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 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 Continental / International Silver
 Can anyone recommend books on French silver?
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| Author | Topic: Can anyone recommend books on French silver? |
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allentownboy Posts: 67 |
posted 02-18-2009 04:24 PM
  
[26-1804] I am really glad I have joined this site! The number of knowledgeable people here is astounding. Reading through many of the other posts here has taught me a tremendous amount in just the last few days about pieces in my own collection! In that vein, I would like pick the brains of those with more knowledge, and see if anyone may be able to suggest some "beginner" reading for learning about French silver manufacturing and French makers themselves. Frankly, my internet research on several makers has turned up very little, so perhaps books may be the way to go to learn more! I have several French made flatware sets myself which prompted this inquiry. IP: Logged |
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FWG Posts: 845 |
posted 02-18-2009 04:35 PM
You may have run across this before, and I think it's been posted here before but worth repeating if so as it's quite useful. The French Ministry of Culture maintains a searchable index of makers and marks that is quite useful. It certainly won't answer all questions, and has very limited information on the smiths, but it can at least get you started with an identification. Not for makers but for general French marking practice, the best reference is probably still Tardy. Although it is as the title says International Hallmarks on Silver, the section on France is by far the most detailed - unsurprisingly since it is French in origin. And widely available in either French or English. IP: Logged |
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allentownboy Posts: 67 |
posted 02-18-2009 04:49 PM
FWG - again thanks for the info! That site you mentioned was new to me. A great resource to be certain... Within the silver collecting books, do most of them really just focus on mark identification, or are there books that give company history? I really have interest in learning what I can about maker's histories (both European & American - with concentration on France right now). Perhaps these things don't exist however, simply maker identification only. IP: Logged |
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jersey Posts: 1203 |
posted 02-18-2009 04:59 PM
Hi & Welcome allentownboy! I have a book that is called French Silver 1450-1825 by Frank Davis published in 1970. If you think that it may be of interest to you might do a used book search for it. Have a great day! Jersey IP: Logged |
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allentownboy Posts: 67 |
posted 02-18-2009 09:17 PM
Hi Jersey!, Thanks for the heads up on that book. I found a few online for sale and am going to order a copy tomorrow. [This message has been edited by allentownboy (edited 02-20-2009).] IP: Logged |
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nutmegr Posts: 58 |
posted 02-19-2009 09:42 AM
Hello Allentownboy! I realize you were looking for information on French marks, but you also expressed an interest in American silver makers and history. The most basic and helpful book I can recommend is Dorothy Rainwater's Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers. It is readily available and quite a comprehensive resource for most American makers from the mid 19th century onwards. (It doesn't cover the older coin silver period.) It is an alphabetical listing of maker's marks, and gives a brief history of each company. I recommend the 4th edition, there is a newer edition available but it seems less comprehensive. If you search on this site, there is a listing of recommended books for beginning silver collectors, you might find it helpful. ------------- IP: Logged |
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allentownboy Posts: 67 |
posted 02-19-2009 11:31 AM
Hi, and thanks for the suggestion regarding rainwater's book. I just ordered it yesterday online (not certain what edition though!) and am looking forward to getting it. I have been going through the site and learning about several books to purchase, and this has been helpful. I now have a list of about 14 books going....my wallet is going to hurt shortly! IP: Logged |
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Richard Kurtzman Moderator Posts: 768 |
posted 02-19-2009 11:56 AM
"A Guide To Old French Plate", by Louis Carre. IP: Logged |
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Kayvee Posts: 204 |
posted 02-19-2009 07:33 PM
If you want more information about French flatware makers, you might try David Allan's 2007 book, French Silver Cutlery of the XIXth Century which has a synopsis about approximately 100 makers of the flatware in his collection. This book has been reviewed in both Silver Magazine and the Journal of the Silver Society of Canada. In-depth information about French flatware makers will require research in trade publications such as the Almanach Azur. IP: Logged |
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allentownboy Posts: 67 |
posted 02-19-2009 09:15 PM
Richard, thanks for the heads up on the recommended book. I just found it online and got a killer deal on it. I look forward to getting it. IP: Logged |
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silverhunter Posts: 704 |
posted 02-20-2009 04:57 AM
About Christofle dans Paris et beaucoupe de succes! Salu de Silverhunter de Hollande.(Pays Bas). Thanks a lot Silverhunter. IP: Logged |
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allentownboy Posts: 67 |
posted 02-20-2009 01:23 PM
Kayvee, I will try to locate a copy of the Allen book as well. Some suggestions here have been easy to locate and I have already gone ahead and ordered them; others, not so much. It may test the very limits of my search engine powers to track them down!! Merci silverhunter! J'apprécie la suggestion et chercherai une copie du catalogue. J'espère qui sera plus facile de trouver que quelques autres livres ! Christofle est un autre fabricant que je souhaite me rassembler. IP: Logged |
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ellabee Posts: 306 |
posted 02-20-2009 02:08 PM
Welcome, allentownboy! You've probably found it already, but for the benefit of future new members: A thread on recommended books for beginners is The SSF Library Project needs your help!!, from this time of year in 2006, in the General Silver Forum. Threads in the New Members sections with more on the topic are Re: The SSF Library Project needs your help!! and books. That last thread contains a link to an incredibly helpful post by Scott that points to many, many other threads where specific books are recommended or discussed. Your enthusiasm comes through the intertubes! Reading is a sound investment, but acquiring all the books you might be interested in can run into serious money. See what inter-library loan can do for you when you either can't find or can't afford a particular reference. Have fun! IP: Logged |
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allentownboy Posts: 67 |
posted 02-20-2009 02:21 PM
Thanks ellabee! I did locate that thread only yesterday evening. There is such a wealth of info here that I am still sifting through all of it. I'm certain that I will continue to find things to answer my questions throughout the coming weeks and months. I know I'll be doing well when I can actually offer my own pieces of info to help others, not just asking questions... I have just in the last few days ordered 9 books (my bank account is crying foul!!) and am going to start with those. Otherwise, I will overwhelm myself and create a brain-fry. It is time that I start really learning the "whos, whats and whys", and stop buying just because it catches my eye and appeals to my aesthetic sense. Though I suppose there is nothing wrong with that either! [This message has been edited by allentownboy (edited 02-20-2009).] IP: Logged |
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silverhunter Posts: 704 |
posted 02-21-2009 10:21 AM
Allantownboy, Perhaps there is to find at a list of books which moderator Dale is offering at the topic/department "for sale" if it's possible after reading the guidelines knowing how you can/will react at books offered from the side of moderator Dale. Perhaps Scott Martin can give further information or Kimo moderator of this topic department. Perhaps it's also possible to place the titles, where you're looking for at the same topic/department and other members will sell? Success! IP: Logged |
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allentownboy Posts: 67 |
posted 02-21-2009 10:45 AM
Silverhunter, I actually have downloaded from the internet 11 different books in PDF format for free (public domain titles) which contain some extremely interesting information. All of them were published around the turn of the 20th century, and are by such people as Henry Veitch, Christopher Markham, William Chaffers, and Wilfred Cripps. Having them in digital format is very convenient, and I plan to look for more reference material today. IP: Logged |
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