A PAIR OF RARE GEORGE III ""PATENT"" TEA SPOONSOld English pattern, initialled ""B"" over ""W&R"", by
William Darby, Sheffield 1785; 0.9 oz (2)*William Darby patented a method for manufacturing spoons & other articles using a die-stamping method - an early form of mass production, which met with little success in the 18th century. Surviving spoons/articles are therefore rare.