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Author Topic:   buying because it has something new
argentum1

Posts: 602
Registered: Apr 2004

iconnumber posted 01-29-2008 03:04 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for argentum1     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I do not collect specific items, i.e. sugar bowls or specific silversmiths but rather for interesting features of the item. I purchased these tongs for the grip (bowl end). I have a number of shell end tongs but these shells made me take a second look. They have a plain flat outside border and on the inside is the apparent hand cutting by the die maker. I have never seen this specific shell grip before so out comes the credit card. Boy, I hope congress hurries up with that rebate. The tongs are by Joel sayre. SWARTER advised this to be by Jacob Schaeffer of Washington, Pa. Thank you Swarter.


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swarter
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Posts: 2920
Registered: May 2003

iconnumber posted 01-29-2008 05:18 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for swarter     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The mark is that of Jacob Schaeffer of Washington, PA, and not Joel Sayre.

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argentum1

Posts: 602
Registered: Apr 2004

iconnumber posted 01-29-2008 05:59 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for argentum1     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Mystery #7,829 cleared up. Thanks for correcting me. I always thought that was an alternate mark for Sayre. What are his dates?

Maurice Brix has a book on Pa silversmiths published in 1920. I have read that he was to publish a Pa silversmiths book with marks. Did he do so as I can not find a listing for it. Thank you for any assistance.

[This message has been edited by argentum1 (edited 01-29-2008).]

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FWG

Posts: 845
Registered: Aug 2005

iconnumber posted 01-30-2008 09:52 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for FWG     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The only Brix I know of or find any record of is the Philadelphia list published in 1920. This also gives allied trades, but no marks or information beyond name, trade, and dates in the directory. Personally I'd recommend a photocopy rather than an original at the exorbitant prices those now command. I also have Gerstell's Lancaster book, but those are the only PA references I have.

What's the reference for Schaeffer? I can't remember ever seeing that identified. Those wonderfully crude shells do fit well with a relatively rural western PA location.

[This message has been edited by FWG (edited 01-30-2008).]

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wev
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Posts: 4121
Registered: Apr 99

iconnumber posted 01-30-2008 09:54 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for wev     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Or you could just go here:
Brix

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FWG

Posts: 845
Registered: Aug 2005

iconnumber posted 01-30-2008 10:01 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for FWG     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Quite right - sorry, wev, I had forgotten you had put that up. I've had the photocopy for years....

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argentum1

Posts: 602
Registered: Apr 2004

iconnumber posted 01-30-2008 10:16 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for argentum1     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have seen the Brix site before but rarely use it as there are no illustrated marks. Those references using photos are preferable but can be pricey. I had the Lancaster book but loaned it out and the borrower said he lost it. So now I am buying a new(used) copy.

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swarter
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Posts: 2920
Registered: May 2003

iconnumber posted 01-30-2008 04:09 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for swarter     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by argentum1:
[B]Mystery #7,829 cleared up. Thanks for correcting me. I always thought that was an alternate mark for Sayre. What are his dates?

1758-1852, w. before 1792-1850.

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argentum1

Posts: 602
Registered: Apr 2004

iconnumber posted 01-30-2008 04:25 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for argentum1     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Swarter, I do not find Schaeffer in the list by Brix. Where is he listed.

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ahwt

Posts: 2334
Registered: Mar 2003

iconnumber posted 01-30-2008 09:51 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for ahwt     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Jacob Schaffer is listed in James Biser Whisker's book on Pennsylvania Silversmiths, Goldsmiths and Pewterers, 1684-1900. Whisker does not have any photographs of marks, but he states that Schaffer's silverware was marked with "roman type in a rectanglar die mark." He referenced Beers, History of Washington County.
For as long as Schaffer practiced as a silversmith I would think that his silver would not be all that rare.

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swarter
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Posts: 2920
Registered: May 2003

iconnumber posted 01-31-2008 09:17 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for swarter     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by ahwt:
For as long as Schaffer practiced as a silversmith I would think that his silver would not be all that rare.

It is not that rare - there are quite a few spoons. He has several marks (from my own research and Winterthur's); all but his full name mark are often misidentified. His only published piece is a silver-hilted sword with his full name mark, and that is listed as "location unknown."

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avalata

Posts: 61
Registered: Feb 2003

iconnumber posted 04-10-2016 01:56 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for avalata     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I thought I'd add pictures of a very similar pair of sugar tongs with Jacob Schaffer's full name mark. It's nice when pieces are so distinctive as to confirm a mark (though in this case the mark has already been confirmed through other means)!

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