The J. Gorham & Son mark is one of the earliest hallmarks used by the Gorham family, predating the more widely known Gorham Manufacturing Company. This mark dates back to the early 19th century when Jabez Gorham founded the firm in Providence, Rhode Island, originally specializing in coin silver spoons and small goods. Items bearing the J. Gorham & Son mark are rare and highly collectible, representing the foundational period of one of America’s most prominent silver firms. This mark is a key identifier for early American silver, often made before the standardization of sterling silver in the U.S.