A rare pair of George III Old English pattern tablespoons by the iconic polymath and famous industrialist Matthew Bolton*, with Birmingham hallmarks for the early date of 1778. Contemporary cursive script monograms.Condition: The spoons are in lovely collector’s condition with good marks and have some wear to the bowls.Maker: Matthew Boulton & John Fothergill Birmingham 1778Dimensions: Length: 22cms. 113g (2) *Matthew Boulton (3 September 1728 – 17 August 1809) was an important English industrialist who was instrument in bringing about the opening of the provincial assay offices in Birmingham and Sheffield in 1773. He was the business partner of Scottish engineer James Watt. In the final quarter of the 18th century, the partnership installed hundreds of Boulton & Watt steam engines, making possible the mechanisation of factories and mills. Boulton applied modern techniques to the minting of coins, striking millions of pieces for Britain and other countries, and supplying the Royal Mint with up-to-date equipment. Born in Birmingham, he was the son of a Birmingham manufacturer of small metal products who died when Boulton was 31. By then Boulton had managed the business for several years, and thereafter expanded it considerably, consolidating operations at the Soho Manufactory, built by him near Birmingham. At Soho, he adopted the latest techniques, branching into silver plate, ormolu and other decorative arts. He became associated with James Watt and firm installed hundreds of Boulton & Watt steam engines in Britain and abroad, initially in mines and then in factories. Boulton was a key member of the Lunar Society, a group of Birmingham-area men prominent in the arts, sciences, and theology. Members included Watt, Erasmus Darwin, Josiah Wedgwood and Joseph Priestley. The Society met each month near the full moon. Members of the Society have been given credit for developing concepts and techniques in science, agriculture, manufacturing, mining, and transport that laid the groundwork for the Industrial Revolution.Boulton founded the Soho Mint, to which he soon adapted steam power. He sought to improve the poor state of Britain''s coinage, and after several years of effort obtained a contract in 1797 to produce the first British copper coinage in a quarter century. His ''cartwheel'' pieces were well-designed and difficult to counterfeit, and included the first striking of the large copper British penny, which continued to be coined until decimalisation in 1971. He retired in 1800, though continuing to run his mint, and died in 1809. His image appears alongside his partner James Watt on the Bank of England''s current Series F £50 note.I prefer to receive payment by direct bank transfer where possible, please contact me.FREE WORLD WIDE POSTAGE. Postage within the UK by Royal Mail Special Delivery next day tracked and signed for service, postage overseas by Royal Mail Special Delivery 3 to 5 day tracked and signed for se...