American silver |
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Home -> Reading American Silver Hallmarks -> American silver
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uncle vic
Moderator
Joined: 25 Sep 2006
Posts: 157
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Posted: 29/09/2006
Post subject: American silver |
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Hello Folks, Vic Roy (a/k/a Uncle Vic) here. I'm honored to be asked by the Franks brothers to moderate this section on American silver. I'll attempt to answer any questions, and my policy is there is no such thing as a dumb question, so don't be bashful.
American (U.S,) silver has no uniform marking system as oposed to the UK system. The customary standard for American "sterling" silver is 92.5% silver alloyed with 7.5% copper, the same as the UK standard. American sterling almost always bears the word "sterling" , "925" or "925/1000 FINE". The rule of thumb is that if it does not bear these marks it is not sterling, with rare exceptions.
The various American makers each used distinct marks or logos. These are not technically "hallmarks", as used in the UK, but rather referred to as "makers marks". There were virtually no "date marks" on American silver, so dating it usually involves research into the history of the maker. An exception is Gorham, which used a date letter system for a number of years.
I consider the "golden age" of American silver, especially holloware, to be from about 1880 to 1920.
So fire away with your questions and comments, and let's have some fun with our silver. |
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kelley
Joined: 06 Jul 2007
Posts: 1
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Posted: 06/07/2007
Post subject: re: American silver |
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Please help identify the 2 pieces I recently purchased at an estate sale. I will provide photo as soon as possible. They are Gorham covered dishes that are oval in shape. They read "Gorham, EP (written under an anchor in pennant-shaped graphic), silver soldered, (02251 & 02253), (10" and 14") The platters also have the sailboat date mark. I'm not sure if this is helpful, but the larger piece has one large dot under the 14" mark and the smaller has three dots in a triangle shape under the sailboat. The only diifference in markings for the covers is that there is an acorn instead of the sailboat on the larger and an acorn and crown shape on the smaller. There are initials in a light script on each as well but I'm not able to read it.
Thank you, |
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uncle vic
Moderator
Joined: 25 Sep 2006
Posts: 157
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Posted: 08/07/2007
Post subject: re: American silver |
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Hi there Kelley, thanks for joining us here on silver-collector.com. Your items are Gorham silver plated and the acorn mark is for 1924 and the sailboat is 1926. I could not find your pattern numbers listed on replacements.com to give an estimate of value.
Regards,
Uncle Vic |
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lottielot
Joined: 23 Mar 2008
Posts: 4
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Posted: 24/03/2008
Post subject: re: American silver |
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Hi....I have bought,but not yet received so no photo a siver bangle with STELING and NCRCo stamps. Is this an American item ? And if so ? approximate date .
Thanks a lot ...Lottielot |
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