Walker & Hall Silver

 Q: I found this knife with my Mother’s stuff. The handle seems to be ivory. Is that unusual? It’s marked “W & H S m A1” and with the letters “W & H” in a pennant. Who made this knife?

A: This knife with a pointed tip and blade that is wider at one end is a fish knife. Fish knives were often part of a fish set that included a matching fork. Ivory was often used on handles because silver retains heat and silver handles get hot. Ivory acts as an insulator and keeps the handles cool enough to touch. This mark was used by Walker & Hall of Sheffield, England. It operated under that name from 1853 to 1920, when “Ltd.” was added to the name. The letter “S” stands for Sheffield and the lower case letter “m” is a date letter mark. Lower case date letters were used from about 1885 to about 1905. The mark “A1” indicates it’s of superior quality and includes more grams of silver per ounce than “standard” quality silver plate. Value, about $25.

 

Silver Pen Box

Q: I bought this silver box at a coin show for $50. It's 8 inches long. The marks show it was made by George Nathan and Ridley Hayes in 1899 and assayed in Chester, England. What was it used for or what did it hold? What is its value as an antique?

A: We're impressed that you were able to decipher the marks. For those who wonder how you did it, the initials "G.N.R.H." stand for George Nathan and Ridley Hayes, the lion is the silver quality mark, the shield with sword and three sheaves of wheat is the Chester town mark, and the letter "Q" is the date letter for 1899. You have a silver pen box. One like yours sold in the U.K. recently for $464.

Hawksworth Eyre Mark

Q: Recently I bought this oval silver lid. When I unscrewed the handle section and removed it, I found some marks on the bottom: the initials “H,” “E,” “Co,” and “E P.” Can you tell me what they mean and when the piece was made? Possible value?

A: Your silver lid was made between 1853 and the early 1930s. It probably came with a dish that fit under it. Silver entree dishes with reversible lids were popular in Victorian times. When the handle is removed, the lid can be turned upside down and used as another serving dish. The mark was used by Hawksworth, Eyre & Co. of Sheffield, England, a company founded by Charles Hawksworth and John Eyre in 1833. Their partnership dissolved in 1869, but the business continued under new owners. It became Hawksworth, Eyre & Co., Ltd., in the 1870s. The initials “EP” stand for electroplate. Hawksworth, Eyre & Co. made electroplated silver beginning in 1853. The company was liquidated in the early 1930s. Your silver-plated lid, missing its matching dish, is worth very little. Collectors want a useful covered dish.

Fish Serving Set

Q: These old silver serving pieces are in their original leather box with rounded corners and satin lining. The lining has a crest on it and the words, "By Her Majesty's Special Warrant, Mappin Brothers, 220 Regent Street, 65 Cheapside, London." I'd like to know what these utensils were used for, how old they are, something about the company that made them, and what they're worth.

 

A: You have a fish set consisting of a fish slice and fork. They were popular during Victorian times, when elegant table settings included many unusual silver serving pieces. Mappin Brothers was formed in 1846 with the merger of two cutlery manufacturers, Joseph Mappin & Co. and William Sansom & Sons. Mappin Brothers made electroplated silver from about 1865 to 1902. It became part of Mappin & Webb in 1902. That company is still in business in London, where it sells fine jewelry. Your silver-plated fish set is worth $150-$200. The box adds additional value.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thomas Shaw Snuffbox

Q: This small silver box belonged to my mother-in-law's family. It is 3 inches long, 1 5/8 inches wide and just 1/2 inch high. The outside of the case is monogrammed "GBT." There are two sets of impressed marks inside. The lid is marked with a head in profile, the initials "TS," and a lion. The bottom is marked with an anchor, the initials "TS," and a lowercase letter "q." Can you tell me what this box was used for, who made it, and when it was made?

A: Your silver box is probably a snuffbox. It was made by Thomas Shaw, a silversmith who was working in Birmingham, England, in the early 1800s. The anchor mark is the symbol for the city of Birmingham. The lowercase "q" is the date letter for 1814-15. The king's head in profile on the inside of the lid indicates that a duty has been paid to the crown. The lion passant (lion walking) indicates the piece meets the English standard for sterling silver, 925/1000. Your snuffbox was probably made for a man, since the case is plain. Boxes with fancier cases bring higher prices. Value of your snuffbox: about $200.