Les sources iconographiques des portraits fictifs du père jésuite Jacques Marquette

1891-1902 Howard Sterling Co. pour George N. Conklin

Cuiller souvenir historique Father Marquette et Light House Point Marquette Michigan, argent, longueur 4"3/8, collection Robert Derome.

Cette cuiller est la petite soeur de 1891-1902 Durgin-Conklin. On peut donc lui appliquer les mêmes informations à propos de George N. Conklin, sa boutique et sa mise en marché ; le modèle source de 1884 Melchers pour l'effigie de Marquette ; la date de fabrication et l'historique des cuillers souvenirs aux États-Unis. Les différences : dimension plus petite ; forme du manche ; fabricant ; motif illustré sur le cuilleron.

« Established Jan 1, 1878 as H. Howard & Co., with Hiram Howard, A.J. Scherrieble and Arnold Nocouud, to manufacture plated jewelry. Jan 1 1879 Arnold Nicoud withdrew and a limited partnership was formed with Sterns Hutchins. The firm name was Howard & Scherrieble until the expiration of the limited partnership on Jan 1 1884, when Hutchins retired and Stephen C. Howard, son of the senior member of the firm, was admitted as a partner. On Feb 5, 1884, Scherrieble withdrew and the firm name was changed to Howard & Son. In July 1886, a department was established for the manufacture of sterling silverware and was conducted under the title of The Sterling Company. During the fall of 1888, the firm discovered that their combined industries had outgrown their limited accommodations and on Jan 1, 1889 they moved to a new factory. In Jan 1891 the concern was incorporated as Howard & Son and continued under that name until December 1891 when they disposed of the electroplated goods branch of the business to Parks Bros & Rogers, and at the same time, the name of the corporation was altered to that of Howard Sterling Co. The company went into receivership about 1901-02. Some of the patterns and dies were sold to the Roger Williams Silver Co and others. Lever cuff and collar buttons were specialties of this company. One in particular, the 'Sensational' collar button, was constructed of rolled gold plate, the shoe and post were drawn from a single piece of stock, while the top or head was made from another piece and firmly secured without the use of solder -- all the work being done by a machine invented for the purpose by S. Cottle (q.v.). They also made great quantities of silverware, both table and ornamental. » Rainwater 1998 avec la collaboration de Deborah Quinn.

Collection Robert Derome. Photo : collaboration de Deborah Quinn.

Le manche de cette cuiller est identifié à Father Marquette par son effigie et son nom, alors que le cuilleron illustre le site pittoresque de Light House Point dans la ville de Marquette, au Michigan, où Conklin tenait boutique. Ce qui est corroboré grâce à ces autres cuillers et photographies.

« LIGHTHOUSE FATHER MARQUETTE OLD STERLING SOUVENIR SPOON is a beautiful sterling silver spoon from Marquette Michigan dating back to early years of 1900 featuring on the handle embossed very detailed image of standing priest and FATHER MARQUETTE down the handle. In the bowl it has embossed is very detailed waterfront scenery with lighthouse, there is no writing but I think it is LIGHT HOUSE POINT MARQUETTE MICHIGAN. Measures 4 1/2 inch long and condition of the spoon is excellent. On the back marked STERLING, makers hallmarks and GEO. N. CONKLIN MARQUETTE, MICH. » Source.

« Souvenir spoon c. 1900. Beautiful petite silver spoon bears a relief image of the “Light House Point, Marquette , Michigan.” on the dish. This finely detailed little piece shows a distant view of the lighthouse perched on the high bluff. A nicely detailed view, other buildings and landforms compliment the scene. The handle of the spoon is edged with a decorative border. On the top of the handle, there are various thistle plants impressed in the sterling. Marked "Sterling", measures roughly 5"1/8 long. » Source.