Q: I inherited a silver hand mirror that belonged to my grandmother. The back of the mirror and handle are decorated with repousse (raised) flowers and leaves. It’s marked “Sterling 4000” and “R. Wallace & Sons.” What is it worth?
A: R. Wallace & Sons was in business from 1871 until 1956, when it became Wallace Silversmiths. The company made silver plate and sterling silver. It became R. Wallace & Sons Manufacturing Co. in 1871. It made silver pieces for several other companies and didn’t mark them with the Wallace name until 1897. Hand mirrors with silver backs and handles were very popular around the turn of the 20th century. Your sterling silver mirror is worth $250 to $350.