I like ch start the new year with a cheerful story that has nothing to do nothing with the research area of East Prussia, but highlights the fact that we can come unexpectedly in our everyday life with deeper levels of historical references in touch if we as are inclined to follow the tracks that lead us happy accidents before the (tracer) from nose or eyes.
It happened one Sunday in the fall of 2009 that we were strolling through a flea market in Berlin. Just as we do this more often to give our desire to move a goal, if we quiet Sunday with a bike through the then little Rolling roads of the metropolis, just to explore areas and neighborhoods that you do not get on everyday ways to face. Completely independent of constraints and requirements as quickly as possible to get from A to B, we'll go easy on the nose, hold and talk time up where we suggest an impulse of curiosity, the deeper exploration of unknown locations.
We came for that Sunday in the fall of 2009 at a flea market in some remote village of Wilmer, actually almost Schmargendorf, so those villages of Berlin, in which no tourist gets lost so quickly. In the parking lot in front of a simple flat in it with a supermarket and everything else in such architectural ensembles unassuming houses are wont to, that on this Sunday orphaned open space in front of several rows are then with flea market stalls. In good weather, vendors jostle with simple trestle tables in front of her car on the parking lot and enrich the offering. It peddles what the financial burden of useless or what from the estate and household dissolution of Aunt Gerda appears not useful, or what you can do without any necessity to supplement the household budget.
This mélange can be hazardous emfindsame minds in the harbor is still a sense of true beauty and uplifting aesthetics, scare when the view of mountains müffeliger used clothing, evil roams in the sun sparkling, crystal cave ugly or calcified Bathtub faucets. A real flea market hunter must not be guided by such anachronistic sensibilities. Bravely he inspected a box of some rusty, some black tarnished cutlery; bravely, he asked the grim-looking vendor for prices although vegilbten hard, but probably never used, beautiful woven linen tea towels of exceptional quality.
found on that Sunday in the fall of 2009 when we stroll through the rows of flea market stalls abruptly before a state again that stood out conspicuously from the otherwise rather chaotic, messy superfluities Sammelsurien old. On the three meters of the flea market table shone in many well-ordered rows of cutlery: spoon on spoon, fork and fork next to some in between shells. All parts were made of silver. Not just silver, no, good noble silver with half moon, crown and 800 hallmark. We took a few pieces in hand, the pattern and admired considered audacious, to treat ourselves to two of the spoons to our Frühstücksmüesli in style to enjoy with fine silver. The dealer encouraged us to purchase, stressed that the pattern " Augsburg Thread "one of the elders and was always in use yet, so that one could easily be supplemented by aftermarket parts. We weighed several spoons in his hand and found two that we attracted attention by their massive processing. Coat of arms engraved on the back. This pleased us spoons. Actually, should not cost a 25 €. The dealer came to meet us and offered volume discounts on orders of two: a total of 40 €. On closer inspection I discovered that information on the selected pieces of the silver fineness no punches as the other spoons. There were 5 different small punches, but they were me and the dealer also completely unknown. He assured us that the guarantee of solid silver spoons, were also eased again slightly from the price. We dare to buy and invest € 35, despite the uncertain quality. Instead of punches, we relied entirely safe to our aesthetic sense, to feel like they were in our hands, the harmonious balance between bowl and dipper, the enigmatic coat of arms, the heavy version.
At home I was cleaning the parts thoroughly and brought the spoon to radiation. The discreetly engraved on the back of the shield coat of arms showed a leaping greyhound was around it quite a bit of tendrils with large letters, did not recognize the connection and read up about it, a helmet with feathers. The next morning we spooned our proud and noble and majestic muesli began our day's work. A few weeks later, our Silberlöffelmorgenmüesli had been a cherished tradition, I traveled to Holstein to see my mother after the rights to help in the garden and enjoy the last sunny autumn days on the Baltic Sea. A Sunday stroll took me outside the church of the old town, where I was baptized 50 years ago. It was open and invited to a visit. I was curious how the church looked like the last renovation of the interior and went into it. In my youth I had even been interested in history and history, my interest was never extended to the interior of this church. Now I looked at everything very closely, even those at a corner stone sarcophagi. Then I discovered surprised and puzzled, along with many other arms and the leaping greyhound, whom I knew from my silver spoons.
Back home in Berlin, I began to search the Internet: who has had a leaping greyhound coat of arms? Who used to eat with my spoons? That must be even figure out! During my research I found the same to several families that are the distinguishing feature of this coat of arms had chosen. Finally, I reached into a special heraldry forum where experts told me that there was probably EEnter 10-15 families with a leaping greyhound in the arms, depending on how far they understood the radius and the period of the investigation.
As you can now find the right family in these many greyhounds coat of arms? Every detail is important. Above all, what I describe as a clear outsider as trappings or tendrils. Looking closer, you realize something like a shield framing the chain, which consists of letters and crosses with a cross turn down. Behind the shield protrude out the ends of a cross, which are also provided with letters: RE STI TU TOI. The last 3 characters can be seen not remember exactly.
After the identification of those rare women's chain as the "Dannebrog Order" and after screening of the history of candidate noble families, interest is focused on the Holstein family of Blome, with the leaping greyhound coat of arms. This would then also the discovery of the arms on the sarcophagus explain in my Baptistry. The Order of Dannebrog was instituted by the Danish royal family and awarded to deserving subjects. The v.Blomes also made at the Danish court career. Several family members wore the medal. And again the question of who supplied with my spoons? Can we now find out more? Now the unknown punches were important. There are specialist books on the identification of old Silberpunzen. Kenner helped me: the silver was actually made in Paris between 1780-85. Although the counters are seen not quite clean. But by 
accurate comparison of two identical spoons can be utilized also the unclear details. The silver fineness was estimated at 916.5 / 1000.
accurate comparison of two identical spoons can be utilized also the unclear details. The silver fineness was estimated at 916.5 / 1000. 
There was only one member of the family of Blome with a reference to Paris at the time of production of my spoon: Otto von Blome , * 1735 in Hagen near Kiel, Royal Danish Ambassador in Paris 1770 - 1796, Knight of the Dannebrog and the Order of the Elephant, 1797-1800 ambassador to St. Petersburg, died 1803 in Kiel. The rich wealthy Blome were related to all old Holstein noble families. Its modern roots in the area of Hanover. In medieval times, they turned to the north and established themselves for centuries in Holstein, where they were gegraft later. The last name carriers moved in 19 Century to Austria from because he was against the appropriation of Schleswig-Holstein by Prussia.
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the internet I have found a sympathetic portrait of Otto v.Blome, see top left. He should have remained unmarried ...
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my silver spoon have therefore already a considerable history of about 225 years behind: dinners for distinguished guests in the Royal Danish embassy in Paris, French Revolution turmoil, possibly long journeys from Paris to Petersburg and Kiel, and finally some time due to unclear from Holstein to a Berlin flea market dealers.
Our healthy breakfast get this unexpected spoon history a touch of extravagant luxury and glamor. So we ennoble the sometimes so common here and now by the noble grandeur of bygone times.
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