posted on March 31, 2003 09:53:46 AM new
I've got a silver or silver plate teapot set that I'm trying to learn more about before auctioning. A link to pictures of the set is at the end of this post.
It's three pieces. Only the pot is covered. The hallmark on the bottom looks like A B * S and then underneath that there is a number 5956.
All of the pieces are circumscribed with small dots, almost flower like.
posted on March 31, 2003 11:28:29 AM new
It's a faux mark: a manufacturer's mark that attempts to resemble an English, Scottish or Irish sterling mark. It is not a sterling mark. Faux marks are invariably used by manufacturers who want to fool consumers into thinking they have purchased the much more expensive sterling ware.
The lid to the sugar bowl is missing.
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"I'm thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said `I drank WHAT?'"
posted on March 31, 2003 02:51:36 PM new
I'm not so sure about fluffy's expert opinion. Can you take a clearer pic of the last 2 hallmarks. The first 2 do look like A and B, but the last doesn't look like an S to me. It looks like it may be a bird. Which may indicate silver. Try to post a clearer pic or give your own description of what they are. And confirm that the first 2 are an A and a B. At the least here you have some nice relatively valuable silverplate...and possibly sterling.
posted on April 1, 2003 06:19:21 AM new
Well, let's see, pointy...
-Dozens of reference books on silver marks
-Years of experience selling Gorham, Tiffany and other U.S. sterling, over $100,000 worth in two years on eBay
-A considerable collection of antique sterling silver objects (tea sets, tea caddies, sugar tongs, tea strainers)
Yep, you're right, I have no idea what I'm talking about.
Here's some basics. Feel free to ignore these, too:
If it's made in the U.S. after the 1870's and it is sterling, it must be marked sterling.
If it's made in England, Ireland, Scotland, etc., it must be marked with a series of hall marks if it is sterling. Contemporary ware also has the word "sterling".
Other countries of origin (such as Russia, which uses the zlotnik system) have their own marks. There are far too many to go into here. That's what reference books are for.
Ever-hopeful folks are always trying to make common metal objects into finely-crafted sterling. Manufacturers cognizant of the hope-springs-eternal crowd are always offering reproductions of earlier styles in cheap metal. Faux marks are meant to deceive. Looks like it worked in your case.
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"I'm thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said `I drank WHAT?'"
posted on April 1, 2003 07:28:02 AM new
fluffy....I didn't say that you didn't know what you were talking about....I said I wasn't sure about your expert opinion. I am saying now that you spend too much time pumping yourself up and telling all what an expert you are, and not enough time reading the words that are written. The original post did not ask only if it was sterling or not, it asked for ANY HELP. In my post, I did not say that it definitely was sterling. I did say that it was at least nice silverplate, and I do think that it is likely relatively valuable Sheffield plate, about 100 years old. But I still need a better look at the hallmarks as I asked. By the way, I commend your great sales in 2 years even with your pompous obnoxious ways. I've sold twice this amount in one single Sotheby's auction on half a dozen different occasions.
Thanks for the info. Here are a couple more pictures.
The first two marks are definitely an A and a B.
The third mark looks like a leaf or maybe a flower. The fourth could be a bird (beak pointing to bottom left) or some other animal. A salamander??? It does also resemble an old English script letter S.
The marks in the crescent at the top are not uniform, neither are the flower petals around the outside of the pot.
The pot weighs almost two pounds. Seems too heavy to be sterling but I'm certainly not an expert. There is a rim on the sugar bowl indicating there was a lid at some time. Wish it were here now...
I don't have any silver reference books. Would appreciate being pointed in the right direction.
posted on April 4, 2003 11:52:09 AM new
lucy....I'm sorry but I really caan't add much without a better pic of that 4th hallmark. Even then I'm not sure that I could add anything. This is not my primary field and I would not call myself an expert. It's my opinion that in this case it does not matter much value-wise if it's sterling or plate. Either way, it's old and it's nice, and appears to be very well made. Probably high quality Sheffield plate 100-150 years old. Value ranges wildly, depending on exactly what maker it is, I'd say $150-1500. .
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.As for fluffy, don't expect to hear from her. She tends to go away when she perceives that someone has questioned her (in)expertise. Or she may have dislocated a shoulder from excessive patting herself on the back. Too bad, because with her reference books, she could help you if she was of a mind to. Don't hold your breath.
[ edited by pointy on Apr 4, 2003 06:52 PM ]
posted on April 4, 2003 09:50:15 PM newAs for fluffy, don't expect to hear from her. She tends to go away when she perceives that someone has questioned her (in)expertise.
Actually, I tend to go away when I perceive that to discourse further would be spitting in the wind.
I truly don't understand why people ask for help (see up there...it says "Need help from silver experts" when they have no intention of paying any mind.
It tends to discourage people from wanting to help.
If my sole function in the thread is to provide a ripe target for snotty little pukes, my time is better spent selling more stuff on eBay. Pretty simple.
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"I'm thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said `I drank WHAT?'"
posted on April 5, 2003 07:12:48 AM new
Thanks Fluffy!! I haven't been called a snotty little puke in decades. I feel younger. You made my weekend
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.As for spitting in the wind...isn't that how hillbillies take showers? My comments were meant to draw you out so you could help lucy. I thought some type of reverse psychology would work with the way your brain works. But you didn't fall for my trickery. You're too clever, too smart, too bright. I give up.
when they have no intention of paying any mind.
