Review - Thomson Roddick & Medcalf Sale, 25th March 2003, Edinburgh. - The Finial, April/May 2003

Review - Thomson Roddick & Medcalf Sale
25th March 2003, Edinburgh.
Report by Mr M.

'A modest sale'. These words came to mind when I first looked at the catalogue. With no rare Wick or Tain silver on offer and a questionable Peterhead ladle, the only items of rarity appeared to be three Forres spoons, a Cupar teaspoon and some early tablespoons. There were also some soup ladles, which looked attractive.

Please not that the achieved price does not include the 15% buyers premium.

Aberdeen

Lot	Achieved	Ł
1.	William Jamieson & Co, c. 1810 - a rare tablespoon, Old English pattern, initialled RMF (three marks - WJ & Co; omega; ABD) Ł50-Ł80	65
2.	George Cooper, c. 1740 - a fine Hanoverian pattern tablespoon with contemporary betrothal initials IG over LD (three bottom marks - GC; three castles; gothic C). Ł120-Ł180 ~ This was a good quality tablespoon, with unfortunately the three castles and gothic C marks being worn. These worm marks probably suppressed the price to just above the bottom estimate.	130
3.	William Byres, c. 1800 - a fine tablespoon, Old English pattern, initialled D (three marks - WE; ABD; gothic Q). William Byres served his apprenticeship in Aberdeen with James Wildgoose, but by 1775 was in Banff where he became deacon of the craft in 1781, returning to Aberdeen circa 1792. Ł50-Ł80.	65
4.	Peter Gill, c. 1810 - a teaspoon, fiddle pattern with chamfered edges, initialled IS (three marks - PG; gothic Q; PG). Ł25-Ł35	22
5.	Peter Ross, c. 1820 - a teaspoon, fiddle pattern, initialled D (three marks - PR thrice) Ł20-30.	N/S
6.	James Erskine, c. 1810 - a dessert spoon, fiddle pattern, initialled GWB (four marks - hand with dagger; IE; E; three castles). Ł30-Ł50	50
7.	George Booth, c. 1820 - a pair of sugar tongs, fiddle pattern, initialled S (five marks - GB; A; B; D; N). Ł50-Ł70	55
8.	Nathaniel Gillet, c. 1800 - a soup ladle of Old English pointed-end pattern with circular bowl, initialled BML (two marks - NG; ABD). Ł250-Ł350 ~ The hairline crack in the bowl was no doubt the reason that this soup ladle sold for a below estimate price.	220
9.	James Erskine - four pointed-end dessert spoons initialled AB (three marks - thistle; IE; boar's head). Ł100-Ł150	95
10.	George Jamieson, 1844 - a set of six fiddle pattern teaspoons, initialled AIR (Seven marks - GJ ABDN and marks of Hayne & Cater, London 1844). Ł50-Ł70	45
11.	John Ewen, c. 1805 - four Old English pattern teaspoons initialled AED (maker's mark JoE only - two possibly overstriking another). Ł30-Ł50	28
12.	Alexander Mollison, c.1845 - a set of six fiddle pattern teaspoons, initialled L (three marks - AM; thistle; AM). Ł70-Ł100	75
13.	Alexander Mollison, c. 1845 - a teaspoon, fiddle pattern, with engraved initials (four marks - AM; A; B: D). Ł20-Ł30	20
14.	Peter Gill, c. 1800 - a dessert spoon, Old English pattern, initialled M (four marks - PG thrice; gothic Q). Ł25-Ł40	28
15.	William Whitecross, c. 1825 - two teaspoons, fiddle pattern, initialled P (five marks - WW; A; B; D; N). Ł35-Ł50	35
16.	William Jamieson, c. 1810 - a teaspoon, Old English pattern, initialled M (maker's mark WJ only). Ł15-Ł20	N/S
17.	George Sangster, 1854 - a pair of fiddle pattern sugar tongs with shell bowls (eight marks - GS; A; B; D; and four Edinburgh marks). Ł25-Ł40	25
18.	James Erskine, c. 1810 - a pointed-end sifter ladle, 'Victorianised' with later fluted, pierced and gilded bowl, the stem engraved with garlands of flowers and initialled P (two marks - JE; gothic letter). Ł30-Ł50	30
