posted 08-30-2002 11:32 AM            

Can you please help me identify and date the Coffee/Tea Set. The lids have what looks like a small grape vine or something on it. The bottom reads SILVER ON COPPER then under that is a Puffy CROWN and then there are three initials in script, it looks like each initial is in a box and I think is says:

B S C and then under that is Reg

Please feel free to email me with a response, or hopefully I can find this thread later to see any response.

Thanks for the help!

posted 08-30-2002 12:38 PM            

The marks you describe sound very much like that of the Birmingham Silver Co. of Brooklyn, NY, and later Yalesville, CT. The company was the successor to the Goldfeder Silver Co., founded by Sol Goldfeder in 1932. The company became Birmingham Silver Co. sometime before 1957. The marks of the company include a "puffy" crown, B S C in gothic capitals, and "Silver on Copper". They made high quality silverplate, much of it in an English style.

The crown is indeed a mark often associated with English silverplate. It is the town mark of Sheffield, which was the center of production of Old Sheffield Plate. Unfortunately, some American companies, including Birmingham Silver, incorporate a similar crown into their trademarks.

Your set is very traditional in style, and similar sets have been made for many years and are still being made today. I'm afraid that your set most likely dates from the 1950's or later.

I hope this helps!