Silver Plate Vase

Q: I’d like to know who made this vase and what its value is. It’s been passed down in the family, though I don’t know how much of the information is true. My mother’s great aunt received a dozen long stem roses in it on her wedding night. I’ve been told it’s circa 1898 and is pewter. There is an embossed design on the handle and on the top of the vase. It’s about 8 3/8 inches high, not counting the handle, and about 15 inches to the top of the handle. The handle swings back and forth and is not in a fixed upright position. It has this mark on the bottom with the initials “EPNS” on the shield and “L” and “B” below that.

A: Your vase, or flower basket, is silver plate, not pewter. It was made by Lehman Brothers Silverware Corp. of New York City. The company made silverplated hollowware. The initials “EPNS” stand for “electroplated on nickel silver.” A thin layer of silver is plated onto the base metal (an alloy of copper, zinc, and nickel) using an electric current. The silver can eventually wear off because it’s so thin. You can try using silver polish to see if the dull finish is from tarnish. If the silver is worn off, it can be replated but might not be worth the cost. In perfect condition, with the silver intact, it might be worth $50. In worn condition, it would be much less but still has sentimental value.

Ellmore Silver

Q: Can you tell me who used this silver mark? It says “Handchased, Champlain, Sterling” and pictures a lion standing on a shield with the initial “E” inside.

 

A: This mark was used by Ellmore Silver Co., a company in business in Meriden, Connecticut, from about 1935 to 1960. The company made flatware, hollowware, and novelties. It took over the Frank M. Whiting Co. and Concord Silversmiths about 1939 and the Amston Silver Co. about 1940. Whiting and Amston both made pieces in the Champlain pattern. Amston introduced Champlain flatware about 1915. Whiting made Champlain flatware and hollowware.

 

E.G. Webster Silver

Q: I have a footed silver platter with grapevine border that has two sets of marks on it and some numbers. The top row of marks includes something that looks like a flower, crown, and lion. The second row is a little blurry but looks like a lion, star, and lion. Below that are the numbers “2917/7.” Can you give me any information about the maker?

 

A: This mark was used by E.G. Webster & Son, a company in business in Brooklyn, New York, from 1886 to 1928. Elizur G. Webster started working in New York City about 1859. He worked in various partnerships and under various names in New York and Brooklyn until 1886, when he and his son Fred, formed E.G. Webster & Son. The company became part of International Silver Company in 1928. E.G. Webster became Webster-Wilcox in 1961. The flower-like mark is a fleur-de-lis. Your platter is in poor condition and would have to be replated to use. Its value is low and the cost of replating is high.

 

Silver Web Mark

Q: What does this spider web mark on silver stand for? The letter “W” in a star is in the middle.

A: This spider web mark was used by E.G. Webster & Son of New York City and Brooklyn, New York. Elizur G.Webster started his silver plating business in 1860. The company made hollowware and reproductions of English silver. Webster worked with different partners and under various names. The company became part of International Silver Company in 1928 and moved to Meriden, Connecticut. Webster became Webster-Wilcox in 1961 and was sold to Oneida Silversmiths in 1981.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gotham Silver

Q: I was given a vintage silver over copper meat tray and would like to know its age and origin. I can’t identify the attached stamp anywhere online.

A: Gotham Silver Co. used this mark that features buildings on its electroplated silver over copper. The company was founded in New York City about 1920. Little is known about the company. It filed for bankruptcy about 1948 and was out of business by about 1950.

Crescent Silver Mark

Q: Can you identify this silver mark? It says "Crescent" at the top and there is some kind of strange animal or bird on either side of the letter "C." What company used this mark and when?

A: This mark was used by Crescent Silverware Mfg. Co., Inc., of Port Jervis, New York. The company was founded in New York City in 1922 and moved to Port Jervis in 1939. It made silver-plated hollowware, chrome-plated items and pewter. In 1977, the company was bought by Samuel Kirk & Son.

 

Leneige Spoon

Q: This "spoon" was found among my mother's collectibles and I have no idea of its use or value. I thought maybe it could be an egg holder. It's marked "Leneige" over a crown. Can you help?

A: Your mother's collectible is a spoon rest. It sits on the stovetop or counter and holds spoons or other utensils needed while cooking. Leneige China, Inc., was in business in Burbank, Calif., before 1934. The company made porcelain and earthenware cups and saucers, service plates, tea sets, vases, and other items. The company closed before 1954. The spoon rest would sell for $5-$10.

Tuttle Sliversmiths

Q: I have a silver saltshaker with this mark on the bottom. Can you tell me who made the shaker?

A: The mark on your sterling silver saltshaker was used by Tuttle Silversmiths of Boston. The tree logo represents the pine tree shilling, a coin used during Colonial times, and indicates the high quality of the silver. Timothy Tuttle began working in silver in 1890. His company was bought by R. Wallace & Sons Manufacturing Co. in 1955. It is now part of Lifetime Sterling. Your saltshaker, probably made in the first half of the 20th century, would sell for about $50.

Derby Card Stand

Q: I found this in an antiques store a few years ago. I'm guessing it's a Victorian calling card holder. It's 7 inches high. There are two owls on a curved branch above the tray and a butterfly on a bush below it. Although you can't see it in the picture, there is a bar of music with "Should Owl'd Acquaintance Be Forgot" written beneath it on the tray. The accompanying mark is stamped on the bottom. The silver plating is gone. Can you tell me who made this and what it is worth? Would it devalue it if I have it re-plated?

 

A: Derby Silver Co. of Derby (Birmingham), Conn., used this mark. The company was founded in 1873 and was one of the companies that formed International Silver Co. in 1898. It became part of Meriden Silver Plate Co. in 1933. Henry Berry was granted a patent for the design of your "card receiver" on Feb. 28, 1882, and assigned the patent to the Derby Silver Co. A calling card tray similar to yours, in excellent condition, auctioned for $750 five years ago. But silver plate is selling for less now; with worn plating, yours would sell for a few hundred dollars. It will probably cost you more to re-plate than you will gain in resale value.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meriden Britannia Sugar & Creamer Set

 

Q: I recently received this as a gift. It is engraved around the base, “From Bugle Band” and “205th C.E.F. 24.10:16.” The mark on the bottom says, “Made and plated by The Meriden Britannia Silver Plate Co.” What can you tell me about it and how do I clean it?

A: You have a silver-plated sugar and creamer set made by the Meriden Britannia Co. of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The company was founded in 1879. It became part of International Silver Co. in 1924. Your sugar and creamer were originally a gift from the Bugle Band of the 205th Canadian Expeditionary Force that fought in “The Great War,” World War I (1914-1918). The numbers may also commemorate something that happened on a particular date, possibly Oct. 24, 1916. The initials “EPWM” in the mark indicate that your set is electroplated white metal. Unless the plating is worn off, you should be able to clean it with any commercial silver polish.