posted 07-06-2003 02:50 PM            

I realize much has been written in the Topics on Meriden but I would very much appreciate any information on the following.

It is marked "Made and guaranteed by" under that in a circle with scale "Meriden B. Company" beneath that "***Rogers Bros." under that "235" under that U.S.A.

This has a grey finish with a few black spots on it and when I try to polish the black spots off it is quite shiny underneath. I don't know whether originally this was made with a grey finish if I should polish it down so that it is shiny.

Also would you be able to tell if this is a candlestick or if it is a candelabra that has been cut off. The top of a candelabra was with it. (The piece was part of a relative's estate and I would like to get it back to its original status.)

You have been so helpful to me in the past and I hope you will have some knowledge on this.

Thank you.

posted 07-07-2003 06:56 PM            

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This has a grey finish with a few black spots on it and when I try to polish the black spots off it is quite shiny underneath. I don't know whether originally this was made with a grey finish if I should polish it down so that it is shiny.

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Meriden is a very old company and your piece is also old. The grey finish is a sign of the kind of plating done in those days and was not intentional, although I believe that plated pieces tended to be darker in those days than today's plate is.

An old recommendation that I came across in a chemical solutions book was to add Ammonia to your polishing solution on these older pieces to make them easier to clean. It does help, btw.

The question is SHOULD you try to polish it, and that depends on your intentions for it. If you are going to keep it, you can do what you wish. It will probably never be quite as bright in color as the newer pieces. However, if you want to increase its value, it might be best to clean it as best you can without disturbing that discoloration. I have one old piece of Forbes SIlverplate that is dark grey and as shiny as you can imagine at the same time. It is simply gorgeous!

quote:

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Also would you be able to tell if this is a candlestick or if it is a candleabra that has been cut off. The top of a candleabra was with it. (The piece was part of a relative's estate and I would like to get it back to its original status.)

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A picture would help. Many pieces were made with removeable candelabra tops. If it shows a "nub" at the bottom of the candelabra, see if they will fit together. They may be from two separate pieces to start with.

posted 07-09-2003 11:26 PM            

Also, you may have a pewter piece that is normally dull but will shine up very nicely.