posted 06-21-2015 12:08 PM            

Hello, and thank you for having me.

I am very new to having silver having received my first tea set only a month ago. I have always wanted a silver tea set and found one abandoned in a storage room. For a small donation I was able to bring it home. I found this forum while looking around for how to properly clean and use it. I hope I can learn and keep collecting and become a useful contributor here.

posted 06-21-2015 09:05 PM            

My set I believe is Gorham and just from the 1980s, so not all that valuable, but it is complete and I just really liked it. I'm a big tea drinker and plan to use it as much as possible. I think it's from the 80s b/c I looked up the marks on the bottom. I'll try to post pictures but here's the info inscribed on each piece.

GORHAM
[rt. facing lion in octagon] [anchor in lozenge shaped outline] [G in octagon]
STERLING
then a pattern number:

Coffee pot: A8201
2 3/4 PINT

Tea pot: A8202
2 PINT

Tea caddy: A8203

Cream: A8204
1/2 PINT

Sugar: A8205

Hot Water pot: A8206
3 PINT

Hot water pot holder with heater: A8206

This one also has some different markings. The heater element has a P, PATENT 1915 and then like a winged foot of Mercury after it. The holder just has the winged foot beneath the 4 IDs (Gorham, marks, Sterling and pattern number).

The handles and knobs appear to be a dark maybe even black stained wood. The knobs really need attention as this set has not been taken care of in a long time.

I have searched for Gorham plus the A8??? numbers and haven't found any info or pictures on line.

Besides the wood it is in pretty good shape. The heating element has a pretty spiral action to open and close the hole to control the heat.

posted 06-21-2015 09:18 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by June Martin:
Welcome to the forums teasetz. Tell us a bit more about your teaset so we can advise about proper care. Do you know if it is sterling silver or silverplate?

---

June - I wrote a reply to you, but I don't see it. Perhaps I did it incorrectly. I used the "Post Reply" button next to the "Post New Topic" button. I don't know where my reply went!

posted 06-21-2015 10:14 PM            

I don't know how to tell the difference between silver and silver plate, but I don't see a number like you do on sterling jewelery, so I assume plate? Also, I suspect no one would have cast off such a set if it was sterling.

I've taken some pictures of the set and the markings and I'm reading all the info on how to post pictures. I hope to have it sorted soon so I can show you what it looks like.

posted 06-21-2015 10:57 PM            

I've taken pictures to show the set, some detail, the wooden parts, the marks typical of all the pieces, the heating element and stand the marks on those pieces which differ a bit from the pots and other containers. Hope someone can help me figure out more about my set!

posted 06-22-2015 04:14 AM            

I've done quite a lot of reading on the site today, and I'm guessing the big "P" on the heating element means plate, right?

I'm sad to report that, though I liked the slightly tarnished look of the set as I got it, my young daughter and her baby sitter decided to "surprise" me by polishing it one day while I was working. The sitter used toothpaste. I am a rank beginner, but even I know from my research not to use toothpaste. I hope it hasn't spoiled it for good.

Edited to add pic!

[This message has been edited by teasetz (edited 06-22-2015).]

posted 06-22-2015 12:17 PM            

Don't use toothpaste again, but don't worry, it's not ruined. The reason people advise against toothpaste is that it can be too abrasive and wear off too much of the silver, but that's probably not a huge concern this one time--more of a problem cumulatively.

posted 06-22-2015 12:23 PM            

If you do computer searches for Gorham sterling hallmarks, Gorham sterling pattern numbers, and Gorham date marks, you'll find lots of info.

posted 06-22-2015 06:39 PM            

I have had the set for a couple months and done so many searches for Gorham A8-- tea set, tea and coffee set, etc. I must be doing something wrong bc I have been unable to get anything at all. No pattern name, no dating info, and not a single picture that looks like mine. What am I doing wrong, I wonder? I've even checked those replacement services to see if they had any info.

This is the page I used to guess it was 1980s

I guessed 1980s because the G was in a shape like the one next to 1980 in that picture. Since asheland's reply I now see the winged sandal on the left side date mark list. But why would it be only on the heating element and stand? Why not also on the pots? The set might easily get broken up, so wouldn't they have dated all the pieces?

How lovely that it's sterling. Could the big P perhaps mean that just that piece is plate? I could see how the heating element might be made of a different material than the rest of the set then plated to match. Perhaps the heating element needs to be of a stronger metal or one with higher heat tolerance?

Is there a part of this forum I could search for how to care for the wood?

Many thanks, Polly, Ashland and June for your help and interest!

posted 06-22-2015 10:10 PM            

The P doesn't mean plated. If it were plated, it would not be stamped STERLING. That would be deceptive and illegal, and not something a reputable firm like Gorham would do. If it's stamped STERLING, it's made of sterling.

