posted 12-31-2005 04:33 PM            

Was at a local antique shop today and came across 2 soup spoons by Gorham in the displayed pattern. I don't remember ever seeing it before, and a search for the patent year does not bring up any matches either. It is marked: Spaulding & Co, Lion Anchor G, Sterling, and Pat 1901(trust me I looked at it with a loop). I also would suspect that I would have run across the pattern in my searches, and would at least recognize it if not know the pattern name.

Anyways, thanks for any help ahead of time!

posted 12-31-2005 05:31 PM            

I expect everyone of our members likes helping new collectors to get started with identifications. Particularly when they are difficult identifications. I also expect that none of us would want to do anything to discourage a new member from sharing their latest discovery. But at some point the new enthusiast needs to avail themselves of a few basic references. Just relying on the Internet and the kindness of others will only take you so far.

A case can be made that the new members who have bothered to get the basic references will get practice using their library. So I encourage new members to use their references to help other new members with the basic ID's. Be sure to mention what references you use. Also along the way I am sure we can recommend other references to help round out your library.

posted 12-31-2005 10:25 PM            

Here is a really good list of first books for different interests.

1. Coin silver.

   "Kovels' American Silver Marks 1650 to present", Ralph & Terry Kovel. Crown Publishers, New York, latest edition.. 1989 I think.
   Good general American coin reference arranged in alphabetical order.. Some sterling manufacturers listed.

2. General USA silver manufactures.

   "Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers" Dorothy Rainwater and Judy Redfield. Shiffler publishing, Atglen, PA. Revised 4th edition is what I have..1998.
   Lists and describes American manufacturers and provides history. Mostly sterling period, but does go back to the beginning of the company. Lots of marks.

   
   

3. Identification of US pattern flatware.

   The beginning book is "Sterling Flatware" by Tere Hagen. 2nd revised edition 3rd printing 2002. L-W book sales. Gas City, IN.
   This book has more patterns than most books, but like most of the others, it takes a little while to get used to. Patterns are arranged by company and then introduction dates.
   ...(If you are interested in American silverplated flatware, Ms. Hagen has a good book on that topic also)...

4. Worldwide silver hallmarks.

   "International hallmarks on Silver" edited by TARDY. 2000 reprint of a 1985 English edition. As useful a book as you would want, if you are trying to make heads or tails of foreign hallmarks. The headings are by country with a lot of space given over to France (being a French book).
   This book will help you identify and differentiate between countries and centuries of manufacture. Includes countries from Algeria to Russia. Has a great index: Analytical Index of Hallmarks which is over 100 pages of this 500 page book.

5. How silver is made.

   "The Colonial Silversmith, His Techniques & His Products" by Henry J. Kauffman. Galahad Books, New York City 1969.
   This is a book with many diagrams and descriptions of how silver was made by hand, including cups, tankards, and spoons. It talks about sheet metal work and hand raising, and will help the reader appreciate what goes into making a finished product.

Glad to be of service.

Marc

posted 01-01-2006 11:25 AM            

”What book would you recommend purchasing as a first book?”

I think Marc has reasonably answered for those who poke around American markets. In the American markets the emphasis will be American Silver but we tend to see a weighty amount of silver from all over the world.

Which references one uses next really depends on what is found and where your interests lead you.

Ok we have a basic list for American marketplace. What about market places in the rest of the world? For example, there is a large amount of English silver in the Australian marketplace. Perhaps there, a copy of Jackson’s would be more appropriate.

Also then there are the references that support specific interests. For example, tea balls, pocket knives, flatware, holloware, jewelry, periods (ancient, Victorian, deco, modern, etc), coin, sterling, silverplate.

What is recommended beyond the very basics really depends where market place is and who's asking and their interests.