A RARE LATE 17TH CENTURY NORTH AMERICAN TABLE SPOON with a trefid terminal and a thread-bordered rattail, maker's mark only (struck once on the back of the stem), IB in a shield-shaped punch with pellets, by Jacob Boelen, New York 1690-1700; 7.75" (19.5 cms) long; 1.55 oz *Jacob Boelen (c.1645-1729) born Amsterdam, Netherlands. He was brought to New York with his family in 1659, in 1676 he was admitted to the Dutch Church. He worked as a silversmith with a shop in Hanover Square until his death in 1729. In 1679 he married Tryntie Klock in New York City, he was appointed as Alderman of North Ward In NYC from 1695-1701 and made Freeman of the City in 1698. He was master to Koenraedt Ten Eyck abt. 1691 and also master to his son Henriculs Boelen abt. 1710 to whom he willed his Hanover Square shop.