posted 03-25-2008 07:46 PM            

I realize that Charles Casper founded the The Meriden Silver Plate Co, but I actually came across a piece today impressed just, "Charles Casper" I have never seen this mark before. Likely predates the Meriden Company. Has anyone else ever seen this mark?

I have been a collector for 25 years and a dealer for 20. Like most collectors It is inevitable that one becomes a seller as well as a buyer. Either supplementing a collection, trading up, or dispersing an entire collection. I make my living full time as an Antiques Dealer. If that limits my rite to seek historical information from other collectors because I may somehow profit from it down the road then I will not seek assistance from Silver Salon anymore.

David Davis
Wynantskill, NY

posted 03-28-2008 11:01 AM            

Pretty much every collector does some selling and trading as they build their collections. The lines we try to draw on this forum go to how the information will be used by the member. If the purpose is to research to offer for sale either now or in the near future then that is not set up to be that kind of forum. If the purpose is to research to learn about your silver in your personal collection or about silver in general where you do not have plans to sell now or in the near future then the folks here are usually happy to provide information, especially when the new member makes an effort to share their own information with the group.

The sensitivity is that most of us here share our expertise for free with the understanding that we are sharing with people who have a love of silver and learning about it for the sake of being interested in it rather than making a buck off of our openness. We would quickly lose many of our most expert members otherwise since they can and often do sell their services as professional appraisers or are authors or museum curators who would not otherwise be so willing to participate here. The feeling is a little like when you make an effort to give a thougtful gift to someone and then find out they have put it up for auction on the big internet auction website the next week. The next time you think about giving a thoughtful gift to someone you hesitate to do it.

There are other places on the internet where people can do research for selling things, but this forum is different from them. It is also different because this is the forum where you will likely get the most expert information because it is what it is.

I hope this helps explain and that you appreciate what we are about. I also hope that you participate here in the spirit in which all of us do. I am sure you must have a great deal of expertise to share with your background.

posted 03-28-2008 11:51 AM            

I understand completely where you are coming from and have no desire to extort information and sell it to a third party. My only present desire is to find any Historic information on the piece. I have searched the internet and consulted a couple friends and can find no mention of any pieces marked by Charles Casper before he formed the well known Meriden Company. I have absolutely no plans for this piecebut I can guarantee the board that if in the future it does come that I want to part with it I will offer it on this board's for sale forum.

posted 03-28-2008 05:06 PM            

Frequently marks on silverplate are not about who made the piece. They refer to how it was sold. Charles Casper may have had a small line sold thru selected retailers. Or there could have been a request for premium items that could not have a maker's name on them. There is a line of silverplate marked 'Cream of Wheat'. There exist a great many silverplate items whose manufacturers remain a mystery. Trophies, lamp fittings, finials, buttons, sewing items are just a part of this. The 140 may be a more helpful way of determining who made this.

posted 03-28-2008 05:52 PM            

Welcome to the Forums!

I can't give you much help but maybe you can get, or one of our members may have this paperback. Maybe it would contain the info you are seeking. I think the 140 could be the pattern number.

Assuming of course the piece dates to this period, the book is The Meriden Britannia Silver-Plate Treasury which is their Complete Catalog of 1886-7 with 3,200 Illustrations. It was/is by the Meriden Britannia Company.

Enjoy the Day!

Jersey

posted 03-29-2008 08:08 AM            

In the 1870 U. S. Federal Census in Meriden, CT , Charles is married to a Lettitia who was born in England also about 1840. They have three sons, Frederick who was born about 1863 in Massachusetts, Lewis who was born about 1865 also in Massachusetts, and David who was born about 1869 in Connecticut. Charles's occupation at this time is plater.

In the 1880 U. S. Federal Census still in Meriden, CT, Charles is with his wife and two younger sons and his occupation is Brittania Manufacturer.

In the 1900 U. S. Federal Census, Charles with his wife and eldest son all with the same places and years of birth as in the earlier cited census's is in Mount Vernon Ward 5, Westchester, New York. At this time, Charles's occupation is Life Insurance Agent. Frederick the eldest son is a Commercial Traveler-Silverware.

In the 1920 U. S. Federal Census for Manhattan, NY, Frederick is still a silver salesman.