Good morning - I am so pleased to join this forum. I am truly a novice but very interested.
I have a tiny teaspoon - it’s 11cm long, I can’t read the marks. Would be very happy if someone else had an idea or could recognise what it might say? Apologies for the unclear pics, someone used this a lot in the past…
My second item is a fork, and I think the ‘e’ date indicates 1922? Just want to know if I am getting this right - thank you to all the experts here If I got it wrong - please explain a little? I got the date from a site on the internet - I think it was called SilverMakersMarks (UK).
Maybe you could explain to me….I have an old cake serving set (fork and knife) with bone handles in a fancy box.
The marks tell me that it is Electro Plated, with a grade of A1 (look at me getting all fancy - LOL).
However, there is a little stamp on both pieces just before the bone handles start that is stamped ‘sterling silver’. What does this mean? And have you any idea on the age of these?
The fish set has. a silver-plated blade and a sterling silver band around the handle.
Not prepared to say this was designed to gull the unwary to thinking they were buying all sterling … but.
The handle is a type of synthetic material was created to imitate natural ivory. The result was “French Ivory”, first produced by the Xylonite Company in 1866. The material, often also known as ivoride, ivorine, and pyralin, is made from celluloid, a type of thermoplastic that was very popular until the middle of the 20th century.
You may note a series of parallel lines on the handle surface that help differentiate it from natural ivory, and it weighs less than ivory. It was popular in use for things like flatware handles, gaming pieces, furniture decorations. The earliest attempts to make an artificial substitute for ivory were ineffective, but by adding camphor to the mixture, “French Ivory” was created at a relatively low cost compared to the natural alternative.
If you ship abroad be careful to stipulate it is not real ivory or it may get turned back by CITES rules.
There should and may be a series of hallmarks on the other site of the band.Failing this i it was not likely made in the UK
Forgot to mention three things: First you have termed your set a cake knife and fork. The blunt blade and bull-nose is designed to fillet fish. A lost art since British Rail gave gave up serving “Brown Windsor and Dover Sole”. a la table.
Secondly the knife has been in a dishwasher melting the glue and pushing out slightly the blade.
The simplest way to get it back in tight is to leave the handle in hot water --not boiling-- and gently ease it back in the remelted glue or pitch inside the hollow handle. You risk splitting the celluloid and may prefer to take it to a cutler to do it for you. Or just leave it alone.
It’s easier to do with pitch-filled sliver handles which will tolerate high heat.
Silver or even faux silver fish sets achieved their apogee of literary fame under the satirical pen of Jeeves’ author, PG Wodehouse who referred to the weddings of. his Drone Club mates as “Another fish-server purchase” occasion.
If I got it wrong - please explain a little? I got the date from a site on the internet - I think it was called SilverMakersMarks (UK).
Sheffield, 1922.
I feel quite special being the new owner of this lovely set now.