Posts: 194
Registered: Apr 99

posted 04-24-1999 05:52 PM            

---

Does anyone know of a reference for collecting French flatware. In any language?
There is a Christofle website : www.christofle.com/welcome.htm which refers to patterns made since 1842. Does anyone know of a book listing French makers marks?
What does the Christofle mark look like?
Did the French make salad forks in the 19th Century? They are supposed to have invented salad in 1800 and refused to cut it with a knife, else it leave a metallic taste.

IP: Logged

Posts: 11520
Registered: Apr 93

posted 04-26-1999 07:39 AM            

---

A reference book for French marks that I like:
OLD FRENCH PLATE : A HANDBOOK FOR THE COLLECTOR
BY WILFRED JOSPH CRIPPS
ED. JOHN MURRAY. LONDON.

Orginally printed in 1880
I have the third edition printed in 1930.

IP: Logged

Posts: 194
Registered: Apr 99

posted 07-11-1999 01:57 AM            

---

I recently examined some French flatware, Odiot, Christophle and some others. One word of caution was that I could not tell from the inset hallmarks whether the piece was plated or sterling. Many of the new pieces spelled oiut 925 or Sterling on the Sterling pieces and said nothing on the platd pieces.

IP: Logged

Posts: 96
Registered: Nov 99

posted 12-22-1999 03:19 AM            

---

There is also a 1972 ed. of the book Scott cites, retitled Old French Silver. This ed. was published by The Dolphin Press, 176 Barrack Road, Christchurch, Hants.

Also one can struggle with Poinçons d'Argent, 20th ed., by Tardy (in French, but one can still pull useful information out of it).

IP: Logged

posted 12-29-1999 11:11 PM              

---

"A Guide To Old French Plate" by Louis Carre, first published in English in 1931 by Chapman & Hall Ltd., reissued with a new forward in 1971 by Eyre & Spottiswoode, is an excellent book for marks. Logical, packed with information and superior to Cripps, I believe.

IP: Logged

All times are ET