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Author Topic:   Hello
saphira2021

Posts: 4
Registered: Jun 2013

iconnumber posted 06-10-2013 06:39 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for saphira2021     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I am new here. Came here because I am interested in buying sterling silver tableware and need to get some pointers.

This is not for investment but for everyday use. I am particularly interested in Watson Mount Vernon pattern but open to suggestion.

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Kimo

Posts: 1627
Registered: Mar 2003

iconnumber posted 06-11-2013 05:01 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Kimo     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
What kind of pointers are you seeking? The pattern you mention is a nice one, though one of the simpler designs from that time. It was designed in 1907 and you can find it in dealer stocks, in the on-line auction sites, and in the on-line vintage silver flatware specialty stores.

Unless you can find pieces with your initials on them, or unless you find various initials and monograms of other owners charming, you may want to consider paying a little extra for ones that have no monogram. You might also want to assure yourself that the pieces you acquire have not had monograms or initials removed since the only way to do that is to remove enough metal to get the surface below the deepest spot of the engraving leaving a less than perfect piece of flatware.

You should also consider from the start how many place settings you will want and develop a plan based on that. A typical place setting of the era would have been 12 or 24 depending on how big your dining table was. These days many people no longer entertain that many at once so you might think about a 8 place setting.

You will also want to think about all of the many specialized pieces in the pattern. Back then they were making all kinds of special pieces in the popular patterns so they could keep selling more and more new pieces to people who bought a pattern.

And then many patterns had associated holloware to go with it as well. Bowls, pots, platters, etc. etc.

Have you started on acquiring your set yet? Would you like to share some photos of your pieces so everyone can enjoy seeing your pattern?

[This message has been edited by Kimo (edited 06-12-2013).]

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saphira2021

Posts: 4
Registered: Jun 2013

iconnumber posted 06-11-2013 05:26 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for saphira2021     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thank you for your welcome Kimo.

Actually, I really like the simplicity of this pattern. I don't like ornate and this is not for a formal anything. we use sterling every day, I have done so my entire life. was raised that way. Not because we were rich, but because it was considered healthy, and healthy was hard to come by.

You mention dealer stocks, online auction sites and on-line vintage silver flatware specialty stores. Would love to find some of those. I know of replacements.com but they are very expensive and don't have anything in this pattern.

I don't see monograms as particularly bothersome, but none would be better. Not a deal breaker though.

Thanks for the pointer about monogram removal.

I have acquired yeas ago large and medium forks. not sure how many are left, will need to count since my dmil kept tossing them in the garbage. Sometimes we catch, sometimes we don't. I like the heft of large forks and would like to get at lest a total of 14 of those. Soup spoons (14) would be good (I have none), tea spoons (14, I have none of those either). Have plenty of knives, don't need any. Would like to add some medium size forks and spoons too.

As I said, this is not intended for show, this is for everyday use.

14 because I would like to have a couple to spare. They are getting harder to get.

I don't know if I need any special pieces. maybe some for salads and such. maybe not.

No holloware.

I will post some photos later, but I have to say that I am really challenged when it comes to photo posting. I am just not good with that.

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Kimo

Posts: 1627
Registered: Mar 2003

iconnumber posted 06-12-2013 05:41 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Kimo     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The company you mention is definitely one place to look but as you say their stock changes over time any they often do not have things in all of the huge number of patterns that are out there. There are various web-based auctions including the giant everything for sale one that we do not specifically mention on this website for many reasons. I just did a quick search there and came up with about 8 pieces of various kinds - though mostly there were accessory pieces such as ladles and tongs and such. Some were misidentified also.

Whatever you do, you are unlikely to find old silver patterns such as this one for minimal cost since they are made of solid silver (92.5% pure silver at any rate) and also they are over 100 years old for the most part.

What many people do is instead of trying to assemble an entire pattern one fork or spoon at a time is they find a relatively compete set of a pattern that they can come to really like and buy it as the core of their silver. They then add a few pieces here and there for completion. You are taking the more challenging approach which is fine, but you should manage your expectations on how long it will take.

