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tline3open  Porter Blanchard

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Author Topic:   Porter Blanchard
M H Bradshaw

Posts: 32
Registered: Apr 99

iconnumber posted 09-07-1999 10:56 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for M H Bradshaw     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Can anyone tell me if the following is a mark of Porter Blanchard?

I know very little about A/C era silver, but I was given a serving spoon, in what appears to be Blanchard's Lotus pattern, with this stamp. If held at an angle against the light, the hammer marks can be seen. I've seen several items on Ebay (all in the Lotus pattern) with this marking and some are advertised as belonging to Blanchard, but no one has been able to give a reference that confirms this. Any help will be appreciated.
Hester

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Brent

Posts: 1507
Registered: May 99

iconnumber posted 09-08-1999 07:03 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Brent     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I am fairly certain that this is the mark of George Blanchard, Porter's father. George Blanchard worked at Stone Associates prior to 1909, when he opened his own shop (I believe this is where the 09 comes from). Porter took over the shop in 1914, although his father continued to work there and I am not certain if the shop mark changed when he took over. Porter continued to make things in the Lotus pattern, which was probably originated by his father, for many years. Porter's first mark of his own was a PB in an oval, probably used when he first set up shop in California in 1923 or 24.

I am getting most of this from "Silver in the Golden State", published by the Oakland Museum in 1986. I know there is a reference somewhere which directly links your mark to George Blanchard, but I can't recall it right now. It is a Blanchard mark, regardless. Hope this helps!

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M H Bradshaw

Posts: 32
Registered: Apr 99

iconnumber posted 09-08-1999 10:30 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for M H Bradshaw     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks, Brent, for clearing up the mystery. Tere Hagan's book had added to my confusion because she lists Lotus as being introduced in 1920. From that standpoint, the '09' made no sense. I've added your response to my other references on American silversmiths' marks.
Hester

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June Martin
Forum Master

Posts: 1326
Registered: Apr 93

iconnumber posted 10-08-2000 02:40 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for June Martin     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have a large serving spoon that also has the B09 mark followed by the letter L. What does the L mean? Is this like Stone where the workman puts his own mark on the piece or is this possibly a dating convention?

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