2057

Alaska Gold Rush Gold Spoon "J. P. B." [159527]

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Mining Start Price:400.00 USD Estimated At:800.00 - 1,500.00 USD
Alaska Gold Rush Gold Spoon  J. P. B.  [159527]
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Small gold spoon, handle is 10k gold, bowl is gold plated. 4-1/8" long .75" wide bowl, .5" wide at top of handle. Engraved with "J.P.B." at top of handle. Reverse of handle is engraved, "SUTER, NOME" The bowl is not engraved. _x000D_
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Ed and Charles T. Suter were a jewelry firm in Fairbanks. Brought up by their Swiss watchmaker father in Seattle, the pair opened a jewelry store in Fairbanks right after the start of the Alaska-Yukon Gold Rush. It quickly became a hit, and the pair had to expand and remodel the store by August, 1908. The family appears to be immensely popular, involved in a wide variety of social functions over the years. One of their favorites was rifle shooting, and the Tanana Rifle Club named the Suter Trophy in their honor._x000D_
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The Suter brothers were clever marketers. They created a rare gold spoon that appears only to be given on special occasions as a presentation piece. It is doubtful that very many were made. In 1911, Suter presented one to an honorary guest at a secret society meeting, placing the recipients initials at the top of the spoon, and the word ÏFairbanksÓ in the bowl, recording the event in the local newspaper. This spoon here is apparently identical, and also marked with the recipients initials, though not of the same person mentioned in the article. This is a rare solid gold presentation spoon.

Date:
Country (if not USA):
State: Alaska
City: Fairbanks
Provenance: