posted 03-18-2003 05:23 PM              

I have searched for 6 months to find some info on the markings which say HUMBORG thena tiny thing that looks like an A with wings (can't make it out even with a mag glass) then an 800, cresent moon and crown. I don't know if it is silverplate or sterling or where it was made.

My friend had said her grandmother brought it out of Europe during the war but that was all she knew. I've looked everywhere and spent so much on books and so much time at the library and can't find enough to know at all what it is? The set for six is too small for my usual entertaining and I don't have the money to find a suitable set to mix with it.

Can anybody tell me anything?

posted 03-18-2003 10:36 PM            

Based on the information from the silverplate post, I can tell you that your set is German, late 19th or early 20th Century. The crescent and crown mark is the German quality mark, and 800 denotes the silver content, 800/1000 or 80% silver. This is significantly lower than the sterling standard, which is 92.5% silver, but it IS solid silver, not plate. The winged "A" is probably the mark of the manufacturer, and HUMBORG is likely the name of the jeweler or other retailer who sold the set originally.

I hope this answers your questions. I will see if I can identify the manufacturer's mark for you, but don't get your hopes up. Unfortunately, there are not many readily available books on continental silver manufacturers.