Coin Silver Serving Spoon. Jared L. Moore (1824-1852). 230 mm. 55.6 grams. Very Fine, Salvaged from the Wreck of the S.S. New York.Jared L. Moore was a New York City jeweler and watchmaker active from 1824 to 1852. This large and heavy spoon has his makers mark (J.L. MOORE) impressed in a sunken rectangle on the back of the handle, and a shell-like decoration at the stem end of the back of the distinctive pointed-end bowl. In addition, STEAM PACKET NEW YORK is engraved on the front of the handle, indicating that this is an actual artifact associated with the ship, not just cargo carried in the hold. This is the finest of the three spoons we are offering, with the sharpest makers mark and engraving, but it and the others all show extensive evidence of the 160 years they spent on the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico, as well as evidence of the conservation efforts to preserve the metal and remove the encrustation. A signed and numbered Certificate of Authenticity accompanies this highly collectible lot.The S.S. New York was a 165 foot side wheel steamship that plied a regular route between Galveston, Texas and New Orleans, Louisiana -- normally a two or three day journey. She departed Galveston on September 5, 1846 but broke apart during a hurricane on the second day of the trip. Seventeen of the 30 passengers and 23 crewmen were lost, as well as all of the cargo. Hundreds of gold and silver coins have been recovered from the wreck, as well as other artifacts that include pieces from the ships dining room silver service flatware, as here.From the Q. David Bowers Collection. Earlier ex S.S. New York.
