Description

The Story of America’s First Elephant:
It’s believed that the first elephant to reach America shared a ship with Captain Nathaniel Hathorne, father of novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne. In 1796, Salem resident Jacob Crowninshield purchased an elephant during a voyage to India, and Captain Hathorne is credited with famously entering “Elephant on Board” in the ship’s log. As they made their way back to the States, it wasn’t long before the crew started to fear she would deplete their drinking water supply. In response, they switched her diet from water to beer. When she arrived on shore, she was a drunken spectacle. Shortly after, she was sold to the Barnum and Bailey Circus and showcased throughout New England.

Resembling the pewter wares of this era, this spoon features a detailed elephant carving on its handle. It is made of genuine fine pewter and perfect for any tea or coffee set.