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 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 Silverplate Forum
 Gorham Silver
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| Author | Topic: Gorham Silver |
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Puzzleartworks Posts: 2 |
posted 02-20-2006 01:58 AM
  
Is there a way to tell if a Gorham piece is Sterling or silverplate? We have a Gorham hurricane oil lamp that has the name Gorham, the anchor logo with an E and a P on either side, and the number YC 490 stamped on the bottom. The piece tarnishes easily and heavily. Also, if it is silverplate, can you use a silver polish on it anyway? Thanks IP: Logged |
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outwest Posts: 390 |
posted 02-20-2006 02:45 AM
Gorham's silverplate mark included E: Elmwood P: Plate Don't ask me what the Elmwood is for, but others here will know I am sure. I assumed 'E' was for 'electro', but I got my Rainwater Encyclopedia in the mail so I checked it first. You can certainly shine it with silver polish. Gorham made high quality plate. There is a chance you will remove all the silver by over polishing, though. Since it was meant to be kept out telling you to store it in a felt bag or at least a closed cabinet isn't very helpful. Some silver products have a tarnish retarder added that seems to work fairly well. And you could just let it tarnish, too. That's not so bad! I have actually found that if I dust silver off by hand with a cotton cloth it seems to stay shiney for a long time without polishing. Has anyone else found that to be true? [This message has been edited by outwest (edited 02-20-2006).] IP: Logged |
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hello Posts: 200 |
posted 02-20-2006 06:46 AM
Gorham sterling or coin silver will always have the gorham trademark of Lion, Anchor, and G. Plate will have any number of variations including silver soldered, YC prefix, any number preceded by O etc. So all you really need to know is that if there is no lion anchor G mark it is not sterling or coin silver. IP: Logged |
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Kimo Posts: 1627 |
posted 02-21-2006 10:20 AM
If it tarnishes easily and heavily you likely are keeping it in a place where there is some sulfur in the air or in some nearby objects. Sulfur comes from things like rubber, or the natural gas you use in your stove or to heat your home, or from some kinds of foods that have eggs in them, or from auto exhaust, or a nearby coal-fired powerplant, etc. If there is an obvious nearby source that you can control such as it sitting on a rubber place mat that you just remove, or it sitting near a gas stove in a kitchen and moving it to another part of the house, that may be the most simple cure. Alternatively you can polish it up nicely and coat it with a thin clear laquer that should keep it bright for a long time, or you could get an anti-tarnish polish (I've found 3M's Tarni-Shield Silver Polish to be okay, and Hagerty Silversmiths' Wash seems almost as good, but I am sure there are others that work) which will not stop it from tarnishing but will slow it down a lot so you won't have to polish it so often. [This message has been edited by Kimo (edited 02-21-2006).] IP: Logged |
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Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 |
posted 02-21-2006 10:27 AM
Also you could consider using Renaissance Wax. IP: Logged |
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Puzzleartworks Posts: 2 |
posted 02-21-2006 12:02 PM
Thanks to all of you for your helpful replies. I learned a lot from them. P. IP: Logged |
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outwest Posts: 390 |
posted 02-21-2006 11:49 PM
Does the Renaissance wax do any damage at all? There is an old, large piece I've been wanting to lacquer, but have not wanted to hurt it. Maybe the wax is the answer? IP: Logged |
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Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 |
posted 02-22-2006 07:24 AM
Renaissance Wax is a great product but it does take time and patience to do right/well. It is best used on pieces that are on display and not handled much. Like lacquer the micro crystalline wax creates a clear barrier between the silver and air, thereby preventing sulphur in the air from tarnishing the silver. When the day comes (and it will) that you need to remove the lacquer or wax, the wax is easiest. Also the wax is the easier to touch up when compared to lacquering. If you have the patience to learn how to apply the wax evenly and thinly then it is a great and silver friendly product. IP: Logged |
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swarter Moderator Posts: 2920 |
posted 02-22-2006 06:56 PM
Lacquer will not harm the metal. but it is very difficult to apply evenly, as it dries rapidly, and if not done properly (which is an art mastered only after much practice), will result in streaks and/or blotches. Best to use the wax, even though it is less permanent. IP: Logged |
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outwest Posts: 390 |
posted 02-22-2006 11:29 PM
Thanks! I will order some. IP: Logged |
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Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 |
posted 05-04-2010 12:24 PM
outwest, Did you ever get and then master using the wax? IP: Logged |
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Ulysses Dietz Moderator Posts: 1265 |
posted 06-24-2010 04:43 PM
Elmwood was the part of Providence, RI, where the Gorham factory--which was the largest silver factory in the world--stood. The factory was called the "Elmwood Plant." But doesn't EP just mean "electro plate"? IP: Logged |
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