posted 07-17-2000 09:25 AM            

Dear All,

I have posted five items of Sterling silver which I cannot identify, or can only partially identify. Perhaps those among this Forum with much more knowledge than I, or those who merely are sleuths, can give me a hand. One piece, stamped only with English Hallmarks and what looks to be a vendor's name (i.e., Norre & Roempke), is particularly vexing to me. Any help you can lend is most appreciated.

• Item One:
  J. R. Armiger Sugar Shell, or small ladle. Obverse: an identifying characteristic of this pice is the image of a shell on the tip of both the front and back of the handle. The image is a bit more ornate on the front than on the back, but both images are clearly of shells.

• Item Two:
  J. S. MacDonald Serving Spoon. The front of this serving size spoon reminds me of a "repousse" pattern, while the back of the handle shows what might be leaves or a vine, extending from the tip of the handel down both sides, about a third of the way onto the
  center of the bowl, itself.

• Item Three:
  Stieff place knife in a very plain and simple, pointed handle pattern.

• Item Four:
  English place fork, stamped with hallmarks for "Sterling", "Birmingham" and one which is unrecognizable. There is a "T" within a circle lower towards the tines, and the stamp of Norre & Roempke (which I assume was the store which sold the item).
  Tip of the English fork, showing a pattern of three larger roses at tip, followed by two smaller roses. On the back of the tip the three more roses, a tad larger than the three on the front.

• Item Five:
  English ladel, very plain and simple, with pointed handle, hallmarked for Sterling and London, with what appears to be a "W" for a maker's mark.

Thanks very much,

Jim

posted 07-17-2000 12:02 PM            

The quality of your photos and the lack of photos of the marks makes this a bit difficult ....

Most likely all of your items are American but without clear shots of the marks we will not know for sure.

• Item One could be Charles II by Dominick & Haff introduced in 1894.
  
• Item Two looks like No. 10 by Dominick & Haff introduced in 1896.
  
• Item Three - not enough info; but my guess is that it is American made.
  
• Item Four is Lancaster by Gorham introduced in 1897.
  
• Item Five - not enough info but might be one of the "Antique" patterns -- maybe Pointed Antique by Dominick & Haff
  

posted 07-17-2000 05:28 PM            

After reviewing your thoughts, I am curious to know if you read the data which I have accompanying the photos? Was there ever a "J. R. Armiger" manufacturing flatware, or is that name yet another vendor's mark -- it sure looks like a manufacturer's imprint to me. Similarly, with Item Two, there is a clear name of "J. S. MacDonald" on the back side, as I indicated in the info blocks above the photos. Perhaps the additional data helps the low quality of the photos?

Thanks for any additional thoughts you may have.