{"id":92033,"date":"2023-06-08T10:46:15","date_gmt":"2023-06-08T14:46:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=92033"},"modified":"2023-06-08T10:46:50","modified_gmt":"2023-06-08T14:46:50","slug":"did-your-ancestor-collect-souvenir-spoons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/did-your-ancestor-collect-souvenir-spoons.html","title":{"rendered":"Did Your Ancestor Collect Souvenir Spoons?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction:<\/em><\/strong> In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega writes about her collection of souvenir spoons, begun by her mother. Gena is a genealogist and author of the book \u201cFrom the Family Kitchen.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Does your family have a souvenir spoon collection? Maybe at a family member\u2019s home, or your own, there is a spoon holder attached to a wall that showcases tiny spoons from places where the family has traveled. My collection, started by my mom, includes spoons she collected in Europe as well as ones I\u2019ve picked up over the years.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: souvenir spoons (and four souvenir forks) from the author\u2019s collection. Credit: Gena Philibert-Ortega.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

These easily ignored souvenir trinkets actually have an interesting history, and they may reflect on your ancestor\u2019s travels and interests.<\/p>\n

American Souvenir Spoons<\/strong><\/p>\n

Souvenir spoons have their origin in mid-19th<\/sup> century Europe. \u201cWealthy Americans on a Grand Tour of Europe brought home these souvenirs marked with the names of cities and some of the famous landmarks they had seen.\u201d (1) Eventually American silversmiths caught on to the idea. The first American souvenir spoon was created in 1889 to mark the 100th<\/sup> anniversary of George Washington\u2019s presidency. (2)<\/p>\n

A few American souvenir spoons existed in 1890, and by 1891 souvenir spoons had been created to commemorate \u201ccities and towns, famous people, historical events and significant events of the time.\u201d (3)<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: souvenir spoons from the author\u2019s collection. Credit: Gena Philibert-Ortega.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One example is described in this 1891 Plain Dealer<\/em> article that proclaimed the souvenir spoon craze was increasing. The article begins by discussing one of the earlier American souvenir spoons depicting the Salem (Massachusetts) witches, in response to a poem by Oliver Wendall Homes published in the Atlantic Monthly<\/em>. The spoon is described as having a straight handle \u201clike a broomstick, and at its upper end was a tiny figure of a Salem witch sitting on a rock and holding a broom diagonally across her breast.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio), 16 March 1891, page 3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The article discussed other local souvenir spoons for Boston (with a bean pot on the handle and the old South church in the bowl), Plymouth (with the Mayflower<\/em>), and Newburyport (with the old chain bridge).<\/p>\n

According to the website for the PBS show History Detectives<\/em>, the 1893 Chicago World\u2019s Fair marked the golden age of souvenir spoon collecting and introduced spoons to an audience of 27 million visitors. (4) Prior to the fair an estimated 180,000 spoons were ordered, but it was believed that 500,000 were eventually produced for the concessions.<\/p>\n

This 1893 Trenton Times<\/em> article refers to 100 designs for the Fair, and a search of an online auction website shows numerous spoons that depict Christopher Columbus and the words \u201c1893 World\u2019s Fair,\u201d with the bowl of the spoon depicting various buildings at the Fair, such as Manufacturers & Liberal Arts, the Art Palace, the Administration Building, the Mines and Mining Building, as well as others.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Trenton Times (Trenton, New Jersey), 3 March 1893, page 4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Why were souvenir spoons so popular? This 1893 Buffalo News<\/em> article describing a variety of spoons stated:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe spoon is a pretty lasting and suitable gift for either a lady or a gentleman friend upon almost any occasion. When other gifts have decayed with fashion fancies or worn out with wear, the spoon will still adorn the table of the sick room as a happy reminder of the thoughtful giver.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"An<\/a>
Buffalo News (Buffalo, New York), 29 May 1893, page 3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Collecting Spoons<\/strong><\/p>\n

Today, you might find souvenir spoons at an airport or a tourist gift shop \u2013 but when they began, spoons were sold by jewelers, silversmiths, and even given away as a premium by newspapers. This example from 1893 is for the Columbian Souvenir Spoon (the 1893 World\u2019s Fair was called the Columbian Exposition, celebrating the 400th<\/sup> anniversary of Christopher Columbus\u2019 arrival in the \u201cNew World\u201d). This premium was given to those who subscribed or renewed to the Weekly Wisconsin<\/em> newspaper and the Ladies Home Companion<\/em> for $1. Subscribers received the spoon as a free gift.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Watertown Republican (Watertown, Wisconsin), 26 July 1893, page 7<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Other newspapers also offered souvenir spoons as premiums or for purchase, including sets of spoons for each of the states.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Commoner (Lincoln, Nebraska), 1 May 1915, page 29<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If your ancestor collected spoons, they may have joined a souvenir spoon club. In this 1906 example from Duluth, Minnesota, the club members met at different homes to play cards and the hostess would receive a spoon.<\/p>\n

Genealogy Tip:<\/em><\/strong> Local club activity notices in newspapers can be helpful in learning more about your ancestor\u2019s interests and memberships. In some cases, it might even lead to records.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Duluth News Tribune (Duluth, Minnesota), 3 November 1906, page 7<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Did Your Family Collect Spoons?<\/strong><\/p>\n

It appears the golden age of souvenir spoons ended after World War I. That doesn\u2019t mean people no longer collected them, they just weren\u2019t as much of a fad as they had been previously. Why? I\u2019m not sure, but it\u2019s possible other collectibles took their place.<\/p>\n

Did your family collect spoons? What\u2019s in their collection? What can you learn about their interest or travels from their spoons? Please let me know in the comments below.<\/p>\n

Explore over 330 years of newspapers and historical records in GenealogyBank. Discover your family story! Start a 7-Day Free Trial<\/a><\/p>\n

Note on the header image:<\/em><\/strong> souvenir spoon from Ford\u2019s Theatre, Washington, D.C. Credit: John Phelan; Wikimedia Commons.<\/p>\n

__________________<\/p>\n

(1) \u201cHistory of Souvenir Spoons,\u201d History Detectives (https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/opb\/historydetectives\/feature\/history-of-souvenir-spoons\/<\/a>: accessed 30 May 2023).
\n(2) Ibid.
\n(3) Ibid.
\n(4) Ibid.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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