posted 10-11-2003 10:21 PM            

This Forum will include discussions of silver made in Great Britain and other portions of the historical British Empire; it will include Old Sheffield Plate, but will exclude electroplated silver, which will continue to be included in the Silverplate Forum. Following are some explanations of the included categories:

English silver: That made in England proper.

British silver: That made in Great Britain (England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland), along with the Dominions (self-governing former possessions) and colonies that made up the former British Empire.

Provincial silver: That made in Great Britain or Ireland outside of the major silver producing centers with Guild Halls that applied true hallmarks to silver assayed there. Provincial marks do not follow the legally proscribed hallmarking system.

Colonial silver: That made in the colonies, protectorates, and territories of the former British Empire and present Commonwealth of Nations. The duration of the colonial period will vary from place to place, according to the individual historical situation.

Irish silver: That made in what is now the Irish Republic.

Old Sheffield Plate: Handmade silver made of a layer of solid silver fused to copper, largely during the second half of the 18th Century. Other than the preparation of the material itself, methods of workmanship used in production were similar to those used for Sterling. Replaced by electroplate by the early 19th Century.

Postings in the other Silver Salon Forums that fall within the purview of this forum will be moved here.

posted 10-12-2003 01:07 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by swarter:

Colonial silver: That made in the colonies, protectorates, and territories of the former British Empire and present Commonwealth of Nations. The duration of the colonial period will vary from place to place, according to the individual historical situation.

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I know you realize that this would include the early American silverworkers. I would hope, for clarity to newcomers, that you don't include American silver, even from the early colonies, as included in this category. JMO of course.

posted 10-12-2003 02:22 PM            

Of course, American silver is not included, as there is already a dedicated forum for that purpose. An earlier draft of these guidelines had statements dealing with exclusions as well as inclusions, but it was dropped, as there was a concern that too much information could be confusing and might discourage newcomers, and that the experienced participants would know without being told. Since American marks are difficult for nonspecialists, the General forum will always receive many of those questions, which then can be redirected if and when necessary.

posted 10-12-2003 07:46 PM            

Go to the topic, copy the url (internet link) from the browser's address bar at the top of your screen, and paste it into an email. Send it to me (swarter@smpub.com) and we will see that it is moved.