|
|
|
| How to Post Photos |
REGISTER (click here)
|
|
|
|
| How to Post Photos |
REGISTER (click here)
|
|
 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 American Sterling Silver
 ONC
|
 SSFFriend: Email This Page to Someone! |
next newest topic | next oldest topic |
| Author | Topic: ONC |
|
vathek Posts: 966 |
posted 09-14-2008 04:31 PM
  
[01-2681] Is there a way to date Old Newbury Crafters work from the marks? IP: Logged |
|
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 |
posted 09-14-2008 05:50 PM
See Old Newbury Crafters unique maker's marks IP: Logged |
|
vathek Posts: 966 |
posted 09-15-2008 10:04 AM
Thanks Scott, but these are the marks used only after 1960. I was curious about the marks used prior to those. IP: Logged |
|
middletom Posts: 467 |
posted 09-24-2008 04:47 PM
Vathek, Prior to the use of individual marks for each silversmith, as Scott said dating from the early 1960s, only the company stamps were used. Swift Barnes, who bought the company in 1955, introduced the use of the "handwrought" stamp to go along with the company stamp. Pieces made before 1955 were marked "ONC sterling", and I have seen old pieces marked "sterling ONC". Those were usually with raised letters, which I think is called "intaglio", though I can't be positive that that style was always used prior to 1955. I think Mr. Barnes also started the use of the stamps which strike the letters into the silver. Dating a piece made before 1955 is very difficult. IP: Logged |
|
jersey Posts: 1203 |
posted 09-24-2008 09:13 PM
Hello Middletom! Just curious, regardless of the time frame, do you keep records of special order pieces, such as who ordered them? Example: ones with monograms, or inscriptions. If so, are those records available to anyone, say, who acquires an estate piece & would want to trace their history with you. Thank you for your time. Jersey IP: Logged |
|
middletom Posts: 467 |
posted 09-28-2008 09:12 PM
Jersey, The company sales records can tell what has been sold, though those records would only provide clear information on items in our standard flatware lines. When we make a custom piece or pieces, we try, usually, to make a drawing of the work with a mention of the stock size used and the customer's name. For engraved pieces, we do not normally keep records of those as the engraving is done outside. Occasionally, sales records may have mention of what was engraved, but without more detail than that, it would be hard to research an item. I don't know if this helps to answer your question, but it is late and I'm tired and all this may not make much sense in the light of day. IP: Logged |
|
vathek Posts: 966 |
posted 09-29-2008 01:23 PM
middletom: thanks for the info. I guess that dates this piece prior to 1955. I guess it's an individual asparagus server? It measures approx 5". It's complete mark is 'sterling onc'. I'm not even sure what the pattern is.  IP: Logged |
|
jersey Posts: 1203 |
posted 09-29-2008 05:42 PM
Thanks, Middletom! Even in the dark of night, it's clear as a bell! Don't work so hard! Jersey [This message has been edited by jersey (edited 09-29-2008).] IP: Logged |
|
middletom Posts: 467 |
posted 10-01-2008 04:11 PM
Vathek, You have me stumped with that one. I've never seen a tong design like that and the handle pattern is not one of ours. You say that it is stamped "sterling ONC", yet I can not see that in the stamps you show. None of those looks like anything ONC ever put on a piece. Are you sure it is an ONC piece? Can you show a picture of the "sterling ONC" stamp? IP: Logged |
|
middletom Posts: 467 |
posted 10-01-2008 04:21 PM
Jersey, The best way to tell if one of our pieces is custom is to compare it to the pictures of our flatware patterns in our brochure. That would tell you if the handle design was one of our standards or not. In the ase of the utensil part, the best way to tell if it was a custom piece would be to send a picture to us at Old Newbury Crafers P.O. Box 196 Amesbury, MA 01913. We would then be better able to identify the piece. I can't work less. I don't know how to slow down. If you have a piece of ONC that you are not sure of, we'd be happy to hear from you. middletom IP: Logged |
|
vathek Posts: 966 |
posted 10-01-2008 04:44 PM
middletom: This is the best pic I'm likely to get as the stamp is less than 1/16" high and in the middle of the tongs. I'm certain the first letter is an O and the middle outline could, it seems, only fit an N, while the last one could only be a C or a G. My edition of Rainwater is an older one and I could not even come close to anything else. If anyone has some suggestions as to other solutions, I would be interested in them. IP: Logged |
|
jersey Posts: 1203 |
posted 10-01-2008 06:12 PM
Thanks again Middletom! At this time I do not own any of ONC's great pieces, but am very happy to get the info you so generously shared. If I do get lucky in the future I'll take you up on your kind offer. Jersey IP: Logged |
|
salmoned Posts: 336 |
posted 10-01-2008 08:36 PM
I suspect this may be a G H French mark that shows some wear/damage. I've seen a cigarette case with a very similar mark. [This message has been edited by salmoned (edited 10-01-2008).] IP: Logged |
|
vathek Posts: 966 |
posted 10-03-2008 01:07 PM
salmoned: You are right, it is G H French, now that I know what to look for. If only Rainwater would have shown the proper marks for ONC... IP: Logged |
|
middletom Posts: 467 |
posted 10-03-2008 03:24 PM
Vathek, Rainwater, I'm sure, had only the information from Mr. Barnes at ONC and he most likely did not give her a clear accounting of the stampings from the past. Somewhat on that subject, the information which Mr. Barnes did give to Rainwater included a picture of a griffon. Mr. Barnes had adopted that design from the emblem of a large estate owned by the Mosley family in Newburyport, MA. He had it put on the company stationery and brochures, but it was not stamped on our silver. That has caused us a good deal of trouble in recent years, because the Meriden Silver company had a similar griffon as their company emblem and it was put on their silver. As a result, a number of Meriden pieces have appeared at auction and been attributed to us because the seller looked into Rainwater and saw the griffon under the ONC listing. That griffon never should have been displayed with our name, for it has just caused a good deal of confusion. By the way, that is a beautiful set of tongs. The design reminds me of some of Shreve&co. work. middletom IP: Logged |
|
vathek Posts: 966 |
posted 10-04-2008 06:30 AM
Thanks for all your help middletom. I have seen quite a few pieces with the Meriden mark attributed to ONC. IP: Logged |
All times are ET | next newest topic | next oldest topic |
  |
|
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.46a
|
1. Public Silver Forums (open Free membership) - anyone with a valid e-mail address may register. Once you have received your Silver Salon Forum password, and then if you abide by the Silver Salon Forum Guidelines, you may start a thread or post a reply in the New Members' Forum. New Members who show a continued willingness to participate, to completely read and abide by the Guidelines will be allowed to post to the Member Public Forums. 2. Private Silver Salon Forums (invitational or $ donation membership) - The Private Silver Salon Forums require registration and special authorization to view, search, start a thread or to post a reply. Special authorization can be obtained in one of several ways: by Invitation; Annual $ Donation; or via Special Limited Membership. For more details click here (under development). 3. Administrative/Special Private Forums (special membership required) - These forums are reserved for special subjects or administrative discussion. These forums are not open to the public and require special authorization to view or post. |
|
copyright © 1993 - 2022
SM Publications
All Rights Reserved. Legal & Privacy Notices |
