this is an authentic, beautifully preserved 1904 St. Louis World's Fair (Louisiana Purchase Exposition) commemorative souvenir spoon.
Front Details & Design
• The Bowl: Explicitly features a crisp, embossed rendering of the iconic Palace of Electricity, a major exhibition building dedicated to early electrical generation, machinery, and technology.
• The Neck: Reads ST. LOUIS, MO written vertically down the shaft.
• The Handle Upper Portion: Features a detailed portrait of Thomas Jefferson—the U.S. President who orchestrated the Louisiana Purchase of 1803—with the text "JEFFERSON" inscribed above his collar.
• The Handle Tip: Features a medallion containing a traditional French Fleur-de-lis pattern (paying homage to St. Louis's deep French heritage) alongside the prominent date 1904.
Back Details & Maker Marks
• The Manufacturing Stamp: The text stamped into the rear of the neck reads EXTRA PLATE. This was a standardized industry term used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries signifying that the spoon is crafted from a base white metal (usually a nickel-copper alloy) heavily coated with a dual-thick layer of silver plating.
• The Decorative Handle Back: Shows an embossed emblem of the Missouri State Seal, bordered by agricultural motifs.
Value Analysis
Because these pieces were highly popular keepsakes produced in vast quantities for fairgoers, their current value depends on condition and metal purity.
Factor Valuation & Market Status
Material Standing As a verified silver-plated ("Extra Plate") piece rather than solid sterling silver, it sits in a lower price tier than its solid-precious-metal counterparts.
Current Condition It features moderate, beautiful dark tarnish and heavy age-patina. Crucially, the fine architectural lines in the bowl and facial details on Jefferson are fully intact without flat spots or heavy structural rubbing.
Front Details & Design
• The Bowl: Explicitly features a crisp, embossed rendering of the iconic Palace of Electricity, a major exhibition building dedicated to early electrical generation, machinery, and technology.
• The Neck: Reads ST. LOUIS, MO written vertically down the shaft.
• The Handle Upper Portion: Features a detailed portrait of Thomas Jefferson—the U.S. President who orchestrated the Louisiana Purchase of 1803—with the text "JEFFERSON" inscribed above his collar.
• The Handle Tip: Features a medallion containing a traditional French Fleur-de-lis pattern (paying homage to St. Louis's deep French heritage) alongside the prominent date 1904.
Back Details & Maker Marks
• The Manufacturing Stamp: The text stamped into the rear of the neck reads EXTRA PLATE. This was a standardized industry term used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries signifying that the spoon is crafted from a base white metal (usually a nickel-copper alloy) heavily coated with a dual-thick layer of silver plating.
• The Decorative Handle Back: Shows an embossed emblem of the Missouri State Seal, bordered by agricultural motifs.
Value Analysis
Because these pieces were highly popular keepsakes produced in vast quantities for fairgoers, their current value depends on condition and metal purity.
Factor Valuation & Market Status
Material Standing As a verified silver-plated ("Extra Plate") piece rather than solid sterling silver, it sits in a lower price tier than its solid-precious-metal counterparts.
Current Condition It features moderate, beautiful dark tarnish and heavy age-patina. Crucially, the fine architectural lines in the bowl and facial details on Jefferson are fully intact without flat spots or heavy structural rubbing.