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My great aunt's silver - what is it?

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Author	Topic: My great aunt's silver - what is it?
lhaschke Posts: 2 Registered: Nov 2008	posted 11-16-2008 02:06 PM [26-1747] Hello All: Am hoping you can help me identify the origin of my great Aunt Elvie's silver, which I inherited. Photos of the marks and set: Aunt Elvie was born in 1888 and traveled extensively in Europe in the early part of the 20th century, so they may be European...have not been able to find any similar marks for American silver in my research. Unfortunately, she died before I ever had a chance to inquire so I would like to know in order to have the proper history to pass down to my nieces. Thank you for viewing this and for any assistance you can provide. IP: Logged
bascall Posts: 1629 Registered: Nov 99	posted 11-16-2008 02:12 PM Neat stuff. You are sure to get a good answer on this site. However, please don't be offended by my asking, but first please read the guidelines. Ask questions about them if you need to do so. And I hope you're research is ultimately totally successful. IP: Logged
doc Posts: 728 Registered: Jul 2003	posted 11-16-2008 02:45 PM Actually, bascall, I think she's provided the information that we look for in the guidelines. The first mark you show on your photos is Austro-Hungarian, and was used from 1866-1937. The shape of the mark, the "flower shape" is used to denote that the pieces are made from .800 silver. Although this is not a definitive way of determining this, from the style of the pieces and the monogram, I would think they would date to the first quarter of the 20th century. I do not know the maker; perhaps someone with a better knowledge of Continental silver will know it. IP: Logged
vathek Posts: 966 Registered: Jun 99	posted 11-16-2008 04:54 PM just a quick response - the woman's head is an Austrian mark used from about 1867. IP: Logged
silverhunter Posts: 704 Registered: Jul 2007	posted 11-17-2008 02:50 AM The figures used in this mark can be 1 (is 950/1000 silver alloy), 2 (is 900 silver alloy) 3 (is 800 silver alloy). Nice pattern and silver flatware. IP: Logged
dragonflywink Posts: 993 Registered: Dec 2002	posted 11-17-2008 09:33 AM I'm away from my references at the moment, but if I recall correctly, the Austro-Hungarian Empire Diana-head (Dianakopf) marks in this form, with the city mark included inside the cartouche along with the standard were used from 1872-1922. Not sure, but suspect that the letter is "P" for Pest (Budapest). There were four standards, identifiable by shape: 1st (.950) - sexfoil, with truncated bottom lobe. 2nd (.900) - hexagon 3rd (.800) - cinquefoil 4th (.750) - pentagon ~Cheryl IP: Logged
bascall Posts: 1629 Registered: Nov 99	posted 11-17-2008 12:02 PM quote: Originally posted by doc: Actually, bascall, I think she's provided the information that we look for in the guidelines. Thanks Doc. [This message has been edited by bascall (edited 11-17-2008).] IP: Logged
silverhunter Posts: 704 Registered: Jul 2007	posted 11-17-2008 04:27 PM The small silver mark shown below is also used in the period of 1872-1902 and is a import mark for Austria-Hungary. There are a lot of possibilities considering the import letter and instead of the little letter c there is a list of a-h and k,l,m, / p,q,r / t,u,v. The letters are standing for different countries, like described under figure 79 and 80.(In a little silver book about silver stamps from the whole world? Jan Divis). (wrote in German language). A. Wien (A) B. Linz (A) C. Praha(CS) D. Brno (CS) E. Krakow(PL) F. Lwow (SU) G. Graz (A) H. Bregenz(A) K. Klagenfurt(A) L. Ljubjana (YU) M. Trieste P. Pest (H) R. Kosice (CS) T. Timisaora (R) U. Alba Julia(R) V. Zagreb (YU) In another topic I had a question about a little spoon and gave the same information I wonder if this mark also could be used on the flatware shown in this topic. The silversmith BU or ?BU, I can't find until now. Austrian Silver list. The page shows information about Austrian and Hungary silver items. Did Austria/Hungary used two import marks in that period? Did they used only the small mark at small silver items?. IP: Logged
silverhunter Posts: 704 Registered: Jul 2007	posted 11-18-2008 06:20 AM The website Hallmarking in Austria-Hungary ~ After 1866 is better to find and select Austria, it will give a clear image of the Austrian marks. IP: Logged
Hose_dk Posts: 400 Registered: May 2008	posted 12-31-2008 08:23 AM My reply is for silverhunter. I am sorry but I must correct you. The mark is not import. The country is Austri-Hungaria and that is 1 country. The letters represent various cities in Austria Hungaria. Today these cities are located in Poland, Serbia etc. But at that time it was all Habsburg Today you are right they represent different countries. But at that time - before WWI - no. Same with Germany and Italy it did not excist before - you have various independent states/cityes. IP: Logged
silverhunter Posts: 704 Registered: Jul 2007	posted 01-11-2009 01:25 PM Late reaction from my side hose-dk but now I understand the background information/history to these marks,thanks a lot. It's a lot of history! IP: Logged
DB Posts: 252 Registered: May 2006	posted 01-12-2009 07:10 PM The letter P stands definitely for the Pest assay office between 1866-1937. A very good book for looking up Austrian marks quickly is Alfred Rohrwasser:Oesterreichs Punzen/ Edelmetall Punzierung in Oesterreich von 1524 bis 1987, Verlag Bondi. The flatware is a turn of the century to 1920 style, very popular throughout the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, unfortunately the book on Hungarian mastermarks only records masters up to 1867. IP: Logged

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