reed_and_barton

Reed & Barton – An influential and significant silversmith in the 19th & 20th century

Reed and Barton was a famous silversmith that has had a substantial impact on the silver industry in the 19th and 20th century. The company opened its doors in 1824 when Henry G. Reed and his business partner Charles E. Barton purchased the failing company owned by Isaac Babbitt. This company, Babbitt & Crossman, produced Britannia ware using a material similar to pewter. They later moved into dealing with gold and, eventually, silver. However, their company in Taunton, Massachusetts, was slowly losing money, so the two sold it to Reed and Barton.

reed_and_barton

Early Success in the 1800s

By the end of the 1840s, Reed and Barton silver patterns were fairly popular, and the company had gained a reputation as a plated-silverware business. During the next decade, the company ended up selling a number of unplated items, including trays, bowls, and pitchers, to another company. This company, Rogers Bros., actually put its own hallmark on many of these items. Determining if these items were actually produced by Reed and Barton remains difficult. On the other hand, Reed and Barton actually purchased spoons, forks, and knives from Rogers Bros. around the same time and placed the Reed and Barton silver marks on them, meaning that some Reed and Barton items were only plated by the company.

Reed and Barton supplied the Union soldiers with weapons during the Civil War. Following that, they mainly focused on making silverplated napkin rings. These rings were often shaped like figures. Once sterling silver prices rose during the late 1880s, the company began manufacturing sterling silver pitchers, trays, goblets, flatware, and other items. By the end of the century, the company had used their profits to modernize their factory so they could mass produce their items.

The 1900s

During the 1900s, Reed Barton silver continued to be incredibly popular. The company hired a publicist to assist in promoting their brand. They opened a store in New York City, began making trophies, and took on commissions from the United States Navy. Some notable items Reed and Barton were responsible for include the silver used on the USS Arizona, the metals for the Summer Olympic games held in Atlanta, Georgia, and a number of famous flatware patterns. The 87 silver pieces created for the USS Arizona were actually removed before the ship sunk at Pearl Harbor and can now be seen at the Arizona Capitol Museum.

These flatware patterns are still highly sought after today and have influenced the market. The 1895 Pointed Antique pattern, which was actually based on a unique pattern Paul Revere designed, is still popular. Other popular flatware patterns include Love Disarmed, Francis First, and Georgian Rose Guildhall. Many of these patterns are fairly traditional, but Reed and Barton did release some more modern options such as the 1958 Diamond pattern.

Bankruptcy

The 2000s saw Reed and Barton slowly losing revenue, and in February of 2015, the company filed for bankruptcy. Following an auction in April of that year, most of the assets held by the company were purchased by The Lenox Company, one of Reed and Barton’s competitors.

christofile silver marks

How to Spot the Most Valuable Christofle Silver Marks?

We all know that silver is one of the sophisticated and expensive metals. Owing to the craftsmanship and beautiful designs, silver items hold a special place in people’s residences. Silver not only holds a great value, but also it has a touch of sophistication. In the earlier days, people used to collect antique silver pieces to elevate the appearance of their homes. In the present days, it has been a trend of using silverwares for daily use and in special occasions as well. Are you fond of using silver items? Do you use Christofle silver items?

The Christofle silver items mark a touch of elegance. It is one of the pricey silverwares which you might have saved it for special occasions. Do the Christofle silver items have Christofle sterling silver marks? Christofle introduced high-quality silver items which will exude luxury and will also be affordable to you. Before you use the Christofle silverwares and other silver accessories for your home, you should be ascertaining that you are using authentic Christofle silver pieces. We are the trusted dealer of antique silver items in Florida. We will help you know how to spot the authentic Christofle silver with the help of Christofle silver marks.

christofile silver marks

Identify the Silver Pieces by Way of Christofle sterling silver marks

Christofle is one of the prominent silver designers who has designed innovative silver flatware pieces, crystal vases, silver picture frames, hollowware and porcelain dinnerware. The silver items of Christofle have been highly appreciated worldwide. How will the buyers know that they are using silver items of Christofle? In order to mark authenticity in the silver pieces, Christofle silver marks have been used. You will come to know you are using original silver pieces of Christofle when you will see the Christofle sterling silver marks in the silver pieces. In the following lines, you will get an idea on how to read silver hallmarks.

