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Day 119 – The Astonishingly Unattractive Buckingham Palace Spoon

Happy Anniversary to Prince William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who were married in Westminster Abbey on this day in 2011. After the ceremony, the couple made the traditional appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, the London residence of her majesty, The Queen. 

Which brings us to today’s spoon: A small, cheap souvenir that says “Buckingham Palace” over a faded photo of the palace with one of the Queen’s Guard stationed out front. The bowl is engraved with the City of London coat of arms.


It is, without question, one of the ugliest British landmark spoons I’ve ever seen. No self-respecting ghost would even think of haunting this mess.

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Day 118 – The Pisa Spoon

Everyone knows that on April 28, 1503, Spanish forces soundly defeated the French in the Battle of Cerignola, which took place in the Italian town of the same name, located in the present-day Apulia region near the town of Bari. 

But did you know that what makes this battle famous is that it was most likely the first European battle won using gunpowder firearms? True story, y’all.

I don’t have a Cerignola spoon, but I do have this nice Pisa spoon. 


Pisa (much farther north in the Tuscany region) is well-known for its tower, which has a bit of a tilt due to insufficient foundation on one side. Construction started in 1178 and wasn’t completed until nearly 200 years later because the Republic of Pisa was engaged in constant battles with Florence, Lucca, and Genoa (they make nice salami!)