Lot Essay
According to Samuel J. Hough, these were completed 16 October 1899, referring to special Martel costing books; weighed 14 troy oz. 3 pennyweight of .950 grade silver, valued at $12.83 and reduced in the making to 14/2. Casting took two and a half hours (cost: $1.25), chasing required five hours ($3.00), a silversmith worked three and a half hours to fashion the pieces ($1.58). Total direct silver and labor costs were $17.86, plus overhead ($3.57), profit ($7.14), and Admin. costs ($1.43) for a sum of $30.00 net factory price for the knife--$20.00, for the fork--$16.00.