My second post as a new collector.
I have an electroplated Ink Stand or Desk Set which has some marks that I would like help with. The marks are,
J D & S which I believe are for James Dixon and Son.
E P a vertical stamp for Electro Plate.
The last mark is the one that has me stumped. It is on a shield and looks like abird with outstreached wings and small tail wings. A modern description would be a plan view of a fighter plane. Hope this makes sense.
Under this line of marks in heavy text is stamped M 8 80.
The washers under the wingnuts holding the handle in place are marked Sheffield.
M880 is probably a pattern number - it would certainly be a factory-applied code of some sort. Now if only we had the pattern books and company ledgers…
Electroplate is notoriously hard to date as very few manufacturers, with the notable exception of Elkington, used any sort of date coding. History tells us that the company founded by James Deakin became “& Sons” some time not too long before 1886 and continued in business up to at least the mid-1930s.
Does anyone know what these symbols represent? I saw a few people ask and no one knows who it could be. Also the plate I found has a seam down the middle, I think it had a divider attachment. Any information is much appreciated!
