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Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Gorham Hallmarks

After our previous post, we received some emails requesting more information about Gorham hallmarks. We're not experts but we can show some examples.

As we mentioned in the last post, Gorham changed the information it places on pieces. Before 1950, Gorham used symbols to identify forks, spoons and other pieces. The picture below illustrates the three symbols: a lion, an anchor and the letter "G" plus the word, "Sterling". In this example, you also see some patent information on the right. Gorham made minor changes to this format over the years but the basic lion/anchor/G/Sterling combination should always be there. The patent information may not always be there. You may see some sellers use the abbreviation, "LAG", to represent this hallmark pattern.



After 1950, Gorham began to use the words, "Gorham Sterling", for its basic hallmark as illustrated in the picture below. Sometimes, you'll also see the pattern name on teaspoons.



Are pieces with the old marks more valuable? It depends. With all other things being equal, the older pieces probably are a little more valuable. But value is influenced to a much greater degree by the condition of a piece. A newer piece in excellent condition is preferred by many buyers to an older piece with extensive signs of wear.


There are several earlier posts on this blog that discuss markings of various kinds. You should read them in order to have a more complete picture of markings you may find.

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions/comments.

59 comments:

Anonymous said...

We have a baby spoon that looks like chantilly pattern, and has a stand alone mark: "pat95" on the back of the handle. The lion, anchor, and another mark that we can't identify, are present at the base of the handle, followed by "STERLING". Is this a Gorham spoon?

Silver Jim said...

Could the other mark be a script "G"? If so, the piece sounds like a Gorham piece. The "pat95" also corresponds well with the Chantilly introduction year, 1895.

So I'm guessing, "Yes", it is Gorham.

Anonymous said...

Hello. I have a small oil lamp that says Gorham on the bottom along with E. P. Between the E and the P is a symbol that some sites say indicates the decade,1950, but there should be a number inside the symbol indicating the year in the decade. There is an anchor inside the symbol. Can anyone tell me about this?

Silver Jim said...

With respect to the Gorham lamp in the previous comment, I don't have an answer. This web page describes the date mark mentioned.

http://www.925-1000.com/Gorham_Date_Code.html

Anonymous said...

Hi,
Thanks for the informative dialog. I have a Gorham trumpet vase marked on the bottom with "Gorham EP an anchor and YCxxxx". I assume the "EP" stands for electro plate. I have had 2 people tell me its sterling. I disagreed with them. Can someone confirm which it is?
Thanks!!!

Silver Jim said...

I'll take a stab at the last question regarding E P.

Unless it says "Sterling" on the piece somewhere, it's a good bet it is NOT sterling. On some pieces, you might see the numbers "925" instead (representing 92.5% silver, the definition of sterling).

"E P" does represent "electroplating". So, sterling it's not!

Anonymous said...

I HAVE A ROUND CASSEROLE WITH STAMP
GORHAM
E(ANCHOR SYMBOL) P
YH 307
DO SOMEONE KNOW ABOUT THIS ITEM THE AGE AND THE COST.

Silver Jim said...

"E anchor P" is one of Gorham's marks for silver plate pieces. Although I have no knowledge about your specific piece, I doubt the value is great.

Anonymous said...

HI I FOUND A SPOON WITH THE PICTURE OF AN ANCHOR A LION AND REALLY I CAN'T TELL WHAT THE OTHER ONE IS AND AFTER THAT IT SAID STERLING AND PAT95 IS THIS WORTH ANYTHING?

Silver Jim said...

This is in reply to the "anchor lion" spoon question.

Yes, it should be worth at least $25, probably more, depending on pattern, size, condition, etc.

Anonymous said...

Hello I have a Gorham table top mirror with the markings E(anchor)P yc1849 I can't find Any info on it and was wondering if you would know something I don't about this piece?

Silver Jim said...

The mirror is made of silver plate. I'm assuming "1849" is the model number.

That's about all I can tell from the marks.

Alana B said...

I have a pitcher with elaborate leaf design on top is from Gorham
it does say silver soldered has an anchor and a number 0225 it also has an A stamped on it with the number IV just below the silver soldered stamping. The A is off to a side away from the rest of the stamping.
anyone can give me some information about it.

Silver Jim said...

This is a reply to Alana B.

This piece is made of silver plate. I don't know anything about this it but I do know that Gorham made pieces like this often for specific hotels, passenger trains and cruise ships. This was in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

The "225" is a model number, I feel certain.

Sorry I could not help any more.

Anonymous said...

Does the marking of YC mean anything on Gorham pieces?

Silver Jim said...

I don't recognize "YC" as having any standard meaning on Gorham pieces.

Unknown said...

