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  silver or not

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:   silver or not
aedw
unregistered
iconnumber posted 11-25-2001 05:31 PM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
We have inherited a 60 piece flatware set, which appears to be silver. Each piece has a stamp: an old-fasioned type of "J" with a tiny animal inside (could be a deer) and the words "STERLING PAT.1922" next to it. Except for one piece (looks like bought later as add-on or replacement) all pieces are in pouches from "Wright.Kay & Co, Jewelers, Detroit," the add-on piece is "Wethered-Rice Co., Flint Mich." Do we have something here?

IP: Logged

Brent

Posts: 1507
Registered: May 99

iconnumber posted 11-25-2001 06:25 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Brent     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Hello, and welcome to the Forums.

You appear to have a 60 piece set of sterling silver flatware. There are very few items marked sterling that are not "solid" silver, and there is no reason to suspect that your set is not what it appears to be. Sterling means that the silver is 92.5% pure, and the term is rather consistently applied throughout the world. The remaining 7.5% is copper, added to give the silver more strength. Pure silver would be too soft to use for silverware.

The mark you describe sounds most like that of Towle Silversmiths, an old company which is still in business today. The PAT. 1922 means that the flatware design was patented in 1922. If you can post a picture or give us a detailed description of the pattern, we might be able to identify it for you.

Your set does have value, and should be insured. The actual price you could get if you wanted to sell it would depend on the desirability of the pattern, the condition, and whether or not the pieces are monogrammed. An ASA-certified appraiser would be your best source for a professional evaluation.

I hope this helps!

Brent

IP: Logged

aedwa
unregistered
iconnumber posted 11-25-2001 07:09 PM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks so much! Can't figure ot how to post a picture, so I've emailed it.

quote:
Originally posted by Brent:
Hello, and welcome to the Forums.

You appear to have a 60 piece set of sterling silver flatware. There are very few items marked sterling that are not "solid" silver, and there is no reason to suspect that your set is not what it appears to be. Sterling means that the silver is 92.5% pure, and the term is rather consistently applied throughout the world. The remaining 7.5% is copper, added to give the silver more strength. Pure silver would be too soft to use for silverware.

The mark you describe sounds most like that of Towle Silversmiths, an old company which is still in business today. The PAT. 1922 means that the flatware design was patented in 1922. If you can post a picture or give us a detailed description of the pattern, we might be able to identify it for you.

Your set does have value, and should be insured. The actual price you could get if you wanted to sell it would depend on the desirability of the pattern, the condition, and whether or not the pieces are monogrammed. An ASA-certified appraiser would be your best source for a professional evaluation.

I hope this helps!

Brent


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