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Registered: Sep 2006

posted 09-02-2006 11:38 PM            

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I discovered a set of forks marked B.J.MAYO incuse. They are heavy and show no signs of plate loss - at least none that I can tell.

1. Kovel lists a Benjamin J. Mayo (1860-1902) in Newark, NJ.

2. Rainwater also lists a Benjamin Mayo in Newark, NJ. "Silversmith, 1860-1908. Began business as Smith & Mayo in 1860, gold and silver electroplaters."

Can anyone tell me if these might be coin silver or are they silverplate?

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posted 09-02-2006 11:53 PM            

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We really would need to see a picture of the pattern and of the mark to have an idea. Off hand, it does not ring a bell. But perhaps if we could see the pattern, we might be able to figure something out. Marks alone rarely tell us the whole story of US silver.

And how about something on your interest in silver while you're at it.

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posted 09-03-2006 01:06 AM            

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Unfortunately, they are still in the shop where I discovered them. If I knew they were coin silver I would have snapped them up as I collect coin silver. Since I was not certain I passed on them. Funny thing is I still might buy them. They are heavy, in great shape, and in an interesting transitional pattern. For example, the "Olive" pattern and some of it's variants can be found in coin, sterling, or silverplate. I'll try to find a pattern they are closest to and post it. Anyone else want to jump in?

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posted 09-03-2006 09:25 AM            

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If the price was right for plate, buy them anyway; there's not much to lose, and you can always use them or give them as gifts or resell them if they prove to disappoint. If priced as silver, you might ask the dealer; if s/he guarantees them as silver then you could return them if they turn out to be plated.

In my experience, coin forks generally are fairly heavy, and more often in one of the early patterns rather than simple fiddle. I have many that were sold as plate. And incuse marks seem common on them.

Showing us an example of the pattern from some other piece would not help at all in saying whether these particular ones are coin or plate since, as you note, many of the early patterns were produced in both, and sterling. Even with photos it might well be impossible to say more than, could be.... What you'll need to do is a proper test, whether by acid, smell, specific gravity, or heat transfer (and these are not all equally reliable).

Quite possibly Ulysses Dietz, who is at the Newark Museum, will know for sure if Mayo worked in coin silver. I think I've seen it, but am not sure.

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posted 09-03-2006 09:35 AM            

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There are so many variations of the olive pattern, as you pointed out. It was so popular that I don't think a picture of something similar would be particularly useful. Your best bet might be to look at as many olive patterns as you can in both silver plate and coin and see if you can make the match yourself.

Many of the experienced dealers and collectors on this site have offered advice on how they tell coin from plate by the way it feels, looks(tarnish color) or smells(?) But sometimes you just have to make a leap of faith. If you really love the forks, I vote that you should buy them, use them, and consider them an investment in your silver education.

If you do buy them, post a picture. It might be fun for the forum for us all to post as may different olive variations as we can in one place.

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posted 09-15-2006 03:19 PM            

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Benjamin Mayo was primarily an electro-plate maker, but also worked in STERLING, not coin. He didn't start making solid silver until well into the sterling era--so the unmarked pieces would have been plated for sure.

Here is a chronology just done from Newark City directories:

Newark City Directory search, Benjamin Mayo (completed July 2006)

From files: Worked 1860-1908. Benjamin, William, John and Samuel Mayo. Shop at 337 Broad St., Newark

" 1862: Benjamin Mao, electroplater, 382 Broad St., h[ome]. 374 Washington St.
" 1865-66: ditto, silverplater, 116 Broad St., h. 76 Plane St.
" 1868: ditto, plated ware, 376 Broad St. h. 33 E. Kinney St.
" 1870: ditto, mfr. Silverware, 887 Broad St., h. 23 W. Kinney St.; also Mayo Brothers, gold & silver electroplate, 769 Broad St. (factory locale vs. retail shop?)
" 1871: Mayo Benj., same as 1870, but home is now 69 New York Ave.
" 1875: ditto, ditto, but has moved to 80 Walnut St.
" 1883: ditto, sterling silver and plate (same addresses)
" 1888: ditto, Jeweler & Silversmith (same addresses)
" 1890: ditto, jeweler, Importer, Silversmith
" 1893: Mayo, Benj. J., diamond dealer, jeweler and importer, 887 Broad St. h. 45 Spruce St.
" 1898: Mayo, Benj. James, jeweler, 887 Broad St.
" 1902: ditto, retired, 55 Lincoln Park (which is where Mary Sue and Clement Price live now: she is the museum director)

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posted 11-30-2006 11:57 AM            

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In the 1910 U. S. Census there is a Benjamin Mayo, born 1862, residing on Amboy Avenue in Raritan Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey. His occupation is listed as an electroplater, and he works in his own business which is a portable lamp factory. My guess is that this gentleman is a nephew of the elder Benjamin J Mayo that was being discussed in this topic, and Benjamin James was a popular family name.

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posted 08-16-2017 12:09 AM            

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1862/3 Pierson's Newark Directory Edwin B Smith and Benjamin J Mayo (Smith & Mayo) Electro, Gold and Silver Platers at 382 1/2 Broad Street.

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