The Eagle has landed

by Jeremy Astfalck

17 October, 2005

Eagle's wing caddy spoon Eagle wing caddy spoons, according to John Norrie who wrote the authoritative book “Caddy Spoons: An Illustrated Guide” which was published in 1988 are “The most revered and sought-after of all specimens”. They are the emblem of the Society of Caddy Spoon Collectors based in the United Kingdom and when one examines this masterpiece of silver design it is not difficult to see why it was chosen. Designed and produced in Birmingham by Joseph Willmore these caddy spoons were produced by the “die stamping” method, where a thin sheet of silver is pressed into an engraved steel die. There were, according to Eric Delieb in his book “Investing In Silver”, three cycles of production namely the Georgian specimens dating 1814 to1817, the William IV specimens dating 1830 to 1835 and the Victorian variety dating 1837 to 1840. In John Norrie’s book “Caddy Spoons: An Illustrated Supplement” published in 1998 he states that the die was used until 1865. When one considers how complex the engraving and manufacturing of a steel die is, not to mention the cost it is not surprising to see it being used over such a long period of time. The design, due to the nature of production, gives a finished product that although light in weight is extremely high in artistic intent and eminently suitable to the task of dispensing tea from the tea caddy to the tea pot. Jeremy Astfalck from The Old Corkscrew in Franschhoek will be offering for sale at the South African Antique Dealers fair running from the 14th to 17th October this rare form of caddy spoon by Joseph Willmore dating from 1814 the year of first production and which is provenance to the collection of the late John Norrie.