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saphira2021

Posts: 4
Registered: Jun 2013

iconnumber posted 06-12-2013 06:14 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for saphira2021     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thank you for that, but is there any way to find out what other places there are out there besides the one you mentioned? A full set would be good but I have no idea where to start looking. And internet searching is not acting friendly here for someone who has no idea how to look for something like this.

Suggestions?

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seaduck

Posts: 350
Registered: Dec 2006

iconnumber posted 06-13-2013 10:49 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for seaduck     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Here's a suggestion...you didn't say how you came to focus on that pattern, which is indeed very nice. If you've been looking at silver for a long time and find that you're gravitating toward it, that's fine. But if this is something that has only recently struck your fancy, I'd suggest simply looking at flatware for a while. Tastes change the more you're exposed to something.

I don't know that pattern, and I don't focus much on flatware, but it seems to me that there are patterns out there that are somewhat similar. They may be easier to find or less expensive.

If I were buying a flatware service right now, I would first get a sense of a few patterns or a look and quality that I would be happy with. Then, if I had the time, I would start to troll auction houses, particularly local regional auction houses, that often have sales featuring lots of flatware. Sometimes they are sold through "discovery" auctions -- which are held more often and don't necessarily get the full print catalogue treatment, but are usually well catalogued online. Here in New England, there are several such houses. If you go with an open mind, you can get a very good deal. If you live nearby, you can view the offerings in person and talk to someone.

Publications such as Maine Antiques Digest (which is a national monthly) and Antiques & the Arts Weekly have auction calendars in print and online. And if you read such things, you'll develop a sense of which houses are most appropriate for your interests.

Good luck!

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Kimo

Posts: 1627
Registered: Mar 2003

iconnumber posted 06-13-2013 03:46 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Kimo     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Right - what I was suggesting is what Seaduck more clearly said. Finding many pieces of a specific pattern is often a very difficult proposition. Finding a large set of silver in some other pattern that you like just as much is much easier. Dealers and auction houses tend to get sets of silver as they come from estates or from families that just give up on having to polish them all the time and never use them. The result is the chances of any specific given pattern coming along are very tiny, but the chances of other patterns coming along that you might like as much or perhaps even more are not too bad. In addition to the advice Seaduck gave, another approach is to go to a couple of the big antique shows. Not flea markets so much, but the indoor shows where the dealers are selected by the promoters for the quality of their antiques. There are almost always several big silver dealers at those shows and they tend to have a nice selection of old silver sets along with individual pieces of silver. It will not be cheap since these dealers have to buy and hold a large amount of stock and also cover their costs of time and have a fair profit for their work, but they can be very helpful.

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saphira2021

Posts: 4
Registered: Jun 2013

iconnumber posted 06-15-2013 09:23 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for saphira2021     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Well, I wrote a long reply and the website ate it frown

My point is that I am open to suggestions. Mount Vernon, as I said above is because I like the simplicity and I already have some pieces and also like the heavy weight of the big forks.

I am looking for places where I can go and look and see what I can find. Since I am not familiar with the market, I am looking for pointers where to look. A set is fine but I will not buy a huge set of pieces I will never use This is strictly for daily use.

I will look at the 2 magazines suggested but would like to find other places too. Online or in real life.

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ahwt

Posts: 2334
Registered: Mar 2003

iconnumber posted 06-16-2013 10:46 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for ahwt     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Perseverance is the key in finding objects that you want. You can however save some search time if you use the “saved search” function on eBay or the “alert” function under the “specialized search” category on Google. You have to use the right key words for these searches or you will get too many hits and will become weary of reading your e-mails. The other search engines may also have this search and alert feature and other auction houses may also have their type of a saved search.
The internet is a very open place and nothing is ever a secret in this public arena.

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June Martin
Forum Master

Posts: 1326
Registered: Apr 93

iconnumber posted 06-30-2013 08:59 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for June Martin     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Hi. Watson Mount Vernon is a very nice classic pattern. I concur with everything already said above in terms of source recommendations. Patience and perseverance are key to success as well as enjoying the thrill of the hunt. You can always check the Silver Events & Exhibitions forum here to see if there are any antique shows coming up in your area. Nothing quite as good as seeing and touching the pieces in person as far as I'm concerned. Also great to meet the silver dealers and have them help with the search.

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