Analyses and findings including but not limited to properties and features of the article or information concerning its design, manufacture, and sale and parties who played a role in these activities apparently including Howard & Co. would be greatly appreciated. Of note, I don’t know what the “28” hallmark means and would like to.
I discovered one exchange concerning a Howard & Co. silver set in the forums:
In consideration of this finding I’m wondering if anyone may now know more about this postage stamp holder with regard to its physical properties and features, its design, manufacture, or sale, or otherwise.
If the F.W. Smith Silver Co. designed the box by 1888 as the 925-1000 web page seems to indicate, the pictures that I shared may suggest that the F.W. Smith Silver Co.'s design was used by the F.W. Smith Silver Co., Howard & Co., or another party to manufacture the box by 1892 for Howard & Co. to retail.
I still don’t know what the “28” print on the bottom of the box means which I shared above so if anyone knows more about that then please chime in.
A supposition the 28 could be an inventory or style number, or even the smith who did the work. You could contact the experts at Sotheby’s to ask. I did notice that another 3 stamp box by that maker did not have a corresponding type mark.
