posted 10-17-2003 03:26 PM            

When mine arrived, I was delighted with it, but it is clearly marked EP (although whether or not this is the maker's initials or stands for electroplate I can't swear). However, it is ALSO clearly marked A1, which to me clearly DOES mean electroplate!

Can anyone help me with the identification of this piece in terms of maker, probably age, origin, etc.? Pictures included below.

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Anuh

posted 10-17-2003 07:10 PM            

EP is a standard British notation for electroplate. A1, used both there and here was (at least originally) supposed to indicate a high quality plating.

posted 10-17-2003 11:09 PM            

I wish I could completely identify it so that I could pass the information on to my friend as well, but... I'm afraid that she was much disturbed when I told her it was silverplate, as she purchased it as real silver (I think) and was making me a fantastic gift. It means as much to me as if it were made of pure gold, that is for sure, and I would really like to give her the scoop on it some day, irrefutably.

Back to researching...

posted 10-17-2003 11:12 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Patrick Vyvyan:
The A1 suggests England and the S, Sheffield. One possibility could be J H Potter, although I have usually seen just the initials JHP as the mark.

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Why would the A1 suggest England to you, Patrick? It was used by all the US makers who did silverplate.

I thought the S might be Sheffield, at a guess, but I don't have a list of Sheffield platers to refer to the marks on.

Thanks for your input, though. It is much appreciated.

posted 10-18-2003 02:16 PM            

The A1 mark was indeed widely used, I suspect mainly if not exclusively in English-speaking countries. (Has anyone seen it on German or Scandinavian silverplate, for example?) My belief is that this mark originated in England, most probably Sheffield. It was then "copied" by manufacturers in other countries, with an implicit suggestion that their product was in the same category as Sheffield quality.

Similarly, the Old English "S", I believe, began in England - perhaps introduced to replace the crown mark which was stopped c.1895 to prevent confusion with the Sheffield Assay Office crown on sterling. Likewise, however, this S has been "exported", presumably with the same intentions.

I believe A1 is a relatively common mark on Canadian silverplate, but generally less so on pieces from major manufacturers in the United States - possibly because the significance of the English allusion would have had less meaning or possibly because the American manufacturers enjoyed a popularity which meant this type of lip-service to the old country was unnecessary.

posted 10-19-2003 12:13 PM            

quote:

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Has anyone seen it on German or Scandinavian silverplate, for example?

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No, I never have. The A1 does seem to be a North American speciality. Skandinavian and German silverplate have their own somewhat distinctive markings. Since silverplate is a higly technological undertaking, it seems the process was never all that widespread.

The lovely spoon under discussion is one I have seen a number of times with various marks. Frequently it is associated with a fine china or glass bowl.

posted 10-19-2003 12:17 PM            

quote:

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The lovely spoon under discussion is one I have seen a number of times with various marks. Frequently it is associated with a fine china or glass bowl.

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Interesting. It is a nice size for serving, for sure. I will keep that in mind in further researching it.

posted 10-19-2003 04:16 PM            

"A1 means first-rate - the very best. In Lloyd's Register of British and Foreign Shipping the state of a ship's hull is designated by letters and that of the anchors, cables, etc. by figures. Thus A1 is a mark of the first class."

posted 10-19-2003 06:42 PM            

I grew up with the term "A1" meaning First Class, but every reference I've ever seen on silverplate lists it only as "Standard Plate", and in fact, implies it is less good than the higher grades of plate.

posted 10-22-2003 07:42 AM            

"According to E.R. Matheau-Raven in The identification and dating of Sheffield electroplated wares 1843-1943; 1997, John Henry Potter did use a similar mark to this on electroplated goods, from c.1884 -1921. The firm was in business from 1884 - .1940, at Rockingham Works, Rockingham Street, Sheffield.

A lot of firms stamped their goods with the 'S' - presumably to denote that they were made in Sheffield - though I have occasionally seen it on items made in Birmingham as well. Perhaps manufacturers hoped that the unwary might think that 'S' = Silver?!

Many manufacturers also stamped their goods A1 - I believe that Mr Matheau-Raven describes this as a 'Sales ploy', used to imply that the purchaser was buying the highest quality of goods.

Certainly it doesn't really mean anything - one maker's A1 is equivalent to another's 'A' or 'B', as there was no objective standard to be measured against.

Hope this answers your query.

Best wishes,
Jackie Richardson"

posted 10-22-2003 01:30 PM            

Their assessment of the S mark may well be true. Years ago, I was given a small metal box while in Paris. It was marked with an Au which the giver told me stood for Silver in French. Whether it does or not is unimportant. The fact is that the box was copper, silverplated at one time the best I could tell. I loved it for the gift it was, not for the metallic value (if any)!