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 how silver was sold?
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| Author | Topic: how silver was sold? |
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vathek Posts: 966 |
posted 01-15-2004 06:11 AM
  
I've been wondering about this. I assume that prior to about 1840 most silversmiths would have had some sort of storefront to display samples of their ware and take orders. After that jewelers would have bought unmarked wares to put their own stamp on or even overstamp marked pieces. As an aside, has anyone seen genuine English pieces stamped with American retailer marks? Anyway, after about 1840 I would assume silver started becoming available in department type stores? Any thoughts? IP: Logged |
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Dale Posts: 2132 |
posted 01-15-2004 01:56 PM
Suspect that this varied all over the country. In the East silversmiths probably worked as you portray. In less firmly settled areas, my guess is they would have a shop or work area in which they could do all sorts of smithing. It would not surprise me to learn that rural western smiths repaired guns, mended pots and did general metal work. The rise of retailers, or more precisely retailing as a separate business, would be an interesting study. How did smiths move into selling? Part of the move seems to be the availability of partially finished work. There is lots of W&H marked silver where there is also a local maker's mark. Usually the finishing details are nowhere near W&H quality. I once had a soup ladle marked W&H and Zimmerman NO. What was clear from examining it was that this had started out as a basic silver form with lots of hand work. The hand work was good, but not up to W&H standards. IP: Logged |
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Richard Kurtzman Moderator Posts: 768 |
posted 01-15-2004 10:06 PM
I thought this might be of some interest to this topic. 1813 SILVER AD This is an illustrated ad which is unusual for this time period. It shows hollowware sitting on a showcase of pocket watches and assorted flatware. It also mentions that they were selling "A small assortment rich brass and bronzed side and stand LAMPS". [This message has been edited by Richard Kurtzman (edited 01-15-2004).] IP: Logged |
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