posted 02-21-2009 11:20 PM            

Marc details this relative dating in his post. I was wondering what if a Gorham flatware piece of a known pattern is just marked sterling with the LAG, is there a relative way to date the piece?

Thanks for any info on this subject.

posted 03-06-2009 08:46 PM            

Years ago, I worked at closing a number of the old time jewelery stores. Got to know some of their practices. This was 30 years ago and they were quite old then. One had inheireted his store from his father before WW1, had been in business for 65 years.

Jewelers had a 'circular' which was sort of like a chain letter. On it they would put down items they needed for a customer and what they would trade for it. Something like: need Chantilly gravy ladle, will trade same in Buttercup or pattern of choice. A jeweler receiving the letter would then call or telegraph that one was on its way. If it was late in the week, a Sunday trip might be in order. Or it might be sent with a jewelry salesman. Or maybe mailed.

They did this with all their inventory. It was to create the illusion of turning it, to convince the customer that there was competition for items. One even told me of every three months attending a get together where several dozens jewelers brought the merchandise they were tired of and traded off. This was called 'a buying trip'.

Pieces could spend years in this cycle. So, it would not be unheard of for a Gorham piece to be sold 15 years after production and a tour of 6 states.