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From:
Subject: Re: [GM-L] Lincoln and Foss Silver
Date: Sun, 4 Nov 2001 22:34:23 EST

In a message dated 11/04/2001 10:47:32 AM Eastern Standard Time,
writes:

<< I have a small (possibly sugar) spoon that was passed down through my
Hall line. It is engraved with an H on the back and has the words
Lincoln & Foss and Sterling on the back of the handle. If family
information is correct that is came with the Halls when they came from
England it would be about 400 years old. I would not think that this
would be correct as I was also told in the 1950's that is was just over
200 years old. >>

Greetings from South Carolina. Congratulations on having a fine family
heirloom with a documentable history. Unfortunately, you have been
misinformed about its age. Your spoon was probably a little over 100 years
old in the 1950's and was made in America.

The silversmiths Lincoln & Foss were in Boston & later in St. Louis. Also,
marking .925 silver as "Sterling" did not come into practice until the 19th
century-- with general acceptance by 1860. Here follows information on the
company from three sources. [CAPS are mine]

>From "American Silver Flatware, 1837- 1920," by Noel D. Turner, A. S. Barnes
& Co., Inc., San Diego, 1972:

p. 262
"_______ FOSS
Lincoln & Foss
Haddock, Lincoln & Foss
c. 1850- 1865
Boston, Mass."

p. 281
"A. L. LINCOLN
Lincoln & Foss
Haddock, Lincoln & Foss
c. 1820- 1865
Boston, Mass.
St. Louis, Mo."

>From "Kovels' American Silver Marks, 1650 to the present," by Ralph & Terry
Kovel, Crown Publishers, Inc., NY, 1989:

p. 230
"Lincoln & Foss (c. 1850)
Boston, Mass.
A. L. LINCOLN
_____ FOSS"

p. 230
"A. L. LINCOLN
(c. 1820- 1850)
Boston, Mass.
(c. 1850- 1865)
St. Louis, Mo.
Lincoln & Foss (c. 1850)
Haddock, Lincoln & Foss (c. 1850- 1865)"

p. 135
"R. K. or J. M. ? FOSS
Boston, Mass.
Lincoln & Foss (c. 1850)
Haddock, Lincon & Foss (1850- 1865)"

>From "The Book of Old Silver," by Seymour B. Wyler, Crown Publishers, Inc.,
NY, 1937:

p. 301
"Lincoln & Foss
Boston, Mass. .........1829"

Hope you will find something of interest here. Don't be disappointed by its
age-- you have a fine example of American silver. Its value is enhanced by
your family connection. Use it, enjoy it & treasure it !
URQ

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