1893 World’s Fair Silverplate Souvenir Spoons

Print PDF

The Leonard Mfg. Co. in Chicago offered Victorian ladies great deals on sets of silver souvenir spoons commemorating the 1893 World’s Fair. In 1895, a set of 6 souvenir spoons was offered for 99 cents. The original price on a set of 6 was $9.00. With the purchase of 6 sets at 99 cents per set, the buyer could choose a silver cake basket, berry dish aka bride’s basket or another set of spoons as a premium.

Description for the spoons shown with this antique ad (right):

The spoons are standard after-dinner coffee size, heavily coin silver plated, with gold plated bowls. Each spoon has a different World’s Fair building exquisitely engraved in the bowl, and the handles are finely chased, showing a raised head of Christopher Columbus, with the dates 1492-1893, and the World’s Fair City. The set is packed in an elegant plush-lined case.

After-dinner coffee spoons are about 4 1/4 inches long. The buildings on the spoons are from left to right: Manufacturers and Liberal Arts; Machinery Hall; Administration Building; Transportation Building; Art Palace and Fisheries Building.

The ad further states: An inexpensive gift that will give pleasure and be of utility, and at the same time suggest appropriateness.

Also printed with this antique 1895 advertisement were letters from satisfied customers:

June 27, 1895Gentlemen:

I received the spoons O.K. and am more than pleased with them. I am delighted.  I presented one set as a bridal present, and they attracted more attention and admiration than any of the other presents. Enclosed please find post office order for the amount of $6.00 for which you will please forward six sets of your “World’s Fair” souvenir spoons and the cake basket, which you offer as a premium for same.

Lillie V. Croft
318 Fayette St.
Staunton, VA

————

July 2, 1895

To the Messrs. Leonard Mfg. Co.

I received the spoons and berry dish in good condition. Many thanks for your kindness. Please find money order for six more sets, with which you will also send the spoons as premium. By so doing you will oblige.

Mrs. Dr. August Horn
732 W. Mulberry St.
Baltimore, MD

————

July 8, 1895

Gentlemen:

I received your card this morning in regard to the spoons sent us. The spoons came all right, and we were well pleased with them. Mrs. Seckner showed them to a few of her lady friends, and all wanted them, but all did not feel as though they could take them.

Rev. H.D. Seckner
Fort Morgan, Colo.

For more history about antique American silver souvenir spoons and spoons for sale, see SouvenirSpoons.com

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 9th, 2007 at 1:07 pm and is filed under Reference Articles, Silver Smalls and Collectibles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.