From note on back of photograph: "Brass mold for casting pewter buttons. U.S.A. is engraved on the bottom surface of each cavity and was reproduced on each button. The two handles of wood originally fitted on each tang are missing. Courtesy Don Berkbile
From the back of the photograph: "Molds for rifle bullets and buckshot, made of cast brass, and bearing the mysterious initials I.M. A reasonably large number of brass molds have been found in America bearing these initials, but nothing is known about the owner of the initials.
Mould, brass, for tablespoon b John Clark, 1825, for T. Osgood of Salem; brass mould; pewter teaspoon; late 18th century pewter spoon, back view. According to information on back of photo, "Collection of Negatives of Historical and Architectural Subjects, Essex Institute, Salem Mass."
Note: Essex Institute merged with Peabody Museum of Salem to become Peabody Essex Museum in 1992.
Provenance
Photographs from the estate of Henry Kauffman. From the Collection of Negatives of Historical and Architectural Subjects, Essex Institute, Salem, Mass. See note in description.
Three spoon molds made of bronze and brass. The smallest is approximately 4 in. long. The middle one has a side gate designed to produce more perfectly formed spoons in the casting process. From the collection of H.J. Kauffman
Stamp on back of the photograph: This photo appeared in Spinning Wheel National Antiques Magazine, Hanover, Pennsylvania in the June issue, 1967
A signed copper warming pan, made by Richard Collier of Norwich, Conn., in 1779. Notice the use of holes to make a design in the lid. From the private collection of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick P. Albertine. Picture in the book "American Copper & Brass" page 86.
