Lesson learned. :/

[sapphire]

OK, found this.  Would likely explain how they came to that conclusion, but what's to say they aren't actually his own work??

http://www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk/Makers/London-GE-GJ.html

George Gray   1782..1806
                   (registered Oct 1782)          Flatware, jug      Often overstruck on the work of Hester and Peter & Ann Bateman

[sapphire]

A few more tidbits......

http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14766

http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3549

"N. B. Every shopkeeper who shall strike his own mark over the workman's mark, is liable to a penalty of ten pounds, unless his own mark is entered at Goldsmiths' Hall.


It is the last line of this notice that is of interest here. This perhaps is the answer as to why some of the provincial silversmiths, like Thomas Ollivant of Manchester, registered at the LAO even though they did not appear to have any work assayed there, instead choosing to use the office at Chester, as noted by Mike (MCB), for the assay of his own work.

I had always assumed that silversmiths, like Ollivant, registered at London purely because, at this time, there was a certain kudos about 'London Made' pieces, but could not understand why they did not use oversize punches, as did George Gray, if the intent was to make the public think that they had a manufactory in London."


And another.......which should make your head spin even more (because it seems the topic was having the same effect here too)

http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5488

[sapphire]

This is really bugging me!!       I'm on vacation, it's gorgeous and sunny outside and I have a million things to get at, but damn ....... I can't stop digging. 


A much better example of a George Gray over Hester Bateman.....Now you'd think if he wanted to totally obliterate her mark, it could easily have been accomplished

http://www.steppeshillfarmantiques.com/silver-and-porcelain/d/george-iii-marrow-scoop-hester-bateman-overstamped/82495/162586

[sapphire]

Another example of the same.....but you also might find this page helpful in identifying some of her works as you continue collecting.

http://www.ascasonline.org/articoloGENNA142.html

[sapphire]

I think we have possibly gone waaaay off topic, but until we're caught...........

Came across a nice little bio on Hester. You've probably already seen this in your searching

http://www.bexfield.co.uk/01/article6.htm


And another, that has other family info and links to items currently for sale

http://www.antiquesilverspoons.co.uk/spoonmakers.htm#Bateman


The day is flying by but I'm having too much fun 

http://acn.liveauctioneers.com/index.php/columns-and-international/cowans-corner/1373-cowans-corner-english-silver-by-hester-bateman

[hosman321]

Thank you so much for doing all that research sapphire! I really appreciate it and learned a lot.
I feel really stupid right about now. Although I haven't paid, I am already having buyer's remorse. Do you see the problem with these spoons? 
I didn't notice until after I clicked "BUY IT NOW."
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150655958562
Grrrrrr! Were these made this way?? Were they altered? I have seen letters engraved on the back of the handle before but never thought that the entire handle could have been reversed. Although the stamps are on the back as they should be. Maybe a "recycled" handle? Smoothed out the previous marks and added their own?

[hosman321]

Here are a few more...Maybe the underside engraving and backwards curl was normal? Just looks...backwards.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-French-Silver-tea-coffee-Spoon-1800-/150600230818?pt=Antiques_Silver&hash=item23107927a2
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1740s-English-Sterling-Silver-Spoon-Marmaduke-Daintry-/260842187031?pt=Antiques_Silver&hash=item3cbb67e917

[hosman321]

Speaking of the George Gray overmarks, this one looks very much like a Hester Bateman spoon and I can see a mark under his.
Hey, I'm slowly gettin' the hang of this! They want far too much for a damaged, overmarked spoon though. http://www.ebay.com/itm/ENGLISH-STERLING-TABLE-SPOON-GEORGE-GRAY-1787-/350482683194?pt=Antiques_Silver&hash=item519a65553a

[hosman321]

Ok, ok. They are not backwards. Crisis averted. About 90 percent of the Ebenezer Coker spoons I see online are just like those with the engraving undernearth and the upturned tip.