Collection of GAR Reunion Commemorative Spoons, Some Sterling 

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American History: Live Salesroom Auction

By Cowan's Auctions

Jul 21, 2014 - Jul 22, 2014

Set Reminder 2014-07-21 17:00:00 2014-07-22 17:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : American History: Live Salesroom Auction https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/american-history-live-salesroom-auction-62
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• Lot Description
  Lot of 45, of which 12 are sterling silver.  Sterling spoons include three GAR spoons: 5.75 in.; 5.25 in. with "Grace " engraved in the bowl and "1908" on the back of the bowl; 4 in. with "The Capitol, Washington, DC" in the bowl. Another 4 in. spoon has a different view of the Capitol, primarily the dome, with a statue off to the side. There is also a view of the North Portico of the White House, and the front of the Supreme Court building - representing all three branches of government.
  
  The smallest spoon in this group is just under 3.75 in. The handle has sunflowers and the bowl is engraved with "High Water Mark / 1863 / Gettysburg 1863." The rest of the design is a bit obscure, but one element might be an open Bible.
  
  A 5.75 in. spoon also commemorates Gettysburg. At top is  Genl. G.K. Warren, below him "Jenny Wade House," then "High Water Mark" and 1863. The back of the handle has the PA State Memorial, Gen. George Meade on his horse, and the Soldiers' Monument.
  
  A 5.25 in. spoon with a device at top with "1" in center, and Paratus, N., G., P. and V. in the four arms. Center of handle with Veteran Corps First Regiment. Bowl with Silver Anniversary April 19 1900.
  
  A 5.75 in. sugar spoon has a portrait at top (probably Grant) and banners below with "Defender of his Country."
  
  5.75 in. spoon with bowl engraved with a statue of Lee on Traveller, "R.E. Lee" at bottom of plinth. Handle outlined with acanthus leaf scrollwork, engraved "Anna / 1892" within the scrolling.
  
  A 5.5 in. spoon with figure at top, Dr. Mary Walker Oswego, NY along narrow part; engraved "Libbie" on back of handle. Mary Edwards Walker (1832-1919) is currently the only woman to have been awarded the Medal of Honor. She volunteered as a Surgeon in the Army at the outbreak of the war, becoming the first female army surgeon, and was captured by Confederate forces when she crossed the lines to treat wounded civilians. Not surprisingly she supported abolition before the war, and was a feminist and suffragette later. She also supported prohibition.
  
  A 6 in. spoon has a full standing statue of Lee at top and bowl with a brown pelican feeding her young, an alligator, and "New Orleans" on a drape across the pedestal.
  
  And a 6 in. spoon with soldier at top, "Jasper" along handle and "Fort Sumter" and a view of the island fortification in the bowl. Fort Sumter saw the first official shots fired in the Civil War ("Bleeding Kansas" never seems to count!). Battery Jasper was built in the 1890s as part of the Coastal Defense system, and is now part of Fort Sumter National Monument.
  
  Four spoons not marked sterling are from the Pittsburgh National Encampment. A 6 in. spoon depicts a Civil War soldier on the handle, bowl with 28th Encampment / G.A.R. / Pittsburgh / 1894.
  
  A similar spoon also has the GAR soldier for the handle, bowl with eagle on a sword, cannon balls stacked below, and "Gusky's 1894."
  
  (Three same) 6 in. spoons have a rifle for the handle, bayonet extending onto the bowl. Handle with 28th National Encampment GAR 1894. Bowl with seal and "Pittsburgh."
  
  A 6 in. copper-colored spoon has openwork interlocked GAR at top with eagle perched on it. Bowl with exploding bomb, and 28th Natl. Encampment Pittsburgh on the rays coming from the exploding bomb. (Two same)
  
  One 4.5 in. spoon with GAR symbols on handle and "Logan's Statue / Aug. 27th 1900 / Chicago" in bowl.
  
  A 5.5 in. spoon with a rifle for a handle from Washington, DC, 1892 encampment.
  
  Four spoons from Louisville, 1895: one with shield in bowl of two soldiers shaking hands (later GAR symbol). A 5.75 in. spoon with GAR soldier on handle, and elaborate "monogram-style" GAR in bowl with "Louisville 1895." A 6 in. copper-colored spoon with Lincoln Cabin 1895 in bowl, plus a very similar spoon in 4.5 in. size.
  
  One 6 in. spoon with state seal of Minnesota and sheaf of wheat, plus GAR on handle. Bowl with Thirtieth National Encampment / St. Paul / Fort Snelling in bowl with image of Snelling.
  
  Seven spoons from Buffalo, 1897. One 6 in. with profile on handle (Grant?), and monument with 31st National Encampment / Buffalo in bowl. And six 4.5 in. spoons: two with GAR Encampment Buffalo August 23rd to 28th 1897, buffalo head and GAR star in center of bowl, acanthus leaf scrolling around handle; one with 31st National GAR Encampment 1897 and GAR badge in bowl, buffalo head and "Buffalo" on handle; three similar to previous one, but with "Greater" above the buffalo head on handle.
  
  Plus four spoons from 32nd National Encampment, Cincinnati, 1898. Two are 5.25 in. with Suspension Bridge on handle, Garfield monument in bowl and 32nd National Encampment 1898. Plus two 4.5 in. spoons: one with GAR badge on handle and "National Encampment," "The Fountain, 1898, Cincinnati, O." and an image of the "Genius of Water" fountain in the bowl; and second with various GAR symbols on handle and 32nd National Encampment / Sept. 5 to 10 1898 / Cincinnati, O. and GAR intertwined in bowl.
  
  Five 4.5 in. spoons from Philadelphia, 1899, with same GAR handle as last Cincinnati spoon, and four with National Encampment / Philadelphia / City Hall / 1899 in bowl. Fifth has same handle, but Independence Hall in bowl. All 5 of these with "Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot" on handles.
  
  Plus one 4.5 in. spoon with flower and leaf design on handle and "Grant's Tomb" in bowl. 

  Condition

  Some a bit worn. A few might have been gold-washed, not mostly worn. Overall very good; none with major dents or bends.
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• Buyer's Premium

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    $250,001	23.00
    $3,000,001	15.00