SMP Logo
SM Publications
Silver Salon Forums - The premier site for discussing Silver.
SMP | Silver Salon Forums | SSF - Guidelines | SSF - FAQ | Silver Sales

The Silver Salon Forums
Since 1993
Over 11,793 threads & 64,769 posts !!
A Curator's Viewpoint Forum
How to Post Photos REGISTER (click here)

customtitle open  SMP Silver Salon Forums
tlineopen  A Curator's Viewpoint
tline3open  Wallace tea set and removal of monogram

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
profile | register | preferences | faq | search

ForumFriend SSFFriend: Email This Page to Someone! next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   Wallace tea set and removal of monogram
Grammy K

Posts: 4
Registered: Oct 2001

iconnumber posted 10-01-2001 12:58 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Grammy K     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

I have the opportunity to purchase a five piece sterling tea set plus trav for a very low price. It is in a small "home" antique shop which specializes in furniture; in fact, this was the only silver in the entire shop. The clerk had no information
except the price.

On the bottom of each piece:
sterling
Wallace 3370
"antique"

On the bottom of the tray:
Wallace 475

Each hollow ware piece has a very ornate three initial monogram; while not worn, it is so ornate, I can not identify the middle initial with certainty; it is not deeply engraved.

My questions:

The set is so inexpensive, I wonder if it is probable it might not really be sterling?

What is your best guess on the age: antique, old, or merely second hand used? (Although it is in very good condition, it obviously is not new -- has a patina and a few very light scratches, as well as traces of silver polish in the insulation joints, which are black and have fine cracks).

Does the monogram add to or subtract from the value? Is it practical to remove the monograms? Any idea of the cost?

This seems like a wonderful service. Thank you for any help you can give me.


IP: Logged

Paul Lemieux

Posts: 1792
Registered: Apr 2000

iconnumber posted 10-01-2001 02:09 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Paul Lemieux     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I don't see any reason why this set would not be sterling. Sometimes sterling things can be had cheaply. If the place specializes in furniture, they might not know how to price silver.

The tray doesn't sound like sterling, which is not uncommon. Silverplated ones were often purchased with a sterling set since a sterling tray would be very expensive.

It is from the 20th century; I would say probably 50-75 years old. "Antique" is probably the name of the service's pattern.

I would definitely not remove the monogram, even if they are not your initials. It thins the silver, requires buffing which removes the patina, and also lowers the value. Plus a monogram looks nice, I think.

It sounds like you like the set...and if it is a good price, I would seize the opportunity!

IP: Logged

Ulysses Dietz
Moderator

Posts: 1265
Registered: May 99

iconnumber posted 10-02-2001 11:15 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ulysses Dietz     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I would agree on all counts. There is a lot of inexpensive sterling out there that is old but not "antique." I am definitely against buffing off monograms, and I'd just live with it (or change your name to match?). You might look and see if there are books on Wallace Sterling out there, and see if you can find out when "Antique" was made--it might match a flatware pattern. All of this is uniquely American--the designation of pattern names, and coordinated flatware and hollowware--all for the American market, tapping into our sensibility and our love of named patterns and the romantic heritage of silver.

IP: Logged

Paul Lemieux

Posts: 1792
Registered: Apr 2000

iconnumber posted 10-02-2001 11:42 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Paul Lemieux     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Wallace's Antique flatware pattern was aparently patented or designed in 1926. So the set would date to that year or after.

IP: Logged

Grammy K

Posts: 4
Registered: Oct 2001

iconnumber posted 11-20-2001 12:06 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Grammy K     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks to those who replied. Once again I learned that she who hesitates is lost. After reading first reply I called the store only to learn I had been quoted the wrong price: $350 vs $4500!!! If I had bought it that day for 350 and later learned the correct price (since I would have paid by check, I am certain I would have been notified) my conscience would not have let me keep it.....but I am glad I was not put to the test!

Thanks again for the info.

IP: Logged

All times are ET

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Close Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Hop to:


Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.46a


1. Public Silver Forums (open Free membership) - anyone with a valid e-mail address may register. Once you have received your Silver Salon Forum password, and then if you abide by the Silver Salon Forum Guidelines, you may start a thread or post a reply in the New Members' Forum. New Members who show a continued willingness to participate, to completely read and abide by the Guidelines will be allowed to post to the Member Public Forums.
Click here to Register for a Free password

2. Private Silver Salon Forums (invitational or $ donation membership) - The Private Silver Salon Forums require registration and special authorization to view, search, start a thread or to post a reply. Special authorization can be obtained in one of several ways: by Invitation; Annual $ Donation; or via Special Limited Membership. For more details click here (under development).

3. Administrative/Special Private Forums (special membership required) - These forums are reserved for special subjects or administrative discussion. These forums are not open to the public and require special authorization to view or post.


| Home | Order | The Guide to Evaluating Gold & Silver Objects | The Book of Silver
| Update BOS Registration | Silver Library | For Sale | Our Wants List | Silver Dealers | Speakers Bureau |
| Silversmiths | How to set a table | Shows | SMP | Silver News |
copyright © 1993 - 2022 SM Publications
All Rights Reserved.
Legal & Privacy Notices