During the souvenir spoon era, the major source of transportation were animals and the train. However, later the automobile and streetcar were rapidly becoming the transportation of choice for small transportation needs and the train was the dominant choice for longer transportation needs.
Tourists were often drawn to local forms of transportation and we consequently find a number of examples which appealed to them. We will be discussing the above spoons in this essay.
A covered wagon was the chief means of moving people long distances before the advent of the train. This is a hand engraved example in the bowl of a spoon from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Today's tourist to this area would probably buy a spoon with a picture of an Amish horse drawn wagon.
Detail picture of a stage coach on a spoon handle navigating the treacherous western trails
Another engraved picture of a stage coach from Deadwood
A horse drawn Caleche from Quebec. Note the detailed workmanship and the man's top hat.
Another version of the caleche embossed in the bowl
a small horse drawn covered carriage
Obviously this rural lady was not as wealthy as the Quebec rider. This buckboard is drawn by an oxen
These farmers from Calgary also have an ox drawn buckboard
The oxen were also used to pull farm equipment. Notice the amount of detail in this embossed bowl from the cotton fields.
Of course in Alaska, the dog pulled sled is a form of transportation that would appeal to tourists
I made this picture to show the differences in quality between two spoons that are virtually identical
Both spoons were made by the same manufacturer and are exactly the same length.
The top one has the dogs cutout and is a much crisper and cleaner image.
Alder Gulch in the Ruby River Valley, Montana was the richest placer gold deposits every found (1863)
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