Simply flick through the book, looking at the top of the tables of marks to remind yourself if you forget. Although there are many books on the market which can be used to help read hallmarks, the standard book of reference, used by dealers and collectors world wide is bradburys book of hallmarks. The prime purpose of these marks is to show that the metal of the item upon which they are stamped is of a certain level of purity. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Silver hallmarks or markings identifications to know the purity of silver.
View hallmarks fact sheet for a quick rundown of company information. Hallmarks and date letters on silver, gold and platinum by eric bruton from robert hale ltd out of print try used books. The ambition of this website is to create a complete reference guide of swedish hallmarks from late 1600s to c 1930s. The little book of mexican silver trade and hallmarks. Despite this, it is a mistake to discount all foreign silver just because of your lack of knowledge, because in many cases foreign silver can have a very high silver content as well as holding great artistic or antique value. Scandinavian silver jewelry marks vary with the country.
How to read english british sterling silver marks the uk system of hallmarks from the end of the 12th century the craft of silversmith has been regulated in conformity with royal ordinances and acts of the parliament. Most silver and goldsmiths making bespoke pieces will still opt to use the date letter, however for mass produced silver items it saves the importers money to leave it off. Hallmarks are one of the most important factors in identifying antique silver jewelry, flatware, and other items. English, scottish, irish silver and gold marks from 0 to. As one reader noted about the 2006 edition of the little book of mexican silver trade and hallmarks i cant imagine the time that took to research the material. Silver reference books encyclopedia of silver marks, hallmarks. Romance novels with silver in the title score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. The hallmarking of english silver is based on a combination of marks that allow the. Dec 1, 2016 how to read hallmarks a guide to reading hallmarks on british silver i. For estate jewelers and jewelry historians, hallmarks provide for an extra source of information to accurately date a jewelry object and determine by whom it was made.
Discovering hallmarks on english silver shire discovering. The historic image of the leopards head, the town mark for london, and the mark of the goldsmiths company assay office, continues to be internationally recognised as the stamp of approval and guarantee of quality from the renowned home of hallmarking. Fortunately, with the use of a single reference book, it is possible for even a complete novice to decipher the vast majority. I like it because it is small in size, packed full of information, including great history and easy to understand. Scotland had its own slightly peculiar system of marking silver, so if the marks on your scottish silver are baffling you then hopefully you can use this guide to. Click on the title and the ebook will open in a new window. A british hallmark means that the article has been independently tested and guarantees that it conforms to all legal standards of purity fineness. International hallmarks on silver collected by tardy by tardy and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. How to read english hallmarks antique pocket watch. The below list of silver reference books are out of print and past the authors publication rights. These world hallmark books provide more insight about precious metal hallmarks from 19th to 21st centuries and from more countries around the world than any other publication available today. In 2005, poland was ratified as a member of the convention on the control and marking of articles of precious metals the hallmarking convention. The bradburys book of hallmarks 2011 by sheffield assay. The vast majority of english, scottish and irish silver produced in the last 500 years is stamped with either four or five symbols, known as hallmarks.
This book not only tabulates the hallmarks that enable the identification of silver items but also traces the history of english silver, describing some famous makers and providing hints on spotting fakes. It was edward i 12727 who first passed a statute requiring all silver to be of sterling standard a purity of 925 parts per thousand ushering in a testing or assay system that has survived for over 700 years. In england the craft was regulated by the guild of goldsmiths at london and in ireland by the guild of dublin. If this is a hard cover, the dust jacket may be missing. British silver hallmarks were first introduced in 27. A book that has been read, but is in good condition. Click and collect from your local waterstones or get free uk delivery on orders over. With 500 of the more important makers marks from 16971900 dealer guides judith banister, judith banister on. These small stamped symbols on the back or underside of silver items can tell you the purity of the silver, the manufacturer of the piece, and sometimes even the date it was made. The metal is tested and marked at special offices, regulated by the government, known as assay offices. I am constantly adding new, and trying to improve the quality of the photos. This set of marks combines the circle gi mark with georg jensen mark from 19151930.
After this date, it was an offence to sell any precious metal without the appropriate hallmarks. A guide to marks of origin on english, scottish and irish silver, gold and platinum and on foreign imported silver and gold plate 1544 to 2010 revised edition by frederick bradbury isbn. Norwegian and danish silver marks usually include a purity mark and a makers mark. The sites main focus is the silver markings used on vintage and antique sterling and coin silver, for those of you interested in silverplate trademarks, we have now added a large section.
