posted 08-22-2003 09:12 PM            

The above mark is one that was on another piece of flatware I purchased, a 12½" long dressing spoon in a Tipd pattern variation.

The first letter is an S, the second appears to be a Gothic E to me, the third one baffles me. I found something similar in Wyler's once but can't find it again! ;-( The fourth is a crown and the fifth the letter C. I haven't been able to find a series of marks that match these at all - crowns, yes; C's in abundance. I'm going blind trying to identify this mark. Anyone?

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Anuh

posted 08-24-2003 11:24 PM            

Anyway, almost certainly English silverplate, 19th Century

posted 08-25-2003 03:38 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Brent:
The individual punches and the configuration, though, make me think it is almost certainly English silverplate. According to what I have read, many of the English silverplaters deliberately used 5 character marks like this to mimic the marks on English sterling. If the manufacturer's initials did not add up to five characters, they would add some "nonsense" letters or characters that really meant nothing. These extra characters still confuse us to this day.

Anyway, almost certainly English silverplate, 19th Century

Brent

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I have had several pieces of the years which carried what I believed were "pseudo-hallmarks", similar to this one. I believe you are probably right about the origin. Is there any references that cover the marks of English silverplate manufacturers? This particular piece shows so little wear that I would like to make an attribution if possible, making it desirable to the buyer's. Just being able to tell them that it is 19th Century plate helps, but a maker's name would be wonderful.