How to Read Silver Hallmarks?

Using silverware of Christofle is a matter of pride. While purchasing Christofle silverware, you should make sure that you are purchasing original products of Christofle. By reading the silver hallmarks, you will be able to make the difference between authentic and fake silverware. If you are thinking how to read silver hallmarks, then you should glance through the lines mentioned below.

Charles Christofle has used various types of markings on his silverware pieces since the early 1800s. People have come across many types of Christofle silver marks which kept changing with the passage of time. If you had used the silverware of the past years, then you might have noticed ‘GC’or ‘CC’ mark along with a scale in the middle portion. As years passed by, the word ‘Gallia’ was inscribed on the silver pieces. The Christofle sterling silver marks contain a number such as ‘925’ which is embossed on the piece of every silverware. The number implies that 92.5% silver has been used in the Christofle silver items. If you see ‘800’ on a silver piece, then you should know that the silverware is a plated piece instead of sterling silver.

Next time when you purchase Christofle silver items, you will keep the hallmark signs in mind as you know now how to read silver hallmarks. Use the best designed and original silver pieces which have Christofle silver marks from us.

Sterling Silver

What Exactly is Sterling Silver? How to Identify Sterling Silver Quality?

Sterling silver is a popular metal alloy used in the making of jewelry. It combines silver with other metals, such as copper, making it more wear and tear-resistant. The metal composition must have at least 92.5% silver to be classified as sterling silver. There are various methods for identifying authentic sterling silver, including the white cloth test, nitric acid test, magnet test, smell test, and hidden marking test. Sterling silver is hypoallergenic, durable, customizable, timeless, and affordable, making it an excellent choice for creating jewelry and other items. Regular cleaning and proper care are necessary to maintain its beauty and value. So, Sterling Silver is an economical and sturdy metal alloy perfect for making jewelry.

The Composition of Sterling Silver

Like gold, silver is delicate and soft in its purest form. Unfortunately, it doesn’t make it a durable material. To make it more useful, pure silver is usually mixed with metal alloys like copper to improve strength and durability. When pure silver is combined with less than 7.5% alloy, it is referred to as sterling silver. Sterling silver will contain at least 92.5% silver.

Sterling Silver

Identifying Sterling Silver

If you have a piece of silver jewelry or silverware and want to know if it’s made of sterling silver, you can take a few steps to test it.

  • The white cloth test. Use a soft white cloth to rub down your item gently. If there are black marks on the fabric when you pull it away, this is a good sign that the material is sterling silver.
  • The nitric acid test. Adding drops of nitric acid to real sterling silver won’t have any effect, but the same can’t be said about non-silver metals. When added to other options, nitric acid will lose color.
  • The magnet test. It is a fairly straightforward test, as magnets don’t affect silver. Holding a magnet up to the silver piece and finding that the item is attracted to the magnet should be a clear sign that you don’t have a sterling silver object.
  • The smell test. Take a whiff of the silver item. Does it smell something metallic? That means you’ve got something other than sterling silver, as too much copper is present. Sterling silver should not have a smell.
  • The hidden marking test. Genuine sterling silver – especially jewelry – will have an unnoticeable marking on it stating “Sterling Silver,” “925,” or “Ster.” If you don’t see any of these markings, you should be careful about whether or not you have the real thing.

Sterling silver doesn’t come cheap and requires a considerable investment, regardless of whether you are buying a silver antique or pendant. Fortunately, it is a worthwhile investment, as the piece’s value will increase with time.

Cleaning Your Sterling Silver

There are many metals out there that are tarnish-resistant, but unfortunately, sterling silver isn’t one of them. If you have a silver piece you don’t wear or use often, a tarnish can build up on the surface. Regular polishing using a silver cleaning is a simple and effective solution, and it is important to clean off the tarnish before it can build. Otherwise, you may end up damaging sterling silver pieces long-term.

