With regard to the query about ceremonial (groundbreaking) shovels, The Engravers Journal has published three articles on that topic:

Profit With Ceremonial Shovels (Mar/Apr 90)
Ceremonial Shovels (Feb 96)
Celebrating Ceremonies (Sep 99)

They are not presently available on line, but those who have the back issues might enjoy reading these articles, including the parts which show holding and engraving techniques.