Souvenir Spoon c. 1936

Ellen Duncan made this drawing of a souvenir spoon, but we don't know when. While it may seem like a simple illustration, the souvenir spoon, and this image of it, speak volumes about cultural values and social practices. Notice the intricate handle, typical of souvenir spoons, and the coin embedded in the bowl, reading “United States, Fifty Dols 1852”. During the late 19th century, souvenir spoons became popular keepsakes for tourists, commemorating places and events. They reflect the rise of consumer culture, where memories and experiences could be commodified and collected. Duncan's drawing hints at a particular brand of patriotism closely tied to institutional power. It may have been made to be used in commercial catalogues or patent applications. We can better understand the full significance of this image and the object it represents by looking into the history of tourism and the manufacturing of novelty goods. These avenues of research help us to understand the politics of imagery and the social conditions that shape artistic production.