You can save time, money, and hassle by purchasing sterling silver jewelry or antiques from a reputable dealer. This way, you can ensure that you are making a sound investment.

The Benefits of Sterling Silver

Sterling silver is a versatile and attractive metal with many benefits, making it an ideal choice for jewelry and other items. Some of the advantages of sterling silver include:

  • It is hypoallergenic. Unlike other metals that can cause allergic reactions, sterling silver is safe for most people. It does not contain nickel, a common allergen for many people.
  • It is durable. Sterling silver can last for a long time if properly cared for. It is resistant to wear and tear and can be easily repaired if damaged.
  • It is easy to customize. Sterling silver can be molded into various shapes and designs, making it perfect for creating unique and personalized pieces. It can also be engraved, stamped, or embellished with gemstones.
  • It is timeless. Sterling silver has a classic and elegant appeal that never goes out of style. It can complement any outfit and occasion and be mixed and matched with other metals and accessories.
  • It is affordable. Compared to other precious metals such as gold and platinum, sterling silver is much more affordable and accessible. It offers a high-quality and luxurious look without breaking the bank.

Sterling silver is a beautiful metal that can improve appearance and express personality. Whether you are looking for a simple ring, a statement necklace, or a stunning bracelet, you can find a sterling silver piece that suits your taste and budget.

925-silver-mark

Identifying Sterling Silver Patterns 101

If you have a set of antique sterling silverware, you might be wondering what the pattern is or if what you have is actually an authentic set of sterling flatware. The first thing you’ll want to do is look for the Sterling name on the silverware. In most cases, you’ll find the word sterling on the back of each piece’s handle. In some cases, your silver may have a different identifying logo that is used to mark sterling pieces.

Antique Marking

Is There a Manufacturer’s Mark?

Next, you’ll want to determine which of the sterling silver patterns you have. There are a good number of these patterns. It can help if you can find the manufacturer’s identifying mark. This is often also located on the handle, although this may be a company logo and not a name. You can look online to find a catalog of the different sterling manufacturers and their related logos. Finding this logo is the easiest way of identifying your sterling silver patterns.

Antique Mark

Determine the Pattern

Once you’ve learned which manufacturer created your antique sterling silverware, you can determine the pattern. Again, the internet is a great resource for this. There are websites devoted to cataloging all of the different antique silverware markings out there, and these sites often include detailed images of the various patterns. All you need to do is look at the images available and see which one matches your silverware.

925 Silver

Tips for Silver Patterns Identification

If you’re having difficulty determining which silver pattern you have, here are a few additional tips that can help you narrow it down.

  • Polish your silverware if you’re having difficulty determining the manufacturer’s mark. Sometimes cleaning it can make it easier to identify.
  • Look for “925” or another number. This identifies how much of the piece is made from  bsterling.
  • Sometimes looking for antique silverware markings that show your flatware set is not sterling silver is just as helpful as looking for sterling marks. If you see “IS” or “A1” on your silverware, it indicates that the piece is silver-plated, not sterling silver.
  • There are some companies that provide silver patterns identification services. You take a clear picture of your silverware pattern and email or fax it to them. Their experts then help you determine the pattern.
  • Remember that some manufacturers changed their company marks over time, especially when a company was bought out or merged with another. If the mark you find doesn’t quite match the image you see online, continue your search into that manufacturer to see if they used a different mark at some point.
repousse sterling silver Baltimore Repousse silver items

Repousse Sterling Silver

Have you ever wondered how some antique silver pieces can contain such detailed and extravagant designs? It is through a metal working process known as Repousse /rəˌpo͞oˈsā/. It is a French word that means “pushed back” and it relates to the labor intensive way the metal must be carefully manipulated by a skilled silversmith. It is a combination of skilled technique that dates back for thousands of years, but some of the top master metalsmiths have left a Repousse legacy.

