Measure, baluster measure

This touch is probably the mark of Edward Smith I, London, (unrecorded) and is possibly an example of the ‘new’ small touch which was adopted to comply with a Company order on 19th December 1666-7 to ‘everie Spoon maker [to] alter his touch imediately after christmas next from wch tyme all Spoons shall be made exactly to ye Say.’ (Welch, 1902, Vol. II, p 135). While it is possible that Smith was already using a small punch before the Great Fire of 1666, Smith’s marks are not recorded on the 1666/7 Touch Plate. The inclusion of the date (16)68 presumably means that the piece either post-dates the Company enactment, or is a rare example of ‘pre-emptive’ mark, anticipating the need for change and supplying proof of compliance. See also baluster measure with bud thumbpiece cat. no. XXX , No. 13583 below. Date: c.1668 The plague took a terrible toll of the membership during this period which forced the Pewterers’ Court to admit at least ‘eight or ten Assistants from the Livery’ (Welch, 1902, for June 18, 1668). It is therefore possible that Smith died before he could strike his touch on the new Touch Plate installed in 1666/7.