I don't know why some of the pieces are marked with the 1925 winged sandal and others aren't--possibly the un-date-marked pieces were made a bit later, between 1933-1941, when Gorham didn't use date marks? Or possibly they just left out that mark for some reason. But all the pieces clearly match the pattern, and the pattern numbers are very close together, indicating that they're part of the same pattern.

posted 06-22-2015 11:44 PM            

The loose handle and finials can be repaired and put back on tightly but you will need to take it to a skilled silver smith. It will not be inexpensive since you would be paying a highly skilled artisan for a number of hours of their work, but the end result will put everything back to rights.

posted 06-23-2015 03:24 AM            

ahwt - Thanks for your reply! You are correct: both pots have strainers at the seat of the spouts. But, I notice that so does the kettle. That seems odd, does it not? And why would the two pots be such different sizes if they were both meant for tea? I'm surprised how much there is to learn about this! May I ask what happened when you used the burner? Was the close call something that would have damaged the set or did you mean it's just not a safe heating element and is a fire hazard? Also, what type of fuel goes in the spout? I would so love to really use it, but I won't risk using the burner if it's hazardous.

Kimo - thank you! I figured that pot was just for extra hot water to make the next pot of tea. I hadn't realized it was the kettle itself. I live in Asia so I'll have to scout about to see where I can find a good silversmith. This would be easier if I was back home in the US. There is some damage to the spout of one of the pots so it does need to be seen. Perhaps I can take it home with me this summer and search for someone in the Philadelphia area. It's interesting what you say about perhaps someone having built the set over time.

Since getting all your replies I have gone back to the set to see if there are any other identifying marks. I see that on the 2 pots and the sugar, cream and waste (?) there is an additional small mark to the left and below the marks mentioned/photographed above. It looks like a double knot of rope being tied. The kettle, which sits on the heater and stand that have the winged foot, does not have this mark.

What a little mystery my set is turning out to be!

Is it okay to use it as a real tea serving set? I don't want to spoil it, but my dream was to use it sort of regularly.

posted 06-23-2015 03:47 AM            

The "knot" in relation to the other marks. This placement is consistent on all the pieces with both marks.

Kettle with strainer as well

The pattern

Damage to one spout - is it fixable?

posted 06-23-2015 03:52 AM            

1910 =

posted 06-23-2015 09:44 AM            

That's quite a nice set!

posted 06-23-2015 09:37 PM            

asheland - I'm glad to hear it's repairable. I think I'll take the pots, kettle and sugar bowl lid home with me this summer and have them fixed. I need to take just what I can do carry-on as I don't want to put any of the pieces in checked luggage.

ahwt - thanks for explaining what happened with your heater. Mine does have that nifty action to open and close it to control the heat. The arm with the wooden bit at the end causes the plates to spiral more opened or more closed. I'm hoping that proves to be effective heat management.

You must all be laughing at my post last night where I "found on the internet" the knot mark. I looked back and saw that that mark was on the original page I had found for date marking. I was just so convinced in was from the 1980s that I never looked at those pictures on the left! I guess that's the joy of being a beginner: you can "discover" the same very obvious thing more than once and it still feels like an accomplishment!

As for using the set, do I need to do anything to the inside of the pots before using them for hot water and tea? Do I just clean them with regular dish soap and that's it? I brew loose tea every day in ceramic. When I get a new pot I hand wash it with regular dish soap and from then on I just rinse it each day. I don't like any tastes to get into my tea other than tea! Can I do the same with the silver?

posted 06-24-2015 02:37 AM            

As for the different sized pots, in a full set the largest is called the coffee pot, the next largest is called the tea pot, and the third largest is called the chocolate pot since these were the hot beverages that were meant to be poured from them. Your set has two pots so the larger would be the coffee and the smaller would be the tea.

Also, what you are calling a tea caddy is actually called the waste bowl or sometimes the slop bowl. It is used and a delicate way to hide the used tea leaves or coffee grounds and whatever is being discarded. Your tea caddy would normally be a separate wooden box, often ornate, with a tight fitting lid and usually a lock and key to keep the servants from pilfering your valuable tea.

Was there also a tray somewhere in that storage room? It might be worth the time to go back and look as tea sets typically had a nice large matching tray on which the tea set was placed.

When you take the damaged pieces to a silver smith in Philadelphia be sure to get in touch with the smith well in advance and discuss what you would like done so they can be scheduled into their work and get at least an initial estimate of the cost since as I mentioned you can get sticker shock if you do not realize that a silver smith is is a highly trained and talented artist.

posted 06-24-2015 02:49 AM            

I had imagined the vessel with the lid being the tea caddy and the sugar bowl as the open bowl. Thanks for explaining it too me. I wouldn't have used it for tea b/c I keep my teas in a very specific way in their own double-sealed caddies.

I'm intrigued about the waste bowl. Since the infuser isn't removable (it's set up as the strainer at the bottom of the spout) you couldn't get the old leaves out and into the waste bowl without rinsing them out with a fair amount of water. So I wonder what they did - scoop them out? Maybe I'll just think of something nice to put in the waste bowl.

Yes, I don't want any of the pieces to go missing so I'll only take what I can easily carry on with me.

I found this set while cleaning out the storage room so I know there was no tray. That's why I was hoping to find out the name of the pattern so I could search for a tray. So far, no search terms I use with the A8--- numbers brings up any pattern name. I wonder if I could ask Gorham?

