Jackson records Alexander Spence’s mark from a tablespoon, dated 1796/97. He records Alexander Spence’s earliest mention as 1783. Dietert indicates that he was apprenticed in 1767 and made free in 1783. These are a lovely pair of bright cut tongs, in the typical Scottish style with a concave bow. They are marked with both the castle and the thistle which is quite unusual. They have the duty mark and maker's mark punched inside one arm and the thistle and castle inside the other. They are dated c1790 – 1795.