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Wallace Irian 1902

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Author	Topic: Wallace Irian 1902
Bob Schulhof Posts: 194 Registered: Apr 99	posted 03-01-2000 08:06 PM [02-0042] Special Features Irian is a highly sought after figural pattern first produced in 1902. Unlike Watson Phoebe and Baccante, Irian was a serious dinner service. Because of the delicate pattern, wear on the high spots is very evident and truly mint examples are at a premium. Dating 1902 is generally accepted as the introduction date for Irian. Turner lists it as obsolete by 1929. Unlike Gorham, Wallace did not have an active "Made to Order" line and there is no evidence that Irian was ever re- produced. All of the pieces that we have in our collection have old monos. Therefore Irian would seem to be a genuine collectible. Pieces Available Item..................Length......Our Cost Flat Butter ........... 6 "........... $39 (not shown) Teaspoon ............. 6"............ $20 Oval Soup ............ 7 "........... $50 Dinner Knife .......... 9 1/2"...... $60 (new blade) Dinner Fork ........... 7 1/2"...... $75 Luncheon Fork ....... 7"........... $50 Salad Fork ............ 6 1/8"..... $105 Pieces of exceptional quality without wear can go for 50% more than the prices above. We bought the best we could, only the S.F. is exceptional, and a demi that we paid $50 for. Photo: Key Pieces As usual the salad fork is at a premium and an original dinner knife with a blunt blade would be a find. Comments Irian is a challenging and rewarding collectible pattern. IP: Logged
M H Bradshaw Posts: 32 Registered: Apr 99	posted 03-02-2000 01:17 AM Recently, I heard that Irian is being made again, which coincided with an abundance of new letter openers for sale on ebay in this pattern. I haven't seen any flatware that looked suspect. IP: Logged
americanpotluck Posts: 23 Registered: Apr 99	posted 03-03-2000 04:30 PM Irian flatware is, in fact, being "re-made" and a number of pieces have appeared on Ebay (I've seen forks and spoons). The hallmarks on the new and the old pieces are virtually indistinguishable with a quick glance but if one looks at them carefully and very closely, they can be readily distinguished by the last letter in the hallmark. The old pieces have a cross-hatched "S" while the new pieces have a cross-hatched "Z" in the hallmark. [This message has been edited by americanpotluck (edited 03-03-2000).] IP: Logged
Bob Schulhof Posts: 194 Registered: Apr 99	posted 03-03-2000 04:39 PM Thanks for the clues. How is the quality on the new issue? Have you seen it? IP: Logged
americanpotluck Posts: 23 Registered: Apr 99	posted 03-03-2000 05:00 PM To date, the only pieces I've seen have been on Ebay. Most have caught my attention because they look so pristine (no patina) and a bit like aluminum foil. Listings which include an image of the hallmark make identification fairly easy. I've also seen some pieces with a patina and determined that they were new only after inquiring about the hallmarks (frequently the seller is kind enough to send me a scan). The detail (on both old as well as new pieces) is frequently hard to judge online since what one sees is often a function of the equipment used to capture the image. I have run across one online retailer who is selling the new pieces (complete place settings as well as an array of serving pieces). They refuse to confirm how the pieces are hallmarked, however. quote: Originally posted by Bob Schulhof: Thanks for the clues. How is the quality on the new issue? Have you seen it? [This message has been edited by americanpotluck (edited 03-03-2000).] [This message has been edited by americanpotluck (edited 03-03-2000).] IP: Logged
M H Bradshaw Posts: 32 Registered: Apr 99	posted 03-07-2000 01:13 AM Today, I received a price & availability list for Irian from Replacements, Ltd. They have the pieces broken down into 'Old Estate Silver' and 'New' with the notation "...same design but was produced at a different time." The following 'NEW' items are listed: Knife (10-1/4") Fork (7-7/8") Salad Fork (6-5/8") Tsp.(6") Oval Soup (7-1/8") Tablespoon, Pierced and Unpierced (8-3/4") Sugar Spoon (6") Cold Meat Fork-med., solid (8-3/4") Master Butter Knife, Hollow Handle (6-3/4") Pie/Cake Server, Stainless blade (11-1/8") Casserole Spoon, Solid (8-3/4") Letter Opener, stainless blade [This message has been edited by M H Bradshaw (edited 03-07-2000).] [This message has been edited by M H Bradshaw (edited 03-07-2000).] IP: Logged
americanpotluck Posts: 23 Registered: Apr 99	posted 03-07-2000 06:18 PM I have seen both "left-hand" and "right-hand" estate versions of flat butter spreaders in Irian. Were other pieces in this pattern also produced in left-handed versions, such as master butters or fish servers? Is there any known documentation which lists all of the pieces in Irian that were designed specifically for left-handed individuals? IP: Logged
DOROTHYSHARRON unregistered	posted 01-14-2003 09:42 AM Please advise of someone in the Orlando Florida area that appraises Wallace Irian. It appears that some I just bought as "old" may in fact be new. Using the s & z I am still unable to tell IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 01-14-2003 01:01 PM To request an appriaser: To find an appraiser in your area (click here) IP: Logged

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