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Author	Topic: Silver Pitcher
LaurieBoucke Posts: 2 Registered: Sep 2003	posted 09-14-2003 11:45 AM Hi, I'm new here. It was a silver pitcher that my mother got as a gift in 1941. There are markings on the bottom of the pitcher and look like this from top to bottom ... An anchor. 4 fancy letters that look like RPNS. Gorham. Y574 4-1/2 pint It weighs 2 pounds, 5.4 oz. Also, any advice on brands of silver polish to use or avoid? Many thanks. Laurie IP: Logged
Anuh Posts: 190 Registered: Jan 2003	posted 09-14-2003 03:27 PM RNPS is probably EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver. This is a plated piece. Made by Gorham Silver Co., the Y574 would be design number (or item number). In plate, weight means little since most of that weight is in the base metal used as a base. Most Gorham seems to be plated on brass. The weight would be a real consideration if it were solid silver, since it would have a base "salvage value" of the silver itself, plus a value for the item as a pitcher. In any event, that would require that you take it to an appraiser to have it appraised, as no appraisals take place in this forum. ------------------ Anuh IP: Logged
Kimo Posts: 1627 Registered: Mar 2003	posted 09-15-2003 11:44 AM In response to your question about polishing, since it is plated silver and not solid, be sure to chose a gentle non-abrasive polish and don't use any kind of electric buffer or such. You may want to consider polishing it and then coating it with a thin layer of sealer so that it will not need to polished all the time. Years of repeated polishing will eventually wear through the silver and you will get "brassing" where the thin silver plating gets worn off and the base metal starts to show through. You may also want to read through the posts over on the silverplate part of this forum to learn more about silver plated objects. [This message has been edited by Kimo (edited 09-15-2003).] IP: Logged
Anuh Posts: 190 Registered: Jan 2003	posted 09-15-2003 07:17 PM Silverware, sterling OR plate, that is used regularly and hand-washed in hot soapy water generally does NOT tarnish! It is only when the silver is stored away in a collection, or comes in contact with a tarnishing substance like propane or natural gas in the air or sulfur in the water, that tarnishing becomes a problem. Pieces that are regularly used need very little polishing. I use Simichrome and have for a great many years. It is non-abrasive and will clean up most of the worst tarnish spots. Pieces that are not going to be used should be wrapped in Pacific cloth for storage, or sealed into archival plastic bags with ziplocs on them. Keep the air out and the tarnish stays out, too! ------------------ Anuh IP: Logged
Anuh Posts: 190 Registered: Jan 2003	posted 09-15-2003 07:20 PM quote: Originally posted by Kimo: don't use any kind of electric buffer or such. I had meant to address that in my post, Kimo. I have found that a slow-moving shoe polisher will "buff up" even silverplate very safely since it doesn't have the speed to cause much wear. It can really bring the shine out and do so fairly safely. ------------------ Anuh IP: Logged
wev Moderator Posts: 4121 Registered: Apr 99	posted 09-15-2003 08:23 PM The only safe way to use a buffer, no matter what its running speed, is to use it with the power off. IP: Logged
Paul Lemieux Posts: 1792 Registered: Apr 2000	posted 09-15-2003 08:29 PM Agree with WEV. I think any kind of power buffing will in some way disturb the patina. I find using jeweler's rouge is a safer alternative. IP: Logged
LaurieBoucke Posts: 2 Registered: Sep 2003	posted 09-16-2003 10:44 AM Thanks for all the helpful replies everyone!! I appreciate everyone's advice and ideas. Same goes if anyone else posts more info after this message. I'm reading 'em all. Laurie IP: Logged

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