Thanks for the tips about repairing. I will search for silversmiths now and send pictures. There are still several weeks before we fly.

posted 06-25-2015 08:04 AM            

And thank you for explaining the waste bowl. Now it makes sense!

I so wish I could find the pattern name so that I could search for a tray (Not that I could probably afford it. It was sheer luck that I have this set, but, a girl can dream!)

posted 06-25-2015 09:21 PM            

I'm happy the chart helped you, but I can take no credit. I copy-pasted a link and when I checked back it was all pretty like that. I assumed one of the moderators had fixed it up for me, but I didn't see any indication that it was edited. Either they did and we can't tell or this site is just very nicely set up for the technically challenged like myself!

posted 06-26-2015 09:57 AM            

teasetz, I'm a huge fan or Gorham, they made some wonderful pieces indeed!

We have started a separate thread for the following:
I'm a huge fan of Gorham

Here's one of the Gorham pieces in my collection:

It's a small piece but the work is top notch (all done by hand)

posted 06-26-2015 10:15 PM            

Here's a suggestion for a use for that waste bowl: sugar alternatives. I've used mine for artificial sugar, stevia, brown sugars. It's a perfect functional match. And you'd probably end up trying to find a bowl or container for them anyway.

Although I haven't done this, I can imagine that you could also use it for individual tea bags, using the pot or kettle for plain water, to give guests choices of teas.

posted 07-07-2015 04:51 AM            

It is my exact tea set with the same numbering (A82--)and the double knot 1910 mark. BUT, it hasn't got the decorative pattern on it. It has the same top and bottom edge pattern that looks like waves, but no pattern on the body of the pots like mine. Curious!

posted 07-07-2015 10:50 AM            

Some of their information is on a set of CD-ROMS that came out a few years ago. I don't have them, but a friend of mine does. He has tried to look up my large fish tray with no luck! Sometimes, these items just remain a mystery.

posted 07-07-2015 10:53 PM            

I do prefer mine with the engraving and that was the thing that attracted me to it initially. The one without looks so plain to me now, though I'm sure it wouldn't have if I hadn't seen mine first.

I'm thinking perhaps the engraving was later since the pots and bowls are 1910 and the engraving of the kettle matches in 1925, so perhaps it was done all at once after the kettle was added to the set. Who knows - but it's fun to speculate!

posted 07-08-2015 09:36 PM            

Some observations:

- wow, do silver teapots get hot!
- the strainer is not enough; an external stainer is necessary, but I should have known that as it's always the case whether metal or ceramic
- I think the tea does take on a slight metallic taste. I'll have to keep experimenting

Is was quite fun to finally use it! My real challenge is that the pot is at least 4 cups worth and since I cannot remove the leaves to stop the infusion I must use the tea all at once. Hence, I think it will mostly come out when I have company. I'll also look for a very large infuser to put inside. The challenge there, though, is the limitation of the opening of the pot.

Anyway, I'm just so thrilled to have finally used it!!

posted 07-10-2015 03:58 PM            

Also, you are correct that the integral strainer inside spout where it joins the body of the pot does not strain out enough of most tea leaves unless you are using something like pearl tea which are whole tea leaves rolled up into little pea sized balls that unfold when you steep them in hot water. I think the limited effectiveness of such built in strainers is by design to keep the tea pouring - otherwise the tea leaves would very quickly clog up a finer mesh there and you would struggle to get a whole cup of tea poured at one go. The good news is of course that there are separate tea strainers, and also tea infusers. Infusers are small perforated containers into which you put your tea and then lower it into the hot water inside the pot. Essentially they are like a metal tea bag. There are many different designs of such infusers and strainers and silver smiths have been able to create very beautiful ones. My favorite infuser is a Gorham made one sometimes called the man in the moon. You can start a collection of all different kinds of silver strainers and infusers.

posted 07-11-2015 04:29 AM            

I have already sourced some infusers - I just have to strike a balance between infuser size and opening of the teapot. The bigger the infuser the vastly better the steeping. Small infusers simply don't allow enough leaf and water contact.

I actually do have a ceramic pot with a built in mesh strainer over the inside opening to the spout and it works fine, actually. The tea pours out with no problem. The real issue is cleaning it! Getting inside to really get the mesh clean = not fun.

I suspect that I'll eventually brew tea in one of my ceramic pots and decant it into the silver pot after heating that pot with hot water. I'll use it for service as opposed to brewing. I'm just particular about the brewing!!

posted 07-26-2015 05:17 PM            

After a very rough journey back to the US (without my silver, I'm afraid. I'll try to bring the damaged piece at Christmas) I just got an email from my mother-in-law asking if I would like her mother's silver service for 12!!!

The email just came through and so far no pictures. She explained "Mother collected her sterling flatware a piece or a place-setting at a time, over many years after she and Dad married. She finished up with a service for 12, with several serving pieces as well, all housed in a wooden case."

Her mother and father were antiques dealers for decades in TX and GA. I'm so excited to see what might be in there! I'll update when I find out more. Maybe I don't need to go shopping this summer to continue my collecting!