SMP Logo
SM Publications
Silver Salon Forums - The premier site for discussing Silver.
SMP | Silver Salon Forums | SSF - Guidelines | SSF - FAQ | Silver Sales

The Silver Salon Forums
Since 1993
Over 11,793 threads & 64,769 posts !!
Continental / International Silver Forum
How to Post Photos REGISTER (click here)

customtitle open  SMP Silver Salon Forums
tlineopen  Continental / International Silver
tline3open  BIRKS STERLING

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
profile | register | preferences | faq | search

ForumFriend SSFFriend: Email This Page to Someone! next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   BIRKS STERLING
obnock

Posts: 27
Registered: Mar 2005

iconnumber posted 06-05-2005 03:32 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for obnock     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have recently bought four small pepperetts/salts and they have Birks Sterling on the underside . I have managed to find out that Birks is a Canadian company but my question is how is one to decide how old they are?, is there a pattern book? or other such source, Or is the way BIRKS STERLING is stamped on give an indication of age. Thanks in anticipation Keith.

IP: Logged

Paul Lemieux

Posts: 1792
Registered: Apr 2000

iconnumber posted 06-05-2005 06:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Paul Lemieux     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The date can be determined by the ways you suggest. Going by the decoration, if decoration there be, is a good first step. Monograms can also be dated fairly easily in most cases. The way BIRKS STERLING is stamped is another clue, since the typefaces used by makers on their marks changed over time. If you can post pictures of your S & P sets and their marks, that would help us date them.

IP: Logged

hello

Posts: 200
Registered: Jun 2005

iconnumber posted 06-06-2005 07:33 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for hello     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
In my experience with Birks, I have noticed that pre 1930 or so, "Birks" was contained inside of a rectangle. My reasoning for this is that Birks followed similar marks to that of London from about 1900, and it seems the switch occurs in the 30's somewhere(36 if I remember correctly). This leads me into a question actually, are there any definitive books on hallmarks of canadian silver? I've been looking for one but can only seem to find provincially specific books, such as quebec or nova scotia. The only other book I have found with any canadian marks is "Silver and sheffield plate marks" by John Bly. The only marks it contains are very vage and somewhat misleading. For instance, I once found a silverplated reticulated plate with the same hallmark on the bottom of page 80, the lion passant. Although I know that this mark was primarily used by Birks on holloware items, I don't know if any other canadian maker used it. Anyways sorry to ramble but otherwise Paul is correct in saying that style or decoration is very important.
Winston

[This message has been edited by hello (edited 06-06-2005).]

[This message has been edited by hello (edited 06-06-2005).]

IP: Logged

tmullins

Posts: 4
Registered: Jul 2003

iconnumber posted 06-26-2005 06:07 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for tmullins     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Langdon's "Canadian Silversmiths 1700-1900" has information on date-letters used by Birks after 1898.

IP: Logged

All times are ET

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Close Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Hop to:


Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.46a


1. Public Silver Forums (open Free membership) - anyone with a valid e-mail address may register. Once you have received your Silver Salon Forum password, and then if you abide by the Silver Salon Forum Guidelines, you may start a thread or post a reply in the New Members' Forum. New Members who show a continued willingness to participate, to completely read and abide by the Guidelines will be allowed to post to the Member Public Forums.
Click here to Register for a Free password

2. Private Silver Salon Forums (invitational or $ donation membership) - The Private Silver Salon Forums require registration and special authorization to view, search, start a thread or to post a reply. Special authorization can be obtained in one of several ways: by Invitation; Annual $ Donation; or via Special Limited Membership. For more details click here (under development).

3. Administrative/Special Private Forums (special membership required) - These forums are reserved for special subjects or administrative discussion. These forums are not open to the public and require special authorization to view or post.


| Home | Order | The Guide to Evaluating Gold & Silver Objects | The Book of Silver
| Update BOS Registration | Silver Library | For Sale | Our Wants List | Silver Dealers | Speakers Bureau |
| Silversmiths | How to set a table | Shows | SMP | Silver News |
copyright © 1993 - 2022 SM Publications
All Rights Reserved.
Legal & Privacy Notices