Chicago Athletic Association Silver Spoon - Reed and Barton
I've written a few times about the Chicago Athletic Association here in Chicago over the years. It is a place that holds a special meaning in my my life as it was where my oldest sister was married back in the early 1990's. It has since been reborn as an uber-hip hotel with a cool rooftop bar (Cindy's). I've been there for both drinks with friends and also work meetings/events.
On a couple of occasions, I've come across artifacts from the CAA at stores and estate sales. Nat and I have bought a few serving pieces for my sister and her husband and given them as Christmas/birthday gifts over the years. The CAA has a wide variety of serving pieces and dishes that have been sold/taken that have shown up in the market online, too.
This is a silver spoon from Reed and Barton that I when I saw it, I knew that I had to buy it. When you pick it up, you notice that it is old. It is tarnished and just feels old. It is heavy yet delicate. A look at the end of the spoon and - if you know the CAA - you instantly recognize the logo. It is the Cubs' "C" inside of a circle. I knew this wasn't from the Cubs, but the CAA.
Here's a closer look at the Circle C logo.
Flipping the spoon over, you see that it is monogramed with "Chicago Athletic Association" on the reverse side of the handle. Further down - not in this picture below - it is also marked "Reed & Barton".
There can't be very many buyers of a single spoon from a non-defunct club in Chicago, right? I was going to pass on this, per my collecting mantra, but since it is a gift, I felt good about buying it.
What she'll do with it, I have no idea. But, I'm hoping that she'll just use it. You can't really beat this thing up any more than it is, right? It likely needs a little polish to take the tarnish off - or not - and then press it into service. The handle is a bit long, so it might be awkward for cereal, but perfect for a sugar bowl or something when she has parties.
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