Baltimore Repousse

In fact, repousse is such a large and distinctive aspect of antique sterling silver in American history that it is commonly referred to as Baltimore Repousse. Baltimore, MD became known as a hotbed of aspiring and highly skilled silversmiths that manufacturing firms settled down there. As more and more of the repousse sterling silver patterns emerged from these talented firms, some of the most well-known makers today got their start in Baltimore during the mid-19th century emergence of this praised metal working technique.

Baltimore Repousse silver items

Baltimore repousse was an expensive luxury reserved for the rapidly emerging wealthy class. It replaced most of the colonial style 925 silver on the tables of debutante balls and dinner parties, also French traditions. Most repousse sterling silver pieces were hand hammered, embossed and even gently pressed from the reverse side, but some, like flatware, were made using a press mold. However, the antique silver markings would be stamped onto each valuable piece. Identifying those markings today can help an antique silver dealer valuate your piece.

The Who’s Who in Repousse Silver

Some of the most valuable pieces today bear the markings of names like:
Tiffany & Co
Jenkins and Jenkins
Schofield Company
Stieff Silver Company
And Samuel Kirk, the silversmith who is credited the most with bringing repousse sterling silver to Baltimore.

Stieff and Kirk later merged while some of the silver manufacturing firms were handed down to sons and merged with other partners in the 20th century. The Baltimore firms are no longer operational today. Steiff and Kirk were eventually bought up by the famous Walter Scott Lenox of which we know as the American company today; Lenox.

jenkins and jenkins silver stamp

Tiffany Repousse silver is some of the most valuable on the market today. A single spoon can bring hundreds of dollars. Stieff Repousse sterling silver is also highly sought after by collectors. If you have a piece of silver, or a set, hollowware or flatware, it is important to know what you have. Just because it may have an intricate design doesn’t mean it is worth top dollar. Even some of the famous names in silver made silver plated pieces.

Taking your pieces to a professional will allow you to have your crafted piece of history evaluated and assessed. Antique silver buyers will be able to tell you, based on the markings, who made your piece of repousse sterling silver, when it was made, if it is sterling silver or silver plated as well as the town it was assayed in. All of these factors play a vital role in determining the value to you and the value to collectors should you decide to have your piece formally appraised for estate purposes or to sell at auction.

 

Silver Markings

Where can I Look For the Silver Markings to Determine the Value

Nowadays, silver’s applications in the world are beyond measure. But silver is not an inexhaustible resource. In recent years, mines have been unable to meet the current demand. To keep pace with the constant fluctuations of the supply and demand of the silver market, ‘old’ silver gets melted down and are used again.

This ‘old’ silver is known as scrap metal but doesn’t necessarily equate to worthless. Markings on antique silver dictate its value. You may be asking where can I look mine up and what do they mean?

Determining your Silver Markings Value

stamp on a common vase

Some antique silver marks make the pieces or sets invaluable to collectors. Some of the most highly sought after markings are rare in nature and can bring thousands to tens of thousands of dollars at an auction. Other markings may be more common, with less of a demand in the collector’s world.

However, the demand for scrap silver may be higher and bring a higher payout. Here are the three main applications of silver in today’s global economy that influences the demand and value of scrap silver pieces:

1. Industry

Silver is used in many ways due to its unique properties of being durable, lustrous and conductor as well as corrosion resistant. It is commonly used in batteries, automobiles, switch panels, elevator buttons, traffic controls on railways, radiography, coins, bars, jewelries and more to improve operations and make human’s living much easier and smoother.

2. Investments

Silver is added to many portfolios as a way to diversify investments and capitalize on its enduring value as a precious metal. It can be invested in many ways, including tangible bullion, medallions and coins you can keep with you or by enrolling in accumulation plans based on stock values or trust accounts. When appraised by an expert will prove to be a valuable asset as an investment.

3. Jewelry and Décor

Jewelries and décor items has been produced with silvery metal and will continue to produce in coming generations. Craftsmanship is elegantly displayed and easy to showcase. It is also used in fine photography, your home’s insulation and even solar panel cells to reduce the carbon footprint of our generation. Jewels and decoration items are also the making of money through markings on silver objects.

