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Thursday, June 2, 2011

I Need Help with Gorham Marks

I've stated in several posts that Gorham changed its marking method for flatware in 1950 from the classic "lion/anchor/G Sterling" marks to simply "Gorham Sterling". Lately, I've been wondering if this is entirely accurate. For example, I have not been able to find old marks on patterns like King Edward and Fairfax. Both these patterns existed a few years before 1950.

Can anyone out there shed some light on this? Post a comment if you can.

Thanks.

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14 comments:

Sharon said...

The only thing I have that has "Gorham Sterling Pat." rather than the lion, anchor and G. It's a sugar spoon in the 1938 Nocturne pattern. My Fairfax bears the Durgin mark and my King Edward is Whiting. Perhaps Gorham bought them both out and then started with the new mark?

Anonymous said...

I have a set that reads " Gorham Sterling Pat. I'm trying to find out the value of the set I have. Who should I go to in order to get a price. I'm wanting to sell. I have over 30 pieces.
Tnspitfire00@aol.com Please reply if anyone reading this can help. Thank you.

Tamra said...

I need help finding information on J.A. Henckels Solingen flatware - knives have turquoise inlay on decorative sterling handles and the blade appears to be brass, and forks are sterling.

Silver Jim said...

I believe this is from a German company. I don't have any other information about this set.

Maybe some other reader will.

Anonymous said...

I have a Gorham Sterling King Edward set and I see a marking that may be initials or something looks like "LHP."
Any info will help.

Silver Jim said...

"LHP" does not sound like any standard Gorham mark of which I'm aware. Perhaps these are the initials of the first owner. Or perhaps they represent the original retailer. I vote for the first owner's initials.

InVitaVeritas said...

Hi, I am trying to identify a set of Gorham flatware with some seemingly contradictory date markings on it. There is a H mark which seems to indicate an 1875 date, but they also have a "PATENT 1900" stamp. The typical pre-1950 Gorham marks and the word Sterling appear as well. Thank you for any help!

Silver Jim said...

To InVitaVeritas:

The weight mark, "H", defines this as a heavier version of this pattern. Weight marks were used into the 20th century. Check the "Weight Marks" link in the right hand column.

Anonymous said...

My post refers to Gorham Sterling (Melrose) flatware which I inherited from my Grandmother. I started looking at the hallmarks on my sterling flatware and found some interesting differences.

Most of the set has the following hallmark: PAT. [Lion][Anchor][G] GORHAM STERLING Melrose

Some of the set has the following hallmark: [Lion][Anchor][G] GORHAM STERLING Melrose

Others are marked this way: GORHAM STERLING Melrose

The knife blades are either marked: STAINLESS

Or they are marked: GORHAM STERLING HANDLE STAINLESS BLADE

So, I assume the differences in the markings might indicate what time period these pieces were manufactured. Do you know a way to determine this?

Silver Jim said...

This is in response to the question regarding Melrose flatware.

You are correct in assuming that the marks are from different periods. The top three you listed are in chronological order with the top one being the oldest. The knives with just "Stainless" on the blade are older. You can feel comfortable that the handles are sterling on the outside with a cement compound on the inside to hold the blade in place. This is true for the newer knives as well.

Be aware that Gorham had two patterns with this name. One was introduced in 1908 and the second in 1948. This article might be of interest: http://countryroadsmagazine.com/art-and-culture/people-places/gorham-inc-the-secret-silver/ .

Anonymous said...

Have what I believe is a very old cream pot, it says PROPERTY OF CLINTON CAFETERIA, SAN FRANCISCO.
THEN BELOW THAT GORHAM, below that an anchor w/shield around it, under that E.P.,UNDER That 03556,under that 8 oz,under that a small acorn.
Now to right side of all this is a larger acorn, and to the left is the numbers 378.
This is all stamped, and looks very, very old.

Anonymous said...

Have what I believe is a very old cream pot, it says PROPERTY OF CLINTON CAFETERIA, SAN FRANCISCO.
THEN BELOW THAT GORHAM, below that an anchor w/shield around it, under that E.P.,UNDER That 03556,under that 8 oz,under that a small acorn.
Now to right side of all this is a larger acorn, and to the left is the numbers 378.
This is all stamped, and looks very, very old.

Anonymous said...

Have what I believe is a very old cream pot, it says PROPERTY OF CLINTON CAFETERIA, SAN FRANCISCO.
THEN BELOW THAT GORHAM, below that an anchor w/shield around it, under that E.P.,UNDER That 03556,under that 8 oz,under that a small acorn.
Now to right side of all this is a larger acorn, and to the left is the numbers 378.
This is all stamped, and looks very, very old.

Silver Jim said...

This is in response to the question about the Clinton Cafeteria creamer.

It once was common for restaurants and hotels to have items like this made for them. It's my understanding the Clinton Cafeteria in San Francisco opened during the Great Depression.

You creamer is made of silver plate. Therefore, it does not have significant value based upon silver content. It might have value to collectors of items like this.