When you first start out you will need a good reference pocket book, but you can start by learning all the town or city marks first, then as you become more confident, move on to the other marks. There is also a separate section on old sheffield plate, as well as. English silver hallmarks by judith banister waterstones. Buyers of antique silver products made in the uk should therefore notice several different hallmarks stamped into the surface of the pieces they are buying. There are over 17000 images all conveniently catalogued in categories to make your research even. To determine who made our sterling chocolate pot, where and when it was made, we first have to decipher the hallmarks on the bottom of the piece. Sep 30, 2004 english silver hallmarks by judith banister, 9780572029999, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. In other countries 800, 835 and 900 parts per thousand are used.
I had a great time discussing hallmarks and my new book, the 4th edition of native american and southwestern silver hallmarks, with mark sublette at his wonderful shop. Dealer guidesenglish silver hallmarksincluding the marks o. Antique silver flatware was made in sterling silver or was silver plated, which is an application of a thin layer of silver on a base metal. The majority of pages are undamaged with some creasing or tearing, and pencil underlining of text, but this is minimal. Discovering hallmarks on english silver by john bly and a great selection of related books. A silver object that is to be sold commercially is, in most countries, stamped with one or more. I havent used any other hallmark books, but this one has seems to have it all. These marks are usually not in close proximity as shown in the. This is a page of a small collection of antique silver and objects of vertu, a pages richly illustrated website offering all you need to know about antique silver, sterling silver, silverplate, sheffield plate, electroplate silver, silverware, flatware, tea services and tea complements, marks and hallmarks, articles, books, auction catalogs, famous silversmiths tiffany, gorham, jensen. This mark tells you which assay office tested and hallmarked the article. A typical set of antique british silver hallmarks showing left to right. It is easy to see then that identifying silver items and dating them isnt quite as difficult as it would first seem.
Silver hallmarks use only the parts per thousand scale, there is no equivalent carat measure. Hallmarks of german silver of 20th century from 1888 a small. Amazing this app has been incredibly useful in identifying silver hallmarks for my vintage jewelry business smithwestalandvc this is the ultimate guide to recognize the marks that identify any piece of valuable metal silver, gold etc. Mar 22, 2018 you can find a list of the common town marks, date letters, and other hallmarks online or in a number of different guide books. They were purchased by me in pdf format and are given away here freely but for personal use and not for further publication please.
Discovering hallmarks on english silver shire discovering bly, john on. You dont need to memorise these marks because they are in bradburys book of hallmarks. Import marks from 1999 following a ruling of the european court of justice the uk is required to accept national hallmarks of member states who provide an equivalent guarantee. A guide to marks of origin on english, scottish and irish silver, gold, platinum, palladium and on foreign imported silver and gold plate 1544 to 2018 diamond jubilee edition 19522012, old sheffield plate makers marks 1743 to 1860 paperback. Discovering hallmarks on english silver by bly john abebooks. Prior to 1975 the date letter varied for every office. Covering gold, silver, platinum, and palladium hallmarks, these books document hallmarking countries from around the world. Wyler 19111990 was born and raised in new york, and was the owner of an antiques store specializing in english silver and porcelain. Redman 1893, illustrated hand book of hall marks and dateletters from 1509 to 1920 on ecclesiastical and domestic plate. English, american, foreign new impression by wyler, seymour b. Buy english silver hallmarks by judith banister from waterstones today. This is a non profit project, which started in aug 2015.
Lapada guide to reading british silver hallmarks lapada. Buy english silver hallmarks dealer guides illustrated edition by judith banister, judith banister isbn. Because its stamped sterling, its most likely made after going to the sterling silver standard, dating the piece between 1927 and we buy and sell vintage georg jensen silver pieces, including various flatware patterns, hollowware pieces, jewelry, and other items. I went to england and bought several silver pieces and used this book after the fact to find out its history. The little book of mexican silver trade and hallmarks book. Buy english silver hallmarks online from the works. Since gold, silver, and branded jewelry are highly soughtafter, encountering fake jewelry is always a risk that collectors need to keep in mind. The marks also indicate where the object was made and in what year. The vast majority of french silver found today was made after 1838 and will bear only two marks. Silver hallmarks are small markings stamped onto silverware to certify that a piece is sterling silver, or 92. Simple really, but absolutely essential for beginners and very, very useful for dealers. The big problem with buying foreign silver is that even if there is a hallmark system, you are unlikely to be familiar with it. Wyler traveled extensively in his work and was the author of the book of old sheffield plate.
