. There are a few good books in print for the souvenir spoon collector. If you are interested in spoons from world’s fairs, you might like a copy of my book, WORLD’S FAIR SPOONS, Vol. I: The World’s Columbian Exposition. If you collect the old souvenir spoons, no matter what the topic, you’ll surely want to be on my mailing list so you can receive my MAIL/PHONE AUCTIONS and have a chance to bid for and purchase some wonderful items for your collection. Also, if you have a great antique souvenir spoon or entire collection for sale, give me a try. I’m always in the market for any top-quality souvenir spoon, especially U.S. enamels, rarities, and topics of widespread interest.
I also sell souvenir spoons via Ebay.com using the ID “spoonman.” Take a look at my current
auctions.
New Mail/Phone Auction catalog is now available!
Closing date: Feb 15, 2008
VIEW CURRENT AUCTION
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Information for Collectors:
CLUBS:
Southern California: Trudy Geer, 3832 Denwood Avenue, Los Alamitos, CA 90720
Dallas: Mary Bengston, 9748 Broken Bow Road, Dallas, TX 75238
Seattle: Bob Corson, 2387 S. East Camano Dr., Camano Island, WA 98292
Northeastern: NSCG, c/o Norma Bowen, P.O. Box 12072, Albany, NY 12212
SouthWest: Debbie Pankey, 32 White Rock Trail, Allen, TX 75002
Chris McGlothlin
E-Mail:
mcspoons@chrismcglothlin.com