Historic Memphis Souvenir Spoons ... in the collection of Maureen Thoni White

HistoricMemphisSouvenirSpoons

... in the Collection of Maureen Thoni White

Collecting souvenir spoons has been a popular hobby since the late 1800s when this European fad swept the nation. Wealthy Americans on a "Grand Tour" of Europe brought home souvenir spoons marked with the names of cities and famous landmarks they had seen. The first souvenir spoons produced in the United States were products of prominent silversmiths during the late 1800s. Over the next 40 years silversmiths took every occasion to create a silver spoon, but the mania was short lived. By World War One, the desire for souvenir spoons had lost its appeal and by the end of the war it had almost disappeared. But it's back and once again it's a big-time, somewhat expensive hobby. Now hundreds of spoons change hands at auctions around the world. Just ask Historic-Memphis.com's Maureen Thoni White. You'll frequently see her bids on EBay.

Historic-Memphis.com team member Maureen only began collecting spoons 2 years ago. Team member Dave French began adding to her collection 1 year ago. The collection concentrates entirely on early Memphis.

Click on small photos to see an enlargement . All photos by Maureen Thoni White


*1881 Van Vleet -Mansfield Drugs*	*1881 Van Vleet -Mansfield Drugs*



*1891 Memphis Daily Scene ... Front and Back*	*1893 Memphis Cotton Bale ... Front and Back*


*1900 Black Americana*	*1901 UCV-1*	*1901 UCV-2*	*Memphis Bridge*	*Bridge-Magnolia*	*Chickasaw Chief*


*Court Square*	*Court Square ... Enamel Squirrel*


*Court Square ... Skyline Handle-1*	*Dinstuhl's Candy ... Cutout Handle*


*Skyline Handle*	*Watermelon Bowl ...*


*Masonic Temple ... Wheat Handle*	*River Bluff Medallion*


*Memphis Bridge*	*Memphis Bridge*	*Customs House*	*River Front*	*Cotton Bale*	*Customs House*


*Mr. Peanut*	*Peabody Hotel*


*Agriculture*	*Memphis ... Gold Bowl*


*Memphis Bowl*	*Gold Bowl ... Cotton Handle*


*... Chicken*	*1914 ... Masonic Temple*