I recently purchase a set of shakers. Im assuming a sugar shaker and 2 other ones and it says Elkington & CO 1 and it has 19049 on it too. Can someone tell me anything about this please? It also has some symbols and the letter N.
Thank you
1899.
19049 - pattern (model) number.
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The 1 in a circle mark behind the name Elkington & Co. denotes the silver thickness. The 1 represents their “warranted” plate, or thinnest plate offering. I suggest not going crazy on polishing.
Elkington hallmarks do not specify the thickness of their “silver” items because they were a leading producer of both sterling silver (92.5% pure silver) and silver-plated pieces.
There is no standard thickness for Elkington silver because it varies depending on the item, with examples ranging from the thinness of a silver-plated card case to the thickness of a sterling silver tea tray. The thickness is determined by the specific piece’s design and whether it is sterling silver or silver-plated.
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The three levels of plate quality (thickness) are mentioned in each of their catalogues. Early on these were denoted by A, B & C, later catalogues used A, 1A and 1. All mention of plate quality dropped off the catalogues by 1910. As described in the 1881 catalogue:
A - is the old EXTRA STRONG PLATE, and is of the Highest Quality Manufactured. (forks in this quality have solid silver points)
1A - is very Strong Plate, of a most Durable Quality for Hard Wear.
1 (in a circle) - is Good Warranted Quality.
I have found that 1 (in a circle) marked items, more than likely will show copper when polishing from heavy oxidation. These are always a gamble, as I can not ascertain the end result. If I do buy them, it is based on them already having been polished and their condition is visible. None of the pieces in my collection marked 1A or A have polished through the plating. I base my purchasing of items off of these plate levels…and so far have not disappointed. I have had some pretty horrendously oxidized items that came out perfect based off the risks I took and my trust in the classifications. Of course, not all items have the marks. As for sterling, naturally they would not use these markings.
Andy
Thank you for the valuable information. I’m not saying I’m right, but I would appreciate seeing photos of the catalog where the information you provided is mentioned.
Conversations are good to hatch out details. Elkington catalogues are rare items, so not many people get to see what is in them. Please excuse the shoddy copy.
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I pay my respects and bow before your commitment, knowledge and vigilance.
And by the way – we should share knowledge in the form of book scans, encyclopedias, methods for deciphering signatures… I imagine that many of you have paid good money for access to the knowledge you share here… I’m speaking to you from the perspective of someone hungry for knowledge, eager to help others. No matter what. Let the world remember us this way. I know, I’m crazy… 
I appreciate your comments. Just for reference, here are three items in my collection that are stamped with the three quality levels.
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