AAA Silver Spoon

Q: I’m curious about a spoon I picked up at a garage sale years ago. It has what appears to be the AAA (American Automobile Association) logo on the handle. The spoon is 6 inches long and is marked “International Silver Co.” Was this part of a set or given as a promotion? Can you tell me the age and value of the spoon?

A: This looks like one of the early silver plate patterns made by International Silver Co. of Meriden, Connecticut. It might be the 1912 pattern called “Cromwell.” International Silver Co. started in 1898 when several American silver manufacturers joined together. After several changes, the company became part of Lifetime Brands in 2006. The American Automobile Association was founded in 1902 when nine motor clubs joined together. Your spoon could have been part of a set of flatware used at club functions. Most silver-plated spoons sell for under $10. Spoons with monograms usually sell for less, but the club monogram might appeal to a car enthusiast.

Silver Tea Set

Q: This silver tea service was awarded to my great-grandfather, the county auditor in Hampshire, England, upon his promotion in 1904. There is a coffeepot, teapot, hot water pitcher, sugar, creamer, waste bowl and tray. We also have an album with a description of the occasion and names of those who gave him the tea service. There are marks on the bottom of one of the pieces. Several years ago an appraiser told us the tea service weighs a total of 230 troy ounces. Who made this tea set and what is it worth today?

A: The initials “G & S Co” over “Ld” in the trefoil are the maker’s mark used by the Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. Ltd. beginning in 1898. The company was founded by William Gibson and John Lawrence Langman in 1880. It merged with Garrard & Co. in 1952. The lion passant mark is for sterling silver (.925). The next mark, called the leopard’s head, is the town mark for London. The lower case letter “h” is the date-letter mark for the year 1903-04. The silver meltdown price is the lowest amount you should ask for the set. Your set is currently worth over $3,000 in silver, about $5,000 as a set. The provenance you have adds value and should stay with the tea service.

Middletown Silver Company

Q: I found this silver trivet at a yard sale. It's about 10 1/4 inches in diameter when closed and 14 1/4 inches long when extended. There are three stamped hallmarks with crowns over the letters "M," "S" and "C." It's also marked "silver deposit on nickel silver." Can you tell me who made it and the value?

A: The three letter marks were used by Middletown Silver Co. of Middletown, Conn., on nickel silver. Nickel silver doesn't actually contain any silver. It looks like silver, but it's actually an alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc. But the "silver deposit" mark means that your trivet was also plated with silver. Middletown Silver Co. was in business from 1899 until about 1945, when it merged with J.A. Otterbein Co. Expandable trivets like yours sell for about $20.