As you can see, determining your silver markings value depends on a multitude of factors, not just the value established by a collector. Although that can be the most important one to keep in mind.

Where Can I Find Silver Markings?

stamp on a spoon

Markings are mostly found on the underside or back side of the pieces so as to preserve the aesthetic quality of the craftsmanship. They may be found at the base of sculptures and candelabras or the handles of spoons and the back of platters. Coins may or may not have markings. Some are stamped with marks to denote sterling, but fraudulent markings are common with coins.

What do Silver Markings Mean & How to Know the Meaning?

The truth is that there are over 12,000 different silver markings, they all tell unique historical details. Professional appraisers will be able to tell you what they mean and what value they hold. Having your piece inspected will help you to determine the worth of your silver piece according to the market and what it is worth to you personally.

Wm. Rogers Silver Plate

How to Identify a Wm. Rogers Silver Plate? History of William Rogers?

Who was William Hazen Rogers? He lived from 1801 to 1873, he was a well-known and widely regarded American silversmith and watchmaker. He was extremely prolific and had a long career that encompassed several different company names. He partnered with his brothers and other silversmiths during his lifetime. Together with his brothers and, later on, his son, he was responsible for the creation of hundreds of Wm Rogers silver patterns for silver, silver-plated cutlery, and serving dishes. His company and trademarks were eventually taken over by larger companies. This can make it challenging to identify his work. In this article, we will take a look at how to identify a Wm. Rogers silver plate.

wm rogers silversmith

History of William Rogers’ Career and Companies

William Rogers began by apprenticing with Joseph Church, a silversmith, and watchmaker, from 1820 to 1825. They became partners in 1825. Their company, Church & Rogers, manufactured silver-plate flatware and hollowware. From 1832 to 1838 he was partners with his brother, Asa Rogers, in the firm, A. Rogers Jr. and Co. The partnership expanded to include their brother Simeon from 1847 to 1853 as Rogers Brothers. From 1857 to 1861, and again from 1896 to 1873, he partnered with his son, William Henry Rogers, under the company name William Rogers & Son.

Starting in 1862, portions of the Rogers brothers’ enterprises were taken over by the Meriden Britannia Co., which, in 1898, became part of the newly formed International Silver Co.. Rogers and his brothers were associated with Meriden Britannia Co. until his death. From 1865 to 1869 he partnered with William Henry Rogers, William Henry Watrous, Thomas Birch, and William J. Pierce under the company name William Rogers Manufacturing Co. Clearly, he had a significant impact on American sterling silver marks over such a long career with so many companies.

We would not be interested in making an offer and recommend donating it or selling it in a yard sale.

Wm Rogers Silver Marks

One of the fastest and easiest ways to determine if a piece of silver was crafted or designed by William Rogers is to look for Wm Rogers silver marks. American sterling silver markings contain the mark of the manufacturer or silversmith. It indicates the purity of the silver and sometimes identifies the maker and date of manufacture. As detailed in the above paragraph, William Rogers was associated with a number of company names during different years. When you are looking at the sterling silver marks on a piece (or pieces) of silver look for one of the company names (ie. William Rogers & Son) and see if there is also a corresponding year. That will give you an idea of whether William Rogers was behind the design and manufacture of the piece.

Wm Rogers Silver Patterns

Rogers was a true artist who created hundreds of silver patterns. We have previously discussed his silver marks. They are a good place to start. Obviously, if you have a silver mark that belongs to him (or at least one of his companies) on a piece it makes it more likely that the pattern of the piece was designed by him. Keep in mind the years he was alive and creating as well. The year a piece was manufactured should raise the likelihood that he designed the silver pattern. In addition, there are guides that are helpful to silverplate pattern identification. “Silverplated Flatware- An Identification and Value Guide” by Tere Hagan is a particularly good tool for identifying Wm Rogers Silver Patterns. It is a comprehensive guide to historic silver patterns from a number of silversmiths and companies. William Rogers left behind a remarkable legacy as a silversmith and there is still a lot of interest in his work.