19.	William Byres, c. 1800 - an Old English pattern teaspoon initialled IHD (three marks - gothic letter; WE; gothic Q); also a masking spoon by William Byres or possibly a dessert spoon with a reduced bowl (two marks - WE; gothic Q); and two Old English pattern teaspoons by James Erskine, c. 1810 (one with repaired bowl). Ł30-Ł40	32
20.	E Christie - a silver penannular plaid brooch with Celtic pattern knotwork inscribed and dated STB, 1910 - 1960 (two marks - E CHRISTIE over ABERDEEN; SILVER) Ł50-Ł80	50
21.	George Cooper, c. 1740 - a George II teaspoon, Hanoverian pattern initialled Dover IAS (maker's mark GC only). Ł30-Ł50	42
22.	George Sangster, 1867 - a set of six fiddle pattern teaspoons, initialled S (eight marks: GS; A; B; D; and four Edinburgh marks). Ł40-Ł60	42
23.	Nathaniel Gillet, c. 1790 - two teaspoons, Old English pattern, initialled RC over IR (maker's mark NG only). Ł20-Ł25	N/S
24.	William Byres, c. 1790 - a masking spoon, Old English pattern, initialled ID within worn cartouche (maker's mark WB only) (8;8); and a teaspoon by William Byres. Ł30-Ł50	28
25.	George Jamieson, 1845 - a toddy ladle of single struck King's pattern, initialled TN (eight marks - GJ; ADBN; four London marks; mark of Hayne & Cater; incuse C); and a fiddle pattern teaspoon, maker's mark probably that of William Constable of Dundee, hallmarked Edinburgh 1827. Ł40-Ł60	45
26.	James Erskine, c. 1795 - a set of six teaspoons, Old English pointed-end pattern, initialled WS (maker's mark JE only). Ł50-Ł70	30
27.	James Erskine, c. 1815 - a sugar spoon, fiddle pattern with rounded oblong bowl, initialled W (three marks - hand with dagger, E; three castles). Ł40-Ł60	42
28.	George Jamieson, 1848 - three fiddle pattern teaspoons, initialled M (six marks - GJ; four London marks; ABDN). Ł20-Ł30	20
29.	George Jamieson, 1860 - a fiddle pattern serving spoon, initialled R {six marks - GJ; four London marks; ABDN). Ł120-Ł160	N/S
30.	John Leslie, c. 1780 - a berry spoon, formed from an Old English pattern tablespoon with later chased stem and embossed and gilded bowl (three marks - IL; thistle (incuse); gothic letter). Ł100-Ł150	N/S
31.	William George Jamieson, 1881 - Old English pattern teaspoon (six marks - WGJ; four London marks; ABDN). Ł20-Ł25	N/S
32.	Rettie & Son, 1840 - a fiddle pattern teaspoon, initialled S (eight marks - R A; B; D; N; and four Edinburgh marks); and another (four marks - R A; B; D) (crack to bowl). Ł20-Ł25	N/S
33.	George Jamieson, 1851 - a large tablespoon, fiddle pattern (six marks - GJ; four London marks; ABDN). Ł25-Ł35	35
34.	George Sangster, 1866 - a fiddle pattern teaspoon, initialled C (eight marks - GS; A; B; D; N; and four Edinburgh marks). Ł10-Ł15	10
35.	George Booth, c. 1820 - two dessert spoons, fiddle pattern, initialled G (five marks - GB; A; B; D; N). Ł40-Ł60	38
36.	John Ewen, c. 1805 - a teaspoon, Old English pattern (maker's mark JoE only). Ł25-Ł35	N/S
37.	Nathaniel Gillet, c. 1800 - a fine silver soup ladle, Old English pattern with drop heel, initialled 11M (two marks - NG; ABD). Ł300-Ł400 ~ A good overall soup ladle which did not find a buyer, being bought in at Ł260. Possibly not so long ago this ladle would have sold for in excess of the low estimate of Ł300.	N/S
39.	George Sangster, 1867 - two fiddle pattern teaspoons, initialled RSB (eight marks - GS; A; B; D; and four Edinburgh marks); and another similar, 1859, initialled F. (3) Ł20-Ł30	20
40	WWC (untraced), c. 1880 - a Highland dirk, plated mounts and carved wood grip (two marks - WWC; ABDN). Ł150-Ł200	160

