This is a Pre 1860 Samuel Ward Benedict 13 inch Sterling Silver ladle. It is Hallmarked with a sideways human bust, a Lion Passant, and the letter "C"? and also signed Benedict 5 Wall St. It has come to my attention that this may in fact be Coin Silver despite the Lion Passant. Makes little difference even if it were melted as scrap.

.925 Sterling is 925 parts of one thousand, and the difference between .900 (Coin Silver) and Sterling is the same as the ratio of 25 cents out of a ten dollar bill. Darn little. There are 9 pictures.

It is in amazing condition, free of dents, only one exceedingly tiny ding in the bowl so small I couldn't get a picture. Grain of sand size. I think it could be buffed out but I don't like to monkey with near perfection.

It weighs about 6.2 Troy ounces or 193 grams. It has a Monogram, I took a close up photo of it. Might be for a business or someone well known, I couldn't really make heads or tails of it. HS & S? For HS & Son? Maybe you know.

This is made by a well known Silversmith a minimun of 152 years ago as he retired in 1860. His obituary is included below.

Obituary printed in the New York Times (New York City NY) on 5 May 1880

Samuel Ward Benedict, the founder of a well-known watch-making and jewelry firm of this City, died on Monday at his home at Rossville, Staten Island, where he has lived since 1835, at the age of 82 years.

Mr. Benedict's direct ancestor, Thomas Benedict, came to America from Nottinghamshire, England, in 1638, and settled in Connecticut, where his descendants have lived to the present time.

Samuel Ward Benedict was the son of Peter, a great-great-grandson of Thomas, and was born at Danbury, Conn., March 12, 1798. When a lad, he learned the watch and jewelry business, and in 1818, when his apprenticeship was finished, came to this City and worked for a time as a journeyman, but soon afterward began business on his own account.

A few years before the great fire of 1835 he set up in Wall-street, corner of William-street, and here built up an excellent business. William-street was then within about one block of the East River, and Mr. Benedict established quite a reputation among the ship Captains for his chronometer-work.

The Wall-street omnibuses were started from in front of his store, and it was there that the phrase "Benedict's time" became the popular form of indicating the correct City time.

He subsequently removed to No. 5 Wall-street, where he did business until his retirement in 1860.

No additional fees of any kind beyond the initial purchase price. No deceiving add-ons or confusing calculations, just no nonsense sales with your items delivered (most times) via Fedex Ground to your home or business. Sorry, Fedex does not deliver to post office boxes, so address must be home or business.

As all my items are vintage and/or used or to be considered used, this item is offered without warranty or return.

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