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Two David Hall Bird-Decorated Place Spoons, with a Henry Ormsby American Coin Silver Teaspoon. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, circa 1770 and 1835; 9-7/8 inches and 5-5/8 inches long; 4.65 troy ounces. Condition: Some rubbing to each David Hall spoon with some light wear to undersides of bowls from table contact; Light dent to bowl of the Ormsby spoon, light bend to stem, manufacture-related seam to reverse terminal. This lot comprises two David Hall place spoons (9-7/8 inches) monogrammed W to terminals in period script, reverses of bowls near stems with cast and chased fowl, stamped within square cartouches D.HALL; and one Henry Ormsby teaspoon, engraved to terminal AK in period script. Marked to reverse: H. ORMSBY. 362. N2NDST. followed by retailer stamp W&H. Eric P. Newman believes that the silversmith, David Hall, was a partner with William Sellers in a printing firm that produced colonial paper money. However, the silversmith and the printer were likely two different individuals. Henry Ormsby, a Philadelphia jeweler and watchmaker, was born in Pennsylvania about the turn of the 19th century. A Philadelphia death certificate records his birth as 1800 and his death on March 27, 1880. The 1850 Census records his birth in Pennsylvania about 1801 and his occupation as a watchmaker. The 1860 Census is consistent with that recorded a decade earlier. His numismatic connection, if any, is uncertain. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15063, realized $690. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.