posted 10-18-2008 11:50 AM            

Hello

Recently I've bought a cutlery set from a Belgian seller. It's described as "ancienne couverts en argent pl800", and each item is marked PL 800.

Is it silver plated or 800 silver?

Thanks

posted 10-19-2008 05:54 AM            

All the members of the forum are silver buffs - and many very knowledgeable and keen to share their expertise. But in return we like to add to our knowledge by seeing photos of the items being discussed. This also means that a well meant but inaccurate written description does not produce a well meant but wrong reply !

Also the expertise is freely given - but if requested for commercial or personal gain - the view is that this is against policy as most of us would in that case consider it unpaid consultation.

I think the long suffering Scott might perhaps consider moderating his approach so as not to scare people off the site. The view "if all else fails read the instructions" is a common attitude in the current world and although deplorable we live in that world .

posted 10-19-2008 08:42 AM            

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I would appreciate it if SSF members would be the first (before me) to request that forum protocol be followed as it appears in the Yellow Box and in the Guidelines. I am often not at my own PC so when I reply it will generally be brief. I am extremely dyslexic & not a skilled word smith so you will notice that most of my posts are often re-edited more than once.

And when I am at my PC, most of my time for the forums is spent with the behind the scenes technical issues. So until a New Member has taken the time to read & then comply with the requests in the Yellow Box, it would be great if SSF members would not be so quick to answer a New Member's questions. When a SSF member answers the questions without first insisting that the New Member comply with our house's guidelines then my mail box starts to fill with complaints (more work for me) or some SSF members just stop posting. When a general SSF member does reply without first seeing that the New Member has complied with the requests in the Yellow Box then it appears our SSF Guidelines can be ignored.

The Yellow Box and Guidelines are the results of years of listening to members and their issues. Most of the Guidelines and the Yellow Box has been written by our membership and moderators (not just me).

It would be a welcome relief, if the general SSF membership would take on some of the burden and be the first to request, beseech, and to guide a new member.

posted 10-19-2008 11:07 AM            

I think your idea of Members not responding to new entrants questions before any newbies shortcomings are rectified is a good one. Also a standard response, putting forward the points I raised by the member first seeing an offending post would help your workload.

For me it's very important not to frighten off potential new contributors - todays newbie might prove tomorrows answers.

posted 10-19-2008 12:40 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Scott Martin:
Please read the yellow box at the start of this page.

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Hi Scott

I apologize for the inconvenience of my post. It was just a question about a piece of silver (not for personal gain or obtain a non paid survey). I've looked for an answer in many sites and I haven't found any.

I'm not very good posting pictures too!!!

Thanks for your response

Julio

posted 10-19-2008 05:15 PM            

I am a technophobe with an inbuilt ability to screw up anything with microchips in it. Even a cardigan has too many buttons for me .

But even I can post photos onto SMP. I just followed the instructions and it worked first time. It fouled up the second time when I got too cocky but that's life.

posted 10-19-2008 06:03 PM            

Please let us know a bit about yourself and what you like about silver. Now for that Yellow Box stuff. Please read the section on how to take photos and the one showing how to post those photos. If you have trouble just ask as there is always someone quite willing to offer advice/suggestions. Remember 'if at first your do not succeed try, try again'.

posted 10-21-2008 11:53 AM            

First of all I want to say it's a pleasure to find people like you in this forum (I beg your pardon if I do not express properly: English is not my first language).

My interest in the world of silver began by chance, surfing in ebay & the web two months ago. When I found auctions of silver items I discovered that silver collectors were quite different of other collectors. I don't know if it's pride,love or a lot of care in little details..., and it's really difficult to bid for a fine piece of silver!

As you'll have guess I don't know nearly anything about silver, and the items I've purchased (with a lot of mistakes) are my first steps.

My professional activity (medical care) is far away from trade issues. I am Spanish and live in Canary Islands..., and I am grateful for your support.

I'll try to post a picture of the marks (if I'm not able I'll ask for help...).

posted 10-21-2008 01:31 PM            

Some members recognize patterns or can place them in the right period. When it is made in Belgium I can't give you no further details, but like you said (I also) have to learn about all that silver.

Success with the hobby and enjoy your silver.

A moderator is also like a prompter and I think he won't be tired (or is totally burned out?) by the thought that we all had to learn to use this forum,sure by SENDING THAT ........................ PHOTO'S in the right size.

posted 10-22-2008 02:17 PM            

Here is the picture of the engraving of one handle (all the pieces of cutlery have the same). I hope it will help

posted 10-22-2008 05:37 PM            

I do not recognize the "PL" but the 800 is the marking for the purity of the silve used in making this flatware. It means that there are 800 parts of pure silver mixed with 200 parts of other metals (usually copper). This is one of the purity standards seen often in many European countries. The other commonly seen standard is sterling silver which is 925 parts of pure silver with 75 parts other metal (usually copper). Sometimes you find silver in other standards such as 830, 835, 900, or 950.

Hopefully someone will be able to help with the meaning of the PL.

posted 10-22-2008 08:54 PM            

Jersey

posted 10-22-2008 08:59 PM            

I do not know what the PL stands for but the pattern name, in the U.S., for your silver is the Kings pattern. A first discussion on the Kings pattern and a second discussion on the Kings pattern are shown at these threads in the American silver before sterling section.

posted 10-23-2008 05:28 AM            

All spoons had to be decorated with beautiful decorations at the back side.

Is the top end decoration of the spoon called "shelve" decoration?