Hallmarks are small markings stamped on gold, silver and platinum articles. Discovering hallmarks on english silver by john bly this book not only tabulates the hallmarks that enable the identification of silver items but also traces the history of english silver, describing some famous makers and provides hints on spotting fakes. Discovering hallmarks on english silver by john bly and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Visit now to browse our huge range of products at great prices. Other formations of these hallmarks bespoke or feature marks are available. The aim of this web site is to provide an aid in the identification of british and irish silversmiths from their makers or sponsors marks. The right example the small guarantee mark boars head and makers mark. The book of old silver, english american foreign, with all available hallmarks including sheffield plate marks. Discovering hallmarks on english silver shire discovering john bly on. Prior to the lotus, a cat in profile was used on silver from 19161945. The quality of the original pictures varies greatly and i have been obliged to use some pictures which are not as good as i would like. British silver hallmarks are made up of five parts, each one making it easier to determine its authenticity and value. These cost extra to apply due to the time to plot the hallmarks, and mark the article. English, scottish, irish silver and gold marks from 0 to the present day reprint by ian pickford isbn.
Hallmarking are marks required by law placed on the silver to indicate the maker, date, place of manufacture andor purity of the silver. This is a fabulous reference book for easily finding the silversmith, and when the person was in operation. Below are links to a number of classic silver reference books with full text and illustrations. The little book of mexican silver trade and hallmarks by. A guide to marks of origin on english, scottish and irish silver, gold and platinum and on foreign imported silver and frederick bradbury on. The guide to investing in gold and silver is a virtual gold mine of information about precious metals investing.
Swedish silver marks are similar to british silver marks, as they also have town marks and dateletter marks. If youre purchasing jewelry online, always ask for clear pictures of the jewelry marks from the seller to ensure the authenticity of a piece. The bulk of the book is devoted to assay office marks, organized by citytown, and makers marks. Identification hallmarking research guides at state. The center hallmark shows the lotus flower, which egypt uses as their country hallmark struck only on silver items from 1946 to date. German hallmarks encyclopedia of silver marks, hallmarks. The most encountered hallmark on jewelry is undoubtedly the purity mark which indicates the total amount of gold or silver used to manufacture a coveted jewel. You can find a list of the common town marks, date letters, and other hallmarks online or in a number of different guide books. British sterling english hallmarks, irish hallmarks.
How to read antique silver hallmarks on flatware our. Mark on a silver cover of a prayers book dated 1910. The directory of german silver and silverplate makers marks. Hallmarks and date letters on gold and silver by bruton, eric and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Use these marks to easily identify whether silver is sterling, pure or fine. Hallmarks on period jewelry antique jewelry university. Sweden uses one dateletter chart, which makes things a bit easier. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. British hallmarks silverplate marks flatware patterns library articles on silver reference ebooks website bibliography resources silver marks forum. How to read hallmarks a guide to reading hallmarks on. Icons online encyclopedia of silver marks, hallmarks.
If youre going to deal in silver, youll need to become familiar with them. A practical guide to collecting silverware and identifying hallmarks by joel langford from chartwell house out of print try used books. Dating english hallmarks on silver and gold the big world. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. His latest book, native american and southwestern silver hallmarks is portable, comprehensive, user friendly, fully crossreferenced and. Makers mark this particular set of marks tells us that this item was made of sterling, in the city of london, in the year 1789, during the reign of king george iii, and by the silversmith thomas wallis. Then click on the appropriate link below to go to the tables of date letters. In the book, maloney details the history of economic cycles, flat currency and the shortsighted decisions governments make that cause flat currencies to lose value over time. Birmingham silver marks, marks and hallmarks of british silver, including date letters chart and symbols of assay offices of other towns as london, sheffield, dublin, edinburgh, chester, glasgow. Knowing the history of silver flatware and other items can be very helpful for reading hallmarks.
272 97 1371 945 1366 524 821 377 924 597 1147 50 171 1397 38 950 752 1106 1355 857 188 1348 73 1520 597 1166 1197 949 1359 1214 334 335 1335 202 654 1386 1264 831 1009 1305