posted 10-29-2004 01:17 AM            

I need help, bad! I've been researching for weeks & have yet to find out what A9588 means. It is inscribed underneath the trademark lion, anchor & G Gorham marks & the word sterling.

I've went through the Carpenter "Gorham" book at library & on the list, just like the one you have in your pdf pub, it defines A as a mark from 1868.

What do the numbers 9588 next to it mean? This is found on a candy? dish that has piercing round the outer rim of it.

If need be, I will post a pic. I just joined 2 minutes ago so, I haven't even got that far. Busy life, things to do, ya know. I will get around to it, if I receive a post back requesting that I do so. But, for now, if anyone is familiar with this mark, I would be so unbelievably appreciative you have NO idea.

Thanks for taking the time to read this & thanks in advance for any/all help.

HH

posted 10-29-2004 06:38 AM            

quote:

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from The Owl at The Bridge
[owlbridge.com/gorham_marks.shtml - link gone from the internet].

"Adoption for its products, on 1 May 1868, of the English sterling standard of .925% silver is probably the cause for the addition of a date stamp: Gorham provided a certificate offering a money-back guarantee on the purity of its sterling ware. Pieces without a date stamp predate the guarantee, so someone trying to turn in an undated tea service would have been refused an exchange.

By 1868 the Company had grown large enough and complex enough so that any earlier practice of carrying records in an individual's memory was impractical. Production records were centralized, with costing records and photographs keyed to the production number stamped on a piece.

The numbering system for sterling hollowware (as well as the costing records in ledger books, and file photographs pasted into albums) remained the same until early 1898, at which time new procedures were introduced. In addition to the numbering system the letter 'A' was added as a prefix to indicate sterling production hollowware related to dining. The letters 'B' and 'C' became prefixes for sterling production hollowware for the dressing table (brushes, mirrors, etc.) or the desk or for clothing accessories.

There must have been some confusion in the factory, and some carryover, as the 'A' prefix was for a time applied inappropriately, such as to Martele pieces which were neither sterling (they had a higher silver content) nor production pieces (they were one of a kind). Nevertheless, some early Martele numbered pieces also include the 'A' prefix.

This system using the 'A' prefix was continued until about 1930, when a new system of costing was introduced. After that year, and certainly after 1932, letter prefixes were dropped and number-only production codes were reinstated"

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posted 10-29-2004 12:45 PM            

What I was asking primarily was about the set of numbers next to the A. Does anyone have a clue as to when this series was produced.

Once again, most appreciated for anything anyone can supply, as I am physically challenged & getting out to libraries is somewhat of a hassle.

posted 10-30-2004 09:52 PM            

It's a small sterling bowl (almost resembles something like an egg bowl but a tad bit larger)

The only thing that I can make out on the underside of it is sterling 377 & the initials J H.

I have searched a sight that has literally thousands of silversmiths & their marks but have come up w/ nothing.

Hopefully someone can help.

posted 11-03-2004 01:33 PM            

The style of your bowl is very much of the 1920s to 1940's; simple, vaguely neoclassical, restrained. There are many similar bowls on the market; they were quite popular at the time.

If the bowl were made prior to 1933 or after 1941, it should have a small holloware date code on the bottom. Pre-1933 would be a little picture of something; after 1941 would be a number in a shape. If there is no mark, the bowl likely dates from 1934-1940. There are exceptions to every rule about silver markings, but this, combined with the style of the pieces and the mark, should tell you approximately how old your piece is.

I hope this helps!

posted 11-03-2004 02:41 PM            

As for the number 9588, it, like most similar numbers on silverware, is of little usefulness to the average person. Such numbers were mainly used inside the company to denote a particular shape, size or decoration. If you can find a catalog from the time period in question, you MIGHT find your piece listed by the number, or maybe not. Sam Hough, the Gorham archivist, could probably find out exactly when your piece was made, if you are willing to pay for the research. In my opinion, it would not be worth it. Your piece is almost certainly from the first half of the 20th C, mass produced mainly by machine with very little hand work involved, other than the final polishing. I'm afraid it is just a nice little dish, nothing special.

As for the footed bowl, is the J.H bracketed by what looks like "Y"'s on their sides? If so, it is the trademark for John Hasselbring of Brooklyn, NY, founded in 1890 and purchased by Crown Silver, Inc. in 1954. The style of the footed bowl is colonial revival, and could date from anywhere from the late 1910's to the present. I'd guess 1920's.

I hope that clears things up a bit,

Brent