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Newbury Crafters backstamp

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Author	Topic: Newbury Crafters backstamp
Mary unregistered	posted 09-21-1999 02:45 PM [01-0041] I have a piece of sterling silver that I believe to be made by Newbury Crafters. The back stamp is the Newbury Eagle from what I can determine. But, according to Rainwater in "American Silver Manufacturers" she says the Newbury Eagle was never used as a back stamp. Do I have this back stamp confused with another silver company? IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 09-21-1999 04:05 PM It looks as if it is the Meriden Britannia Company mark. If you have a loop (magnifier, see if there is a very small English script "M" slightly above and to the left of the birds head. See Dorothy Rainwater, "Encyclopedia ....." fourth edition, page 214 IP: Logged
Brent Posts: 1507 Registered: May 99	posted 09-21-1999 06:09 PM Does anyone know if Old Newbury Crafters may have changed their mark to use the eagle? No disrespect to Rainwater, but the entry for ONC in the 4th edition has not been changed from the 3rd edition, and possibly there have been some changes that are unrecorded. Alternately, it could indeed be the Meriden Britannia Company mark, possibly revived by International Silver at a later date. International continues to recycle their old trademarks (like Holmes & Edwards), and it doesn't look like the m is there from the picture. Is the piece of good weight, and is there evicence of hand finishing? If it is, I would lean towards ONC. If it seems lightweight, or appears to be stamped out, I would lean towards International. IP: Logged
Stephen Posts: 625 Registered: Jan 2003	posted 02-07-2003 01:41 AM I believe that this is an undocumented mark of the Meriden Britannia Co. Meriden didn't always use the "M" with the bird -- see the mark (in a square) in Rainwater. I've seen a number of pieces (not as interesting as this one) with the mark that Mary shows -- all being the type of thing manufactured by International. And... What is that bird? Any orinthologists lurking out there? IP: Logged
dragonflywink Posts: 993 Registered: Dec 2002	posted 02-07-2003 04:34 AM I've had this bowl for years and am sure it's International. It has the same mark, but the number is WB135. Often wondered who the designer was, is the "WB" a clue? Wouldn't find it hard to believe that Mary's lovely piece had the same designer. Someone following after La Paglia? IP: Logged
Brent Posts: 1507 Registered: May 99	posted 02-07-2003 08:45 AM Hi all, Since the original post in this thread, I have had a chance to handle a number of pieces with this mark, and it is definitely a revival of the old Meriden Britannia company mark by International. I only wish I knew why they revived it and when. The mark seems to appear mainly on pieces with modern or hammered designs, like the pieces illustrated here. If you look at my thread on Alphonse LaPaglia in the 20th Century Forum you will see a fork, certainly a LaPaglia design, with the same mark. Brent IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 02-07-2003 09:20 AM I sent the photos to ONC and got this reply: quote: ONC product? Past or present? HI, We are very happy to hear from you. In regard to the pictures you emailed the items pictured would have been made by the Meridan Britannia Co. wich became part of International Silver. Old Newbury Crafters never used the Griffin symbol on any sterling holloware. The only mark used on Old Newbury Crafters sterling holloware is ONC STERLING. Sincerely, Old Newbury Crafters IP: Logged
Stephen Posts: 625 Registered: Jan 2003	posted 02-08-2003 08:11 PM Aha! The griffin bird... A human fantasy, used in coats of arms, flags... and some Meriden Britannia Co. silver marks. IP: Logged
middletom unregistered	posted 05-27-2004 08:10 PM The griffin at Old Newbury was taken from the emblem of the estate of the Mosely family of Newburyport, Mass. and used only in advertisement liturature and on the sign at the company. The owner at the time sent it along to Rainwater and it was given prominance it didn't deserve and that has led to the confusion over the years. IP: Logged

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