1896) - the date of registration of the pattern at the Patent Office the style of the object - the presence or absence of the crown (before or after c.
An approximate date can be determined by examining: The absence of an official dating system makes it difficult to date silver plated wares. 1896: Elkington was forced to change its mark in 1898) of stamping plated wares with the "crown", to avoid misunderstanding with the symbol identifying the Sheffield Assay Office. The best-known initiative is the prohibition (effective from c. Old Sheffield Plate and Electroplated silver are not subject to this practice and the regulation issued by the authorities had the main objective of preventing possible frauds by unscrupulous sellers of plated ware. Thanks to the "date letter" any piece of British sterling silver can be exactly dated. WMF, Reed & Barton, Mappin & Webb, Bateman Family),ĭATING MAPPIN & WEBB SILVER PLATE From centuries British silver is protected by the stamping of symbols and letters identifying the maker, the Assay Office and the date in which the quality of the silver piece was verified. Marks and hallmarks, articles, books, auction catalogs,įamous silversmiths (Tiffany, Gorham, Jensen, Elkington, Silverware, flatware, tea services and tea complements, Silverplate, sheffield plate, electroplate silver, Need to know about antique silver, sterling silver, Small Collection of Antique Silver and Objects of vertu,Ī 1000 pages richly illustrated website offering all you MAPPIN & WEBB DATE LETTER MARKS ON SILVER PLATE