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ONC marks of silversmiths

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Author	Topic: ONC marks of silversmiths
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 11-02-2011 01:40 PM Geoff, I just re-made this list. Please let me know if anything needs to change. If you and/or anyone has images of the actual marks as struck or even better drawings... please send them to me. Thanks IP: Logged
middletom Posts: 467 Registered: May 2004	posted 11-29-2011 06:10 PM Scott, The list you have shows the marks as they appear when stamped. I can't get any better than what you have. For changes: Robert Bean was here from 1967-1982, Chester Dow was from sometime in the thirties to 1977, George Gillman was from 1978-1982, James Harvey from 1955-about 1999 (I'm not sure of just what year he retired), Robert Lapham 1965-2011, Roger Rowell 1955-1997 (I believe that's when he retired), George Woundy 1965-1982, Dan Morrill started about 1959 or 1960 until 1980. I hope that helps. If I can get exact retirements for Harvey and Rowell I'll let you know. Geoff IP: Logged
middletom Posts: 467 Registered: May 2004	posted 11-29-2011 06:14 PM Scott, I experienced a bit of brain fade and didn't realize the list was only for the time span of the marks. The changes I entered above are the full periods of employment. You can use what I gave you to update the leaving or retirement of the individuals. Geoff IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 11-29-2011 06:22 PM Thanks .... I may not get to this until middle/end of next week. Please don't hesitate to remind me. IP: Logged
Kimo Posts: 1627 Registered: Mar 2003	posted 11-30-2011 03:25 PM Did these silversmiths not use any personal markings before 1965? Did they have alternate markings that they used in the pre-1965 years? Thanks. [This message has been edited by Kimo (edited 11-30-2011).] IP: Logged
middletom Posts: 467 Registered: May 2004	posted 12-06-2011 06:56 PM Kimo, Prior to 1965 no personal marks were placed on the silver, only handwrought and ONC sterling. The personal marks came about because the stores we sold through suggested that the individuals have their own marks to give more interest for the buyers. It has proved over the years that the buyers of our silver place a great deal of interest in who made the silver they own, so that was good advise from the stores. middletom IP: Logged
Kimo Posts: 1627 Registered: Mar 2003	posted 12-07-2011 06:15 PM Thanks, Geoff. That helps me understand. I agree that adding the personal marks was a great idea. I think that most people who care enough to buy hand wrought works of art like your silver really do care who the smith is who made it for them. It gives it that human touch in the way that an artist's signature gives a painting the same kind of finishing touch. IP: Logged
middletom Posts: 467 Registered: May 2004	posted 12-07-2011 09:07 PM Kimo, We have all had responses from customers over the years telling how much they loved the silver and to know that there were actual people, individuals, who made the silver and signed the pieces. It is very gratifying to have a response like that. It makes the occasional smashed thumb worthwhile. Geoff IP: Logged
agphile Posts: 798 Registered: Apr 2008	posted 12-08-2011 01:19 PM Might hot forging, and thus the use of tongs, protect the thumb? If so, does this make English silversmiths sensible or just scaredy cats? Seriously, I agree that the pleasure of silver is enhanced by knowing the maker or at least something about the maker. IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 12-08-2011 01:51 PM IP: Logged

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