posted 01-16-2003 09:54 PM            

I have to polish it all the time. When I say this, I just mean that it has to be polished, no more than normal. (but thanks for the replys anyway, good things to know)

There are 2 fish carved in the spoon end with grasses and sand. The handle has a carving of a dragon in water so only half of him shows. Then there is a banner below him that says: VINCIT QUI PAT. ITUR. There are stamps on the back of the handle. The first stamp is an O, the 2nd looks like an upside down tree, the 3rd stamp is JQ, the 4th stamp is AI (or could even be A1), and the 5th stamp is EP but is turned sideways to the others. At the beginning of the stamps is the letter R. The length is 8-1/2". The flat spoon end of it is 3-1/2" X 1-1/4". It weighs almost 2 oz.

I have no idea how old it is. So if anyone has any ideas what this is, I would sure appreciate any information.

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

posted 01-17-2003 09:11 AM            

"A1" refers to silverplate as does "EP" which stands for the electroplate process.

posted 01-17-2003 04:14 PM            

quote:

---

I have to polish it all the time.

---

It is silverplate. Polish once! Then, very often,just wash with soap & water whether you have used the item or not.

posted 01-17-2003 07:09 PM            

It looks to me like a Victorian era fish slice. These slices normally had a pointed tip. Perhaps the tip was damaged and someone put a grinding wheel to it?

posted 01-25-2003 10:59 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by DaleN:
If you are having to polish all the time, check for a gas leak. I had this problem once, it came on all of a sudden. Finally discovered a slight opening between vent and flue on my hot water heater was putting out toxic gases. The silver was the first visible reaction. Frequently silver is your warning something is wrong with your environment.

---

This is excellent information and I'm glad to see someone posting it. Silver is very sensitive to a number of things. It should never be wrapped in newsprint or dyed paper for storage (silver emulsions are used for photographing and the silver WILL Pick up the dye and ink impressions permanently). It should also never be bundled together using rubber bands, as the rubber will actually eat away at the silver, sterling or plate. This can happen even when the pieces are first stored in a plastic bag. The rubber bands will eat away the plastic first and then leave indentations and dark marks on the silver pieces, again permanently. And tape should never be used on silverplate for labels or tags as it CAN and sometimes WILL actually remove the plating from the base metal.

posted 01-25-2003 11:05 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Stephen:
This is a classic "Fiddle" pattern. I'd say the marks are English.

It looks to me like a Victorian era fish slice. These slices normally had a pointed tip. Perhaps the tip was damaged and someone put a grinding wheel to it?

---

The pattern is not Fiddle, which has two "bulges" to give it the shape that a fiddle would have. This is Plain. Nor are the marks English. This is an American Victorian piece, using psuedo-hallmarks as markings in order to pretend to be "better than it is".

posted 01-27-2003 04:55 AM            

I'm curious as to how you decided that these are "American psuedo-hallmarks". Did you find the mark documented somewhere?

posted 01-29-2003 08:22 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Stephen:
Anuh, thanks for your input. It seems to me that the pattern name depends on the frame of reference. Mine was English, yours is American. There is a difference. The English would call this a Fiddle, plain Fiddle, or basic Fiddle pattern.

I'm curious as to how you decided that these are "American psuedo-hallmarks". Did you find the mark documented somewhere?

---

You are right, Stephen. There is a difference, and I guess I always assume an American origin. It needed to be pointed out. If this is English, then you are also right on the hallmarks.