posted 07-10-2004 06:43 PM            

Just inherited an amazing Tea- or Coffee-Pot.

On the bottom it reads LAMBERT, COVENTRY STREET, LONDON. Around the neck I see four hallmarks

first mark is LC;
second is a Lion;
third one looks like a cat head and
fourth hallmark shows an ' f '.
LC, Lion and 'f" are also incised inside of lid.

Thanks to everybody who's helping.

tins-and-things/New England

posted 07-11-2004 11:47 AM            

Regarding the marks, LC is the maker, the lion indicated sterling silver, the cat's face (in fact a leopard) that the item was assayed in London, and "f", the year.

This date letter depends on the very precise form of the letter and the shield or cartoche it is in. A lower-case "f", for example, was used in 1563/4 1623/4 1683/4 1741/2 1781/2 1821/2 1861/2 1901/2 1921/2 1961/2.

From 1786 to 1890, one would expect to find a duty mark (the profile of a king or queen) indicating that tax had been paid.

posted 07-12-2004 07:04 AM            

Both answers were very helpful. And yes, it is a ' G ' (as George). Letter is placed in the vertical line of the Letter ' L '. Letters are serif letters (like the TIMES as font) and the ' f ' is NOT a capital ' F ' .

Thanks again for advice.

All the best.
Ernest
'The Habberdasher'