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Another one I need help identifying

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Author	Topic: Another one I need help identifying
ladybug44 Posts: 6 Registered: Nov 2007	posted 11-06-2007 08:57 AM [26-1528] I will probably be posting lots of these in the next few days because I don't know a thing about silver. Hope I don't wear out my welcome! Can you help me with maker and pattern for this one? Also what kind of fork is it? Thank you again! IP: Logged
ladybug44 Posts: 6 Registered: Nov 2007	posted 11-06-2007 09:28 AM I have inherited a lot of silver flatware recently. I don't know much about patterns so that's why I'm asking for help. Thank you. IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 11-26-2015 11:15 AM maker: American Silver Co. Bristol, Connecticut 1901 - 1935 Manufacturers of silverplate & sterling flatware and holloware. Succeeded Holmes & Tuttle in 1901 and were acquired by International Silver in 1935. International likely continued using this mark for some period. Silver plate pattern 1906 Pattern name: Moselle Designer: Samuel J. Large With the cutting tine and its apparent weight it is most likely a pickle fork. IP: Logged
agphile Posts: 798 Registered: Apr 2008	posted 11-26-2015 01:05 PM In the UK we would think of one like this as a pastry fork (or cake fork). IP: Logged
Kimo Posts: 1627 Registered: Mar 2003	posted 11-27-2015 01:00 AM It is a lovely pattern. As Scott mentions, it is not silver, it is silver plated. IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 11-27-2015 09:21 AM When pickle fork sales started to decline the manufacturers re-introduced the same shaped fork (wide tine). But the new, cake or pastry fork, didn't have the beveled edge on the cutting tine and it was lighter in weight. In the photo it sort of looks like it has the beveled edge.. therefor pickle fork. IP: Logged
Polly Posts: 1970 Registered: Nov 2004	posted 11-27-2015 10:03 AM I really like that pattern. Most similar patterns have flowers--the grapes are very appealing. IP: Logged
agphile Posts: 798 Registered: Apr 2008	posted 11-27-2015 01:34 PM Interesting about the pickle fork/cake fork. Maybe I have been misidentifying some Victorian pieces. I tend to think of an English pickle fork as having a long handle and short, barbed tines. I can't provide a photo to show what I mean because I don't own one: I find them pretty useless when trying to spear a pickled onion and remove it from its jar and I'm not sure what other use they might have. IP: Logged
Kimo Posts: 1627 Registered: Mar 2003	posted 11-27-2015 01:52 PM Hi Agphile. I believe that the long handled fork with small tines or even barbed tines on the end usually is called an olive fork since it would have been used to spear olives or onions or even cherries from tall narrow jars. That said, as was mentioned as tastes in silverware changed and needs changed the makers did one of two things - they made up another shape or they renamed an older less well selling shape. I think that the old pickle fork was repurposed into being the new cake fork. Or sometimes I also see these called a salad fork where the bladed tine is used for cutting the salad into bite sized pieces. [This message has been edited by Kimo (edited 11-27-2015).] IP: Logged
doc Posts: 728 Registered: Jul 2003	posted 11-27-2015 06:52 PM Moselle is one of my favorite patterns; there were a number of grape design patterns that date from 1904-1910, but Moselle is the nicest, in my opinion. I learn something every time I read this site; I did not know of the change from pickle fork to cake fork and I, too, have been misidentifying pieces. Thanks all! IP: Logged
park1226 Posts: 102 Registered: Jun 2005	posted 11-29-2015 05:22 PM The key to identifying this Moselle fork is the length. The Collectors' Handbook for Grape Nuts published in 1971 shows two identical forks with broad left cutting tines. Their length is the only variable that differs. There is the pickle fork that is 6" long and noted as being extremely rare. Its original catalog number was #246. A pastry fork is also shown and it is 7"long. No catalog number is given. This handbook was published pre-internet so the term extremely rare may no longer apply. How long is your fork? [This message has been edited by park1226 (edited 11-29-2015).] IP: Logged
ahwt Posts: 2334 Registered: Mar 2003	posted 12-03-2015 10:04 PM Park, thanks for the reference to the book "Handbook for Grape Nuts". Ms MacLachlan, in the section on Vintage, uses "HH" as an identification to several items in this pattern. Do you know what HH means? This little book is readily available on the Internet and looks like a fun book. I don't think I have any of the Vintage pattern, but I do have some of the Moselle pattern. The silverplate flatware of the late 1800s and early 1900s includes many interesting patterns. IP: Logged
park1226 Posts: 102 Registered: Jun 2005	posted 12-04-2015 07:49 AM HH is an abbreviation for hollow handled. Knives were available as either flat or hollow handled. Certain serving pieces also were available with hollow handles for an extra charge. IP: Logged
ahwt Posts: 2334 Registered: Mar 2003	posted 12-04-2015 08:47 AM Thanks for the information Park. IP: Logged

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