Wallace tea set and removal of monogram

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Wallace tea set and removal of monogram

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Author	Topic: Wallace tea set and removal of monogram
Grammy K Posts: 4 Registered: Oct 2001	posted 10-01-2001 12:58 AM I have the opportunity to purchase a five piece sterling tea set plus trav for a very low price. It is in a small "home" antique shop which specializes in furniture; in fact, this was the only silver in the entire shop. The clerk had no information except the price. On the bottom of each piece: sterling Wallace 3370 "antique" On the bottom of the tray: Wallace 475 Each hollow ware piece has a very ornate three initial monogram; while not worn, it is so ornate, I can not identify the middle initial with certainty; it is not deeply engraved. My questions: The set is so inexpensive, I wonder if it is probable it might not really be sterling? What is your best guess on the age: antique, old, or merely second hand used? (Although it is in very good condition, it obviously is not new -- has a patina and a few very light scratches, as well as traces of silver polish in the insulation joints, which are black and have fine cracks). Does the monogram add to or subtract from the value? Is it practical to remove the monograms? Any idea of the cost? This seems like a wonderful service. Thank you for any help you can give me. IP: Logged
Paul Lemieux Posts: 1792 Registered: Apr 2000	posted 10-01-2001 02:09 AM I don't see any reason why this set would not be sterling. Sometimes sterling things can be had cheaply. If the place specializes in furniture, they might not know how to price silver. The tray doesn't sound like sterling, which is not uncommon. Silverplated ones were often purchased with a sterling set since a sterling tray would be very expensive. It is from the 20th century; I would say probably 50-75 years old. "Antique" is probably the name of the service's pattern. I would definitely not remove the monogram, even if they are not your initials. It thins the silver, requires buffing which removes the patina, and also lowers the value. Plus a monogram looks nice, I think. It sounds like you like the set...and if it is a good price, I would seize the opportunity! IP: Logged
Ulysses Dietz Moderator Posts: 1265 Registered: May 99	posted 10-02-2001 11:15 AM I would agree on all counts. There is a lot of inexpensive sterling out there that is old but not "antique." I am definitely against buffing off monograms, and I'd just live with it (or change your name to match?). You might look and see if there are books on Wallace Sterling out there, and see if you can find out when "Antique" was made--it might match a flatware pattern. All of this is uniquely American--the designation of pattern names, and coordinated flatware and hollowware--all for the American market, tapping into our sensibility and our love of named patterns and the romantic heritage of silver. IP: Logged
Paul Lemieux Posts: 1792 Registered: Apr 2000	posted 10-02-2001 11:42 AM Wallace's Antique flatware pattern was aparently patented or designed in 1926. So the set would date to that year or after. IP: Logged
Grammy K Posts: 4 Registered: Oct 2001	posted 11-20-2001 12:06 AM Thanks to those who replied. Once again I learned that she who hesitates is lost. After reading first reply I called the store only to learn I had been quoted the wrong price: $350 vs $4500!!! If I had bought it that day for 350 and later learned the correct price (since I would have paid by check, I am certain I would have been notified) my conscience would not have let me keep it.....but I am glad I was not put to the test! Thanks again for the info. IP: Logged

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