What is this?

A blog reader purchased this item on eBay. It's from Walker & Hall and is just under 5 inches long. The seller said it was a sardine server.

 

The buyer wonders if this truly is a sardine server. You can't tell from the picture but the bowl slants downward. Normally, a serving piece is designed to be used with the pattern facing up. For this piece, the angle of the bowl with respect to the pattern does not make sense for a sardine server.

 

If you have any ideas, post a comment.



 

 

Picture courtesy www.eBay.com

Identification Help

A blog reader has asked for help in identifying and estimating a value for the unusual set in the pictures. The only mark on the pieces is the number, '800'.

If you know anything about these pieces, post a comment or send us an email.

Thanks!

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

Question about Reed and Barton Love Disarmed

A blog reader has asked a question regarding Reed and Barton's Love Disarmed sterling flatware, "How can one distinguish between the original release of this pattern and the newer release?"

I don't know the answer. If you have some information on this subject, please add a comment or send us an email.

Thanks!

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

Identification Help

A blog reader sent us the pictures below with a request for help in identifying the marks. Please add a comment or send us an email if you have an idea.




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Silver Patterns of Famous People

A while back, we asked readers to submit topics of interest for this blog. A reader has responded with a request to discuss silver patterns of famous people, both alive now and from the past.

So, here's what we'll do. This post will lead off the list with one such pattern and we ask that you attach comments to this post, telling us what you know on this topic. The first comment is from the reader who suggested this topic.

To see the list, just click on "Comments/Questions" below this post.

Here's the first match - an easy one because it's mentioned in so many places. The pattern chosen by the Bush family for Air Force One is Gorham Chantilly.

Let us hear from you.

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Information Request About This Pot

A reader of this blog has asked us if we have any information about the Tiffany coffee pot seen in these pictures. He basically has the information supplied on the bottom of the pot:

TIFFANY & Co.
7054 MAKERS 2684
Sterling Silver
925-1000

The reader would like to learn any additional information about this pot such as:

• Approximate date of manufacture
• Pattern name
• Designer's name
• Market value
• Manufacturer's name (if subcontracted by Tiffany)

If you have any information about this pot, please add a comment or send us an email. Thanks!

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

Identification Help

A blog reader has submitted these pictures of a piece to seek help with identifying it. It has the number, "800", on the bottom. You can see the length in the pictures. If you have some idea of what is is, send us an email or post a comment.

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

Identification Help - Steel Flatware

We received a question regarding the pieces you see in the picture. They appear to be made of steel and have enameled handles. The phrase, "JR&Co." is on each handle.

Can anyone out there help identify what these might be? Send an email or post a comment.


Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

U.S. Government Restriction on Pattern Pieces?

A blog reader sent in the following question:

I remember reading somewhere that the US government limited the number of pieces that could be made in any pattern. I believe I remember reading this was after the Victorian era because they created so many pieces. Is this true and if so what did they limit the number to?

No one in our group is aware of this. Can anyone out there help? Send an email or post a comment.

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

Information Request - Silver Flatware from Greece

We have been asked if we know anything about the flatware in the pictures. It's from Greece. The original owner lived in Greece many years ago.

We have no knowledge about this but if anyone out there knows anything about it, please post a comment or send us an email. For example, we would like to know pattern name, silver content, manufacturer, definition of the hallmark or anything else that will help the blog reader know more about this set.

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

Candelabra Identification Question

A reader named Jeffrey has asked for assistance in identifying the candelabra shown in these pictures. I am not familiar with the mark, "SA". If you have any ideas, please add your comment or send us an email.

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

eBay Reviews and Guides

Have you had trouble finding the information you need regarding sterling flatware? Here's another source of information:

eBay Reviews and Guides

I suggest entering "sterling flatware" in the keyword search field as a starting search. You can refine your search once you see the type of information available. You''ll probably be more interested in Guides than Reviews. Most of these were written by people who have knowledge about a specific subject. For example, you can find Guides that discuss these topics related to sterling:

• Cleaning
• Buying
• Selling
• Identifying
• Specific manufacturers
• Silver purity
• Setting the table

Be aware that some Guides may not be completely accurate or the author may have a particular bias so don't assume that you have the best answer. On the other hand, this is a good place to go for additional information.

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

Another Reference Source - Hallmarks & Patterns

We received a comment today from the folks at Antique Sterling Research. Their blog has an impressive list of hallmarks and pattern identification information. If you are trying to identify hallmarks or a sterling flatware pattern, check it out.

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

Piece of the Day - Chocolate Muddler

Now and then, we'll post a "Piece of the Day" as we run across interesting pieces. Today's piece is a Gorham Buttercup chocolate muddler. We chose it because we like the name! The picture below was copied from The "Buttercup" Spoons and Forks, published in 1900 by Gorham Manufacturing Company. The piece is 8 3/8 inches long.

We have never used a chocolate muddler but we read on WorthPoint.com that they are used to stir hot chocolate in chocolate pots to prevent the chocolate from settling in the bottom.

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

Another Reference Source

We've come across another web site that answers questions about sterling. We don't profess to have all the answers and welcome new resources. In fact, we recently submitted a question to this web site ourselves!

Michelle at allexperts.com provides quick and helpful responses to questions about sterling.

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

Ice Cream Fork & Spoon Caveat Emptor

This is a follow up to an earlier post, "Made Up Sterling Flatware Pieces".

I'm seeing a number of sterling "Ice Cream Forks" and "Ice Cream Spoons" being advertised for sale. Be aware that many of these are not original pieces from the manufacturer. They are pieces that have been created from other pieces. For example, someone might take a spoon and carve out tines to make it look like an ice cream fork.

To be fair, most of the sellers have identified the pieces as being "custom". Also, many manufacturers did make legitimate ice cream forks and spoons.

So, read the fine print carefully before you buy.

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

How Can I Tell If It's Real Silver? - Part 2

Back in February, we posted an article, "How Can I Tell If It's Real Silver". This is a followup to that post.

There is another way to try to identify the metal content of a piece - by using an acid test - literally! We purchased a test kit with a small vial of acid. The metal will react with the acid and the color to which the liquid changes is a clue regarding metal content. We tried it on a sterling piece and it appeared to work. In the case of "92.5% silver", which is the definition of sterling, the color was a dark red.

So, if you really want to do this, you can find these acid kits on eBay. Be aware that you have to scratch the piece a bit in order to perform the test. The acid also dulls the piece and leaves a mark. You probably can polish that out. You can use this kit to try to identify:

• Pure silver
• 92.5% silver (sterling)
• 80.0% silver
• 50% silver
• Lead
• Tin
• Brass
• Copper
• Nickel
• Zinc
• Palladium
• Gold

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

Identification Help Request

Here is a request we received from a blog reader.

I am sending you a picture of a Hallmark that we cannot find. We have looked all over and no one seems to know where it comes from or what it means. Can you look at the Hallmark on my old tableware and tell me where I can find where it came from. The Hallmark I am sending is on the old case as well as on the back of the tableware.

This is really an unusual one. Does anyone know its origin? Post a comment or send us an email.

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

Identification Help Request

A blog reader has asked for help in identifying a piece. The item in the picture below weighs about three ounces and holds about one ounce liquid. Can anyone out there tell us what it is?

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

Identification Help Request

A blog reader sent a request to us for help in identifying the pattern of a master butter knife. It appears to be a very old Gorham piece. It is along the lines of Versailles and Mythologique. It’s 7 ½” long, weighs 49 grams – woman with wheat and a bull’s head on the front and a gargoyle face on the back.

Can anyone out there help? Attach a comment or send us an email if you can.

Thanks.

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.