Sterling flatware

Christofle Sterling Silver Marks & A History of Christofle Sterling Silver Marks

Christofle is a French manufacturer of fine silver flatware and other home accessories. The company was founded in 1830 when Charles Christofle, then a popular jeweler, expanded his line to include silver picture frames, porcelain dinnerware, crystal vases, and hollowware. A variety of designers and artists helped to create Christofle’s pieces, included famed Parisian silversmith Antoine Perrin, Jean Cocteau, and Gio Ponti, among others.

Like most prominent silver designers, Christofle wanted a way for his customers to identify his pieces and their authenticity. To do this, he placed a hallmark on each of his products through the use of a complex stamping process. These hallmarks are created to identify authentic silver at purchase, and they are intended to be easily seen by the user.

Sterling flatware

A History of Christofle Sterling Silver Marks

Charles Christofle was the first person to introduce French-made electroplated silver to the world. His pride over this accomplishment led him to mark his items to properly identify his work, and this mark has varied over time. Early marks included the initials “G” and “C” along with a scale in the center. Later marks include the word “Gallia” for the Christofle Gallia silver range above a cockerel. Many pieces are also stamped with “Christofle” next to the maker’s mark.

Silver Marks Since 1976

At the International Hallmark Convention in 1976, changes were made to silver marks that would be accepted in the United States, England and the rest of Europe. To identify an item as sterling silver, most manufacturers adopted the standard silver mark of 925. This indicates that the silver content of a piece is 92.5% – the mandatory amount for an item to claim to be sterling.

If you have a piece that you believe to be an authentic Christofle but it doesn’t contain the 925 stamp – or any other silver hallmark – you should be leery of both its silver content and its overall authenticity. While there are other tests that can help you determine if the item is actual sterling or is simply sterling plated, an antique dealer might be your best option to determine if you are really in possession of a Christofle antique.

925-silver-mark

Have Your Silver Examined By a Florida Silver Buyer

Do you believe that you might have a silver Christofle piece, but you’re not sure if it is authentic? The experienced Florida silver buyers at Antique Silver Buyers can help. Not only do we have experience identifying the hallmarks of Christofle items, but we can also tell you exactly how much your piece – or collection – might be worth. With a comprehensive market analysis, we’ll give you an idea about how much your antique would sell for at an auction. We’ll even purchase them (at a bid just below our market analysis) if you are interested in selling.

Sterling Silver Marking

Silver Appraisal: Know the Current Market Value of Your Silver

If you have silver, it is important that you know exactly what it is worth. This is especially important if you are contemplating selling the item. There are silver flatware collectors that will buy your item if you are willing to sell but you need to establish the true value of what you have.

First, know the type of silver you have

Sterling silver flatware are made of real silver unlike silverplate that are metals coated with silver to look like the main thing. Your first step is to establish that the item you have is sterling silver. In the United States, for instance, every silver created after 1850 is stamped with one of these three marks:

  • Sterling
  • .925
  • 925/1000

Unless the silver was made before 1850, you will see one of these stamps. If you find the stamp, you are a step closer to knowing the current value of your silver.

Finding the Value of Antique Silver

Once you are certain you have a real silver, it is time to know your antique flatware worth. An expert will be needed to ascertain the actual worth but you can make some progress on your own.

Antique silver flatware patterns are necessary to get the significant information that can let you determine the current worth of the silver or make an estimation that is close to the actual value. You will also need to find out the manufacturers of the silver. Asides from the sterling stamp, silver items have hallmarks that you can use to know the manufacturer and other important information like the date it was produced.

When you know the pattern and the manufacturer of the silver, you can check the retail price for replacement pieces online; you can also get detailed information about the age and value of your silver from most of these sites.

There are several websites with resources that can help you figure out the current market value of your silver. You can also use antique appraisers and dealers to help you with it but make sure whoever you are dealing with is reputable.

Get your FREE verbal, no obligation appraisal!