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Reni, Can you identify the large spoon, and the value of each piece. The spoon is over 13". The Fork by Towle, Laureate Pattern 1968 - 9.
DF
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Hi DF,
Thanks for the pictures. They really helped identify your serving pieces. The sterling cold meat fork in the Laureate pattern, by Towle Silversmiths, was popular in the late 1960's and '70's. The secondary market value in my area would retail between $75.00 and $95.00. The length of your spoon tells me it is probably a stuffing spoon. The marks on the back handle represent Gerity Products, Inc. based in Toledo, Ohio. The design hales from an earlier style, but was manufactured in the 20th century of silver plate or stainless. Stuffing spoons are always a little more saleable this time of the year. Even though yours is not sterling, it still might fetch $50.00 - $75.00 in our shop.
References: Rainwater & Redfield, Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers.
Schifffer, 1998
Happy Thanksgiving,
Reni
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Hi, I have read your section about Victorian Silver manufacturers many times in an attempt to get a sense of how these manufacturers all worked together, and a very important question came up. I have a silverplated Victorian tea set (Meriden Britannia #1866) and have seen the same set on E-Bay also numbered 1866 but made by Rogers, Smith and Co. What is the difference, if any, between the two and is one set worth more than the other? Were the two companies manufacturing around the same time? Lastly what resource can I utilize to research the tea set # in order to get an approximate date on the pieces? I really appreciate your help as I get extremely conflicting information from antique dealers. Thank you so much, Liz
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Dear Liz,
19th century American silver plate manufacture can be confusing, especially when it comes to the "Rogers names". Some of these smaller companies formed to market and protect new processes and innovative equipment which produced flatware, holloware forms and patterns different from others. To protect themselves and their financial partners, these companies would register trademarks and patents. When these companies merged or were purchased by other firms, the equipment (including the tools and dies that made the patterns we love) trademarks and patents were than owned by the consolidating company. This is why there may be one, both, or whole new trademarks on the same patterns. Rogers, Smith & Co. was formed in 1857. William Rogers Sr., was president. In 1861, (Civil War Era) they merged with the Rogers Bros. Mfg. Co. for financial reasons. By 1862, William Rogers was no longer listed as president. The Meridan Britannia Co. purchased the holloware division of Rogers, Smith & Co. in 1863. When the International Silver Co. formed in 1898, Rogers, Smith & Co. was just a trademark owned by the Meridan Britannia Co. To research the exact marks on your teaset, try the Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers by Dorothy T. Rainwater and Judy Redfield, Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. The Rogers, Smith & Co. teaset on E-bay may have been manufactured earlier than yours, bu condition is most important with silverplate values. Good luck with your research.
Reni
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Hi Reni,
I purchased a Baldwin silver plate at a garage sale and wanted to know if it has any value?
Thanks,
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Dear JL,
There are a few companies listed which "Baldwin" is associated. I need to know the exact marks and lettering on the back of your silver plate. Baldwin & Co. (Newark, NJ) was established by Isaac Baldwin in 1841. From 1845 - 1850 Isaac was also a partner with James M. Durand (Baldwin & Porand). Baldwin & Co. was sold to Thomas G. Brown in 1869.
Thanks,
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Reni, I know you receive lots of e-mails, and I was so happy to find this website. I have looked in books and on websites for the answer to these different questions, but have not been lucky enough to find the answers. I realize that I can not pay you direct but I would appreciate it if you would let me donate to your favorite charity. I have attached a picture of my 1st problem. This is a silver mounted mustard jar that came from England. The marks are as follows: SR&Co a lion a king to the right, and a box with a crown on top and the letter e. Thank you for taking the time to help me.
Sincerely,
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Hi CES,
I may be missing a part of your e-mail. I'm not sure what questions you need answered. The picture and description of hallmarks tell me alot about your cute little mustard jar. Yes, it is English with a sterling top. It was probably part of a cruet set. Sometimes sets contained as many as seven or eight bottles used for various condiments. The sovereign's head (duty mark) and crown with lower case "e" shows it was made and assayed in the Sheffield area, 1828. Samuel Roberts & Co. were silversmiths working in the area at the time. Complete cruet sets from this era usually range between $600.00 and $2000.00 at auction. A single mustard jar can be valued under $200.00.
Reference: Wyler, Seymour B. The Book of Old Silver, Crown Publishers.
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Hi Reni, I have a silver platter that is oval with a lid and a butter dish with lid also. The name on the backs is "E.P. Cooper" - "Norman Old English Reproduction 2501" - "BM Mounts", the number of the butter dish is 1413. I was wondering if you can give me any information on these pieces. I received them from my sister-in-law a number of years ago. Thanks for any help you can offer me.
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Hi KW
I think your covered serving platter and butter dish are both silverplate. Check the backs and see if "E.P. Cooper" is really "E. P. Cooper". This stands for electroplate on copper. "BM Mounts" refers to screws, handle threading, etc. made of base metal. The "Old English" patterns were standard with many companies. Each of your pieces would retail for under $50.00 in my area.
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