Arbroath

43.	Andrew Davidson, c. 1835 - a fiddle pattern toddy ladle, initialled W (four marks - AD; plant; plant; portcullis) (tiny crack at junction of stem and bowl). Ł70-Ł100	N/S
44.	Andrew Davidson, c. 1830 - a set of five teaspoons and a matching sugar spoon, oar pattern, initialled ACB (three marks - maker's mark AD struck thrice). Ł80-Ł120	40

Banff

47.	John Keith, c. 1800 - a teaspoon, Old English (four marks - R; IK; salmon; B) Ł50-Ł80	55
48	William Byres, c. 1790 - a pair of large sugar tongs, Old English pattern with shell bowls and bright-cut borders, round vacant cartouche (two marks - WB twice). Ł70-Ł100	72
49.	John Argo, c. 1775 - a rare Old English pattern tablespoon with double-drop heel, initialled MC (two bottom marks - IA; BA partly rubbed). Ł150-Ł200 ~ Lots 49 & 50 - These two table spoons were, in my opinion, over-polished and had worn marks. The first selling at bottom estimate but the second did not find a buyer at Ł140.	150
50.	John Argo, c. 1775 - a rare Old English pattern tablespoon en-suite with the preceding. Ł150-Ł200 ~ see Lot 49	N/S
51.	John Keith, c. 1800 - an Old English pattern teaspoon, initialled GIS (four rubbed marks - R; IK; salmon; B); also an Old English pattern teaspoon by Joseph Pearson, c. 1800 (three marks - IP; anchor; stag's head); a pair of fiddle pattern sugar tongs, probably by Charles Murray of Perth, c. 1820 (four marks - CM in oval punch, thistle; V; double- headed eagle); an Old English pattern teaspoon by William Jamieson of Aberdeen, c. 1810; and a fiddle pattern by George Sangster of Aberdeen. (5) Ł70-Ł90	90

Ballater

51A.

William Robb, 1920 - an unusual pair of silver pickle forks of narrow Scots fiddle pattern with splayed 'Trident' prongs (five marks - WR; BLTR; and three Edinburgh marks)Ł60-Ł80

Cupar

52.

Robert Robertson, c. 1825 - a fine and rare teaspoon, fiddle pattern (four marks - RR; fleur-de- lys; thistle; R). Ł400-Ł600. This combination of four marks is seldom seen together on one spoon. ~ A good price for a good and rare teaspoon. Even although it would appear that an inscription may have been removed it sold well at mid estimate indicating that rarity will still sell well. This spoon was probably a match for the two that were sold, for similar prices, at the last T.R.&M. sale in October 2002.

520

Dumfries55.

