posted 04-04-2002 06:10 PM            

The marking is on a silver tray with handles and feet, measuring approximately 8" x 11" excluding the handles. It was a wedding gift to my mom in 1953. The base of the tray has a very detailed pattern. The edging on the tray is a separate piece soldered on and has vertical slots all the way around.

The marking on the back has a number 74 below it.

The marking consists of a shield with a branch below it, a crown above it, and what looks like two lizards on either side of it. The "lizard" on the left has wings, the "lizard" on the right has a tail & horn. It occurs to me that they could be horses - i.e. Pegasus, etc. - but they don't really look like horses. The "lizards" are standing on their hind legs with their front legs resting on the shield. Inside the shield are the letters S F CO. The letter F is raised and the letter O is smaller and inside the C (i.e. makes me think of Co for company).

I'm guessing that since the tray doesn't have a "sterling" marking that it is probably plated. It is fairly heavy and seems to be very good quality.

Any information would be appreciated. I've looked for the marking in several spots and haven't been able to find any information about it or the company.

THANKS

posted 04-04-2002 09:04 PM            

The mark is that of the Friedman Silver Company of Brooklyn, NY. It was founded in 1908, and was purchased by Gorham in 1960. They made silverplated holloware, and pewter under the trade name "Pilgrim". I'm sure your piece is silverplate. You are right, the animals on either side look more like lizards than a griffin and a unicorn, which is what they are supposed to be!

posted 04-05-2002 10:12 AM            

I actually had to look up a griffin as I had never heard of that animal. It does indeed look like the picture in my dictionary except that I think it is supposed to have a tail and doesn't.

It also looks like the initials are backwards (S F not F S) but I suppose since the F is raised it is supposed to be more significant.