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 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 American Silver before sterling
 Silverplate, John A Miller
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| Author | Topic: Silverplate, John A Miller |
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bibit Posts: 16 |
posted 01-12-2007 11:25 AM
  
[26-1312] hello all, I have come across a few heavy silverplate flatware pieces that are marked on the back in block letters, "John A Miller" does any know who this might be? One pattern is very plain and one is a rat tail pattern. Is it possible that this could be from a shop? Somewhere I had read that stores sometimes would stamp silver, but I have never heard this about silverplate. Any help would be appreciated. Also, I have one more question, is antique flatware safe to eat with? IP: Logged |
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doc Posts: 728 |
posted 01-12-2007 12:00 PM
I have found a reference to a John Miller who was a watchmaker in Paducah, Kentucky from 1840-1880's, so perhaps this is a retail mark for silver he sold in a shop there? The reference came from a list of articles in a back issue of Silver Magazine from January/February 1982. I will look this weekend to see if I have this issue. IP: Logged |
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bibit Posts: 16 |
posted 01-12-2007 01:56 PM
How wonderful and interesting. thank you, I will check back in.... IP: Logged |
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doc Posts: 728 |
posted 01-14-2007 09:27 PM
Sorry-my collection of old Silver Magazines did not include the volume I referred to. Anyone else have it? It should be in an article by Robert Green updating his list of American silvermakers. IP: Logged |
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FWG Posts: 845 |
posted 01-15-2007 10:47 AM
Boultinghouse's Silversmiths of Kentucky has a half-page on this John A. Miller. He appeared in the 1870 census for Paducah Co, as a jewelry dealer, and advertised as a watchmaker and jewelry dealer that year. In 1876 and 1879 his advertisements included silverware; his 1880 dissolution ad listed "SOLID SILVER and PLATED WARE, &C." But later that year he again advertised as being in the business. Antique silverware, even plated, should be safe to eat with. If the plating is worn off you may be able to taste the underlying metal (typically nickel-silver, which could have a taste like that of a copper penny on the tongue but not as strong). Not everyone tastes it (but some can even smell it). Those underlying alloys may have elements that, in larger doses, can cause health problems, but I don't think anyone has ever tied such to eating with nickel-silver utensils. And if the plating isn't worn it's basically like eating with silver. IP: Logged |
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argentum1 Posts: 602 |
posted 01-15-2007 11:38 AM
Photos are invaluable for assisting in the possible identification. Verbal descriptions are always open to individual interpretation. For instance your rattail could be my midrib. A rattail is on the back of the bowl and a midrib appears on the handle. Good luck with your quest and hopefully someone can help. IP: Logged |
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swarter Moderator Posts: 2920 |
posted 01-15-2007 12:02 PM
quote: Silverplated flatware commonly bears the stamp of a retailer, with or without the manufacturer's mark. IP: Logged |
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