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Item: Teaspoon Description: Old English Pattern -
Darby Patent spoon Hallmark: Sheffield
1785 by William Darby Dimensions: 130mm long Comments: A rare example of an important Darby Patent spoon. In 1785 William Darby of Sheffield patented a method of machine stamping spoons. Spoons that were made using this method are stamped with the appropriate Sheffield hallmarks (including an incuse duty mark), his maker's mark and a "PATENT" stamp. Judging by the paucity of extant examples this patent was not entirely successful but it lead the way for the mass production of flatware in the later 19th century. A full description and copy of the original patent can be seen in "Silver Flatware 1660-1980" by Ian Pickford (pages 20-22). This spoon is in good order although the marks are a little worn (but all legible) - hence the low price!
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