I have a 21 inch platter YC 788. I'm wondering if it's worth anything? It's very tarnished right now.

lu said...

I have a ledger,prescription pad. It's gorham, E(ancho)P with yc57.. I know it's electro plated... I can't seem to fiND atleast one online, I'd like to know the year. Is YC57, maybe the year?

Silver Jim said...

This is a response to "lu".

I think "YC57" is a model or catalog number. This piece is made of silver plate. That's about all I can say.

Anonymous said...

I wonder if you can help. How about a Gorham ladle marked Gorham Pat.94 on the handle. The bowl has an M style pattern on it when facing towards you. I cannot find anything on the net regarding the pattern or patent number which is elaborate scroll style with a space for monogram at the top of the handle. Would thi shave been a one off or a design which never made fruition? Would it be sterling? Doesnt say plate or sterling.

All help greatly received a sI have just spent a couple of hours trawling the net to n avail!

Thank you!

Silver Jim said...

This is in response to the question about a Gorham ladle.

Check the silver plate and sterling patterns here: http://sterlingflatwarefashions.com/Msc/SterlSP.html .

If it's not there, try the pictures at www.replacements.com.

Sorry I could not help more.

Anonymous said...

i was given a set of gotham flatware for my wedding in 2007. the back says Gorham 18/10 but the pattern is definitely chantilly. was this a misprint? or did gorham manufacture the chantilly in stainless steel at some point? i cannot find anything online.

Silver Jim said...

This is in response to the question about Gorham 18/10 Chantilly.

I have never seen any Chantilly made of stainless steel (except for knife blades, of course). That's not to say it does not exist; I just have not seen it. The Valcourt pattern is somewhat similar but definitely different.

I doubt the marks on the back were misprints.

Sorry I could not help.

Jim

Unknown said...

HI, i am inquiring about a silver mark on what looks like a water pitcher, not sure if its silver or not. the mark reads Gorham MFG &co 0200 for tiffany &co No 56 E the mark at top is of a anchor in a box thanks L boles

Silver Jim said...

Regarding the question about the Gorham/Tiffany pitcher, this piece most likely is made of silver plate. Gorham sterling pieces all had the word, "Sterling", imprinted somewhere. I'm not familiar with this specific piece. I suggest looking for comparable pieces on the Internet at sites like eBay.

Carolyn Massari said...

Hello I have several pieces of Gorham Sterling "Chantilly". The pieces are marked Gorham Sterling. Does this mean they are newer and less valuable, because the have no LAG markings?

Anonymous said...

Would like to know the value of a Gorham silver punch ladle with a cut glass handle. It has an anchor and 1592 stamped on the back of the long silver shaft. Think it was a wedding gift to my grandmother in 1900 but can't find any info.

Silver Jim said...

Regarding the question about a punch ladle, here are some thoughts. Since the word, "Sterling", does not appear, the metallic content probably is silver plate. Therefore, any value will not be based on silver content. It sounds like an unusual piece but I do not have enough information to estimate its value. Generally, pieces like this have a relatively low value (few dollars).

Unknown said...

I have a silver plated candlestick about 6.75 in tall with the mark "plated by Gorham. Mfg. Co. 26136 It is very ornate and seems to be plated over a gold colored metal (brass?) I can't seem to find any information about when that mark would have been used, although I am guessing it is early. Can you tell me the age from that mark? Thanks, epn

Silver Jim said...

Regarding the question about a Gorham candlestick, I'm sorry to say that I do not know the probable date for this but I can guess that it is old (1900 or so). The brass color may be copper which a common base metal over which silver plating was placed.

Ron said...

I have a silver bell with the following markings on the inside: lion facing right with an anchor to the right of the lion and the letter G right of the anchor. The second line says sterling, he third line says 420 and the 4th line has the letter O. Any help would be appreciated. The bell with handle is 3.75 inches tall.

Silver Jim said...

This is a response to the post regarding a silver bell.

The first two lines clearly indicate the bell is made of sterling. It could have some non-sterling components; for example, if there is some connection device where the handle attaches.

I'm guessing the "420" is a model number. I do not have any ideas regarding the fourth line.

Unknown said...

I have a Beautiful Gorham water pitcher pattern 0805 patent date of 1867 And Anchor Symbol. What are your thoughts??

Unknown said...

Hi I also have a bowl marked A Gorham Silver Original. Gorham yc779 E(anchor mark)P. Anyone have any idea of what it is!

Unknown said...

It's on my Gorham bowl

Silver Jim said...

This is in response to the recent question regarding a Gorham bowl.

I am not familiar with this specific bowl but the marks indicate it is made of silver plate.

Unknown said...