54.	Joseph Pearson, c. 1810 - a teaspoon, Old English pattern, initialled MH (four marks - e; fouled anchor; stag's head; IP). Ł30-Ł50	N/S
	Adam Burgess (possibly Castle Douglas), c. 1835 - a pair of fiddle pattern sugar tongs with shell bowls (four marks - AB script; ruined castle; D; fouled anchor). Ł100-Ł150 ~ This pair of tongs were in top condition having a crisp set of marks.	170
57.	Joseph Walker Hinchliffe, 1824 - a large tablespoon, fiddle pattern, initialled M (five marks - HINCH over LIFFE (incuse); and four Glasgow marks). Ł70-Ł100	50
58.	David Gray, c. 1820 - a fiddle pattern teaspoon, initialled EH (four marks - unicorn; G; fouled anchor; DG). Ł20-Ł25	28
59.	Extra Lot - A fiddle pattern Soup Ladle by David Gray (three marks - DG,. unicorn,. fouled anchor). With slightly worn marks and having an inscription erased this ladle was bought in at Ł300.	N/S

Dundee

60.	Charles Dickson II, c. 1731 - a rare Hanoverian pattern tablespoon with contemporary betrothal initials IG over MT (four bottom marks - CD in script; pot of lilies; CD in script; date letter? B in script). Ł200-Ł300 Charles Dickson II is first recorded in Dundee in 1731, and the script letter B mark corresponds with the Edinburgh date letter for that year. ~ Indeed a rare item as I do not recall having seen an item of silver by Charles Dickson for some time. With only slight wear to the bowl I thought that it might have attained a higher price.	220
61.	Edward Livingstone, c. 1790 - an unusual small ladle of pointed Old English pattern with circular bowl initialled DA over HW (three marks - EL; gothic V?; crowned heart)13cm long. Ł50-Ł70	48
62.	Alexander Cameron, c. 1820 - a tablespoon, fiddle pattern, initialled C (five marks - CAM over ERON; C; thistle; pot of lilies; DUN over DEE). Ł50-Ł70	50
63.	James Douglas, c. 1795 - a large tablespoon, pointed-end pattern, initialled A (five marks - DOUGLAS incuse; ill; shield; another shield; crowned heart). Ł50-Ł80 It is rare to find maker's name in full on Scottish Provincial silver.	55
64.	Alexander Cameron, Newcastle 1830 - a teaspoon, fiddle pattern, initialled McH and numbered 2 (five marks - AC and four Newcastle marks). Ł20-Ł30	N/S
65.	William Kermath (possibly), c. 1830 - a pair of sugar tongs, fiddle pattern with shell bowls (four marks - W; pot of lilies thrice). Ł50-Ł70	N/S
66.	Alexander Cameron, c. 1820 - a set of ten tablespoons, fiddle pattern, initialled E (five marks - DUN over DEE; pot of lilies thrice; CAM over ERON). Ł300-Ł400	400
67.	Alexander Cameron, 1838 - a set of five table forks, fiddle pattern, initialled E (six marks - CAM over ERON; four Edinburgh marks; DUN over DEE). Ł150-Ł200	150
68.	Alexander Cameron, c. 1820 - a sugar or preserve spoon, fiddle pattern (four marks - C; thistle; pot of lilies; AC). Ł50-Ł80	55
69.	Alexander Rollo (possibly), c. 1790 - two large tablespoons, Old English pattern, initialled I over 10 (four marks - AR four times). Ł50-Ł80	45
70.	Unknown, c. 1825 - a pair of fiddle pattern sugar tongs with shell bowls, with later monogram (four marks - pot of lilies thrice; indistinct maker's mark). Ł20-Ł40	25
71.	Alexander Cameron, c. 1820 - three fiddle pattern teaspoons, initialled A (four marks - C; thistle; pot of lilies; AC). Ł40-Ł60	38
72.	Andrew Davidson of Arbroath, c. 1835 - a rare set of six dessert spoons, plain fiddle pattern (four marks - pot of lilies; thistle; pot of lilies; AD). Ł300-Ł400 ~ This rare set of dessert spoons were in good overall condition but it would appear that there may have been an inscription removed.	340
73.	Edward Livingstone, c. 1795 - a Celtic point pattern teaspoon initialled TIS in script (three marks - EL; pot of lilies; m). Ł25-Ł35	26

Continues overleaf....

.25. / .26. / .27. The Finial, April/May 2003