Value of or any information on 1836 Silver Spoons marked "Baldwin&Cowles"

[Billromigh]

I recently purchased at an auction 6 silver spoons. On the back they are all marked "Baldwin&Cowles". They also have "1836" in a script on the back. On the front they have the initials J.M written in a cursive script. I cannot find any information on these anywhere. Any information would be much appreciated thanks! -Bill

[ironlord1963]

    Would love to help but will need pics of the spoons,  Most likely they are silverplate, if not marked sterling or has hallmarks on them.  But a pic of the pattern will help, along with the hallmarks.

[Billromigh]

pic1

[Billromigh]

pic2

[Billromigh]

pic3

[Billromigh]

pic4

[hosman321]

I believe these are American. It looks like an American hallmark. I know, not much to go on but it can help narrow it down a bit. I'll get to lookin' up the maker.
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[hosman321]

http://www.smpub.com/ubb/Forum19/HTML/000061.html

[ironlord1963]

     The pattern is called Tipped, That pattern was used by pretty much all the silver and silverplate Co.  Esp. as Hotel Ware.  Have not looked into Co. but I think Hosman is already on that.

[ironlord1963]

Oh yea and let me add it looks like a Grapefruit spoon.

[Billromigh]

I can believe they were american made. might even be relevant to say they were Ohio made. I bought these in Ohio where I live and they had been passed down from a family who had lived all their years in ohio. Thanks so much.

[Billromigh]

After reading the forum hosman posted I now have a good idea to who made the spoons. So are these at all collectable? Or worth anything? i  still dont know if they are silver or just plated. thank!

[ironlord1963]

Well if truly they date to the early 1800's they would be sterling for sure, Plate did not really come around until 1847 at the earliest, and really not any great amount until the 1880's.  However basically sterling would be marked as such.

[Billromigh]

So assuming they are truly from 1836. I can say they are silver. So are they worth anything just because of there age? I cant find any others forsale. And because i cant find others im not sure if this makes them rare or simply not important?

[ironlord1963]

If they are sterling they would at least be worth about $20.00 in silver alone, if plate well less then $1.00, also this would depend on the maker Balwin&cowle too, which it appears to be rare.  All my sterling and Silverplate books does not list Baldwin&Cowle, several other Balwins but not with Cowle.  I will have to snoop around a bit more.  The problem is without the mark of sterling, They would be considered Plate, because the mark is what buyers will need to prove them as silver.