No I have the same thing but mines on the bottom of it says YC 433

Karl said...

Not sure if this thread is still active but I have a 9 in candle set that Gorham E(anchor)P, which you addressed. But it also says made in Italy. I thought Gorham is based in America. Any insight would be appreciated. mineya777@yahoo.com
Thanks
Karl

Unknown said...

Hi could you tell me i have a set of fish knife and forks the marks are ep then four leaf clover the ns could you let me know anything about them

Silver Jim said...

This is a reply to the question about a fish knife and fork.

This might be the mark of the British firm Barker Brothers. However, they used a three-leaf clover with a star in each leaf. Check here to see some pictures: http://www.silvercollection.it/electroplatesilverB.html .

Lily said...

I have several "Kings" Pattern Gorham flatware pieces with the typical "GORHAM" plus the anchor symbol. This is follows by an "x". Can you explain the "x" symbol, please? I can't find any reference to it (or pictures of it online.

Silver Jim said...

I have seen "x" on several pieces made of silver plate but I do not know its purpose.

Unknown said...

Hello, a friend gifted me with an 1895 Gorham sterling,
“Chantilly” flatware set, service for12. All pieces are marked: 1895,with the three symbols for Gorham Sterling, with the exception of the 12 knives, marked: “stainless blade” and “silver plate” at the base of the knife blade, but no marks whatsoever on the handle. Does anyone know for certain if the chantilly pattern was made in silverplate as well as Sterling? I’m going to sell the set on eBay, but I need to know whether or not the handles on the knives could possibly be Sterling although they are not marked? I’ve looked up others on eBay but they are marked the same as the rest of my set. My testing acids have expired years ago so I’m unable to tell whether or not the handles are sterling… Thank you!

Unknown said...

I have a 1780 inscribed spoon that has gorham then the ep with an ⚓. It also has what looks like a crest. A crown on top of two shields

Silver Jim said...

This is in response to the "1780" question. I do not know to what the "1780" refers because Gorham was not founded until 1831. The "ep" indicates that this piece is made of silverplate.

Lady pants said...

I also have a Gorham serving spoon with the date 1780 inscribed on it, it also has Rochembeau to Lt Governor jabez Bowen who lines up with this time frame. It has E anchor P on the back with the crown over the shield mark. It anyone has info on this please email me at lizfairman22@gmail.com thanks

Lady pants said...

I have a Gorham serving spoon dated 1780 with the inscription rochembeau to Lt Governor Jabez Bowen. It has a stamp on the back with a crown over 2 shields. It’s has an E anchor P stamp also. If anyone has any information please email me at LizFairman22@gmail.com thanks

Silver Jim said...

The information at this link might help: https://newporthistory.org/history-bytes-the-rochambeau-spoon/

Unknown said...

I have a set of king edward that say gorham sterling pat.

Anonymous said...

I have a "teaspoon" size says silver on back and has 3 symbols. middle symbol is an anchor cant make out the other 2 . the handle was inscribed Dec 25 '94.I am sure this is probably 1894 based on the appearance of the spoon. Name Joe on handle...probably a baby spoon? is this a Gorham?

Silver Jim said...

Gorham's older sterling mark consisted of a lion, followed by an anchor followed by the letter "G". If these seem to fit, it probably is Gorham.

Unknown said...

Does anyone know if Gorham used stickers as identification marks? I have a bowl with sticker that says, Gorham Sterling and includes the right facing lion, anchor and G. Is this a real Gorham piece or replica?

Silver Jim said...

I have never seen such a sticker. That does not mean Gorham never used them but I am doubtful.

Anonymous said...

I have tea set with anchor y709. Anyone that can help me, please and thank you.

Stacey Eschert said...

I have gorham tea set has anchor and y709. Can anyone help, please and thank you.

Anonymous said...

My flatware is marked sterling pat’d M. It is the Fairfax pattern. When would it have bee manufactured? Thank you.

Silver Jim said...

Fairfax was originally created by Durgin, then was carried over after Gorham bought Durgin around 1924. Based on the specific marks, I would estimate that the flatware was manufactured sometime between 1924 and 1940. However, this is purely a best guess.

Anonymous said...

Do you know, by chance, what the difference is between a Gorham silverware pattern that has "Monograms" after the name and the same pattern that does not? Since these are all old patterns are the replacement stores just noting those pieces they have that have monograms versus those that do not? Thanks for any help.

Barbara

Silver Jim said...

The word "monogram" generally means that an item has been custom engraved with at least one letter. This is often the first letter of a family last name. If this is an item for sale, the seller is properly notifying a potential buyer of the existence of this custom monogram. Many buyers do not care but many buyers do no want to buy anything custom like this.