Anyone have any info about this hallmark and whether the piece its on could be silver? Thanks.
LAWRENCE B. SMITH CO - Boston, MA
Founded in 1887. Out of business 1958 c.
The Lawrence B. Smith Company, Boston, Massachusetts, was founded in 1887. Went out of business around 1958. Made both sterling and silverplate items.
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Thanks. It doesnt say ep or epc. Im not sure if the piece could be sterling or not.
Im not asking for anything to be handed to me. This is the area to ask questions if you need help with identifying something. I checked out the link and read everything. I understand that company made plated and sterling items but im still not sure what those exact markings mean.
I use google lens, etc. A lot of times there are hallmarks or info that dont pop up. Im not sure what the disrespect is all about. You’ve helped out with info on things ive posted. I appreciate any help or info from anybody on here though.
As a rule, American pieces that are sterling, rather than silverplate, will say so in the markings. You’ll most often see the word STERLING in prominent letters, and sometimes even some indication of the fineness, like 925 (sterling standard) or 800 (less pure, sometimes called “coin silver”).
Producers of sterling silver items had no reason to be coy about it - they were usually very eager to have their customers know that the piece is sterling. Silverplate, on the other hand, is often tarted up with various aliases for base metal, like “nickel silver” or “Argentine silver,” neither of which contains even a single molecule of actual silver. 