Is It Sterling or Not

I am often asked the most basic question of all, "Is there a way to know if the piece I have (or wish to purchase) is sterling silver or silver plate?".

Yes Virginia, there is a way. Sterling silver is comprised of 92.5% silver and 7.7% some other metal. Often you will see the numbers "925" on the back of the piece. This is an indication it is sterling.

Also, you should see the word "Sterling" or the letter "S" or letter "SS" stamped on the back. Usually a sterling silver piece will have one of these marks on it. Beware of "SP", for that indicates Silverplate and therefore is not sterling. Often "Silverplate" or "Silverplated" may be stamped on the back of such a piece.

If all else fails, try a strong magnet. Sterling Silver will not stick to a magnet. If what you have is attracted to the magnet, chances are it is not the real thing.

I hope these tips help. 

I usually carry a small jeweler's loop with me when I go looking for sterling pieces. The markings on the back are very hard to read without some magnification. It also helps to be familiar with the manufactures' markings which can be very confusing because there are so many. Some companies have several markings they have used over the years. There are reference books that will help you with the markings. However, finding a piece in a pattern that you do not recognize and only having the manufacturers markings to go by can be a proverbial needle in a haystack. It helps to be familiar with the markings of the more popular companies so you at least can identify a piece as possibly among one of them and go from there.

My Love by Wallace

Another fairly nondescript pattern by Wallace, My Love was introduced in 1958. I decided to post on some of these patterns because I am sure there are folks out there who have inherited or found pieces in these patterns and had no where to start identifying them, short that they were manufactured by Wallace.

Sugar Spoon (6 1/4 inches)
 

Fruit Knife (7 1/8 inches)


Cheese Knife (7 3/8 inches)

Melanie by Wallace

Amedie J. Germain designed Melanie for Wallace and it was introduced in 1959. The pattern is fairly basic with a design of swirls around the edges of the terminal and a motif on the tip. From what I can find the pattern was discontinued in 1980.

Pierced Tablespoon (8 1/2 inches)


Short Handled Pickle Fork (5 3/4 inches)

Alice by Fessenden

Silas H. Manchester designed Alice for Fessenden in 1895. It is a lovely pattern described as "Dots and Flowers", very befitting for a lady. The detail on the serving pieces is elegant.

Long Handled Olive Spoon (6 3/4 inches)


Master Butter Knife (6 3/4 inches)


Preserve Spoon (7 5/8 inches)


Large Sardine Serving Fork (5 1/2 inches)

Grape by Dominick and Half

Grape was introduced by Dominick and Haff in 1895 and was designed by Gilbert L. Crowell Jr. He also designed the patterns Victoria, Gothic, Basket of Flowers, Cupid, and Rococo for Dominick and Haff. The design speaks for itself.


Teaspoon (6 inches)

Irving aka Old Atlanta by Wallace

In 1899 Wallace introduced their Irving pattern. The pattern was discontinued several years later. However in 1960 Wallace reintroduced the same pattern under the name of Old Atlanta which has since also been discontinued. The design itself is one of scrolls around the edges.


Fork (7 1/2 inches


Roast Carving Fork (11 inches)



Lettuce Serving Spoon (8 1/4 inches)

How Gorham Became One of the Motherships

Over the years Gorham managed to adsorb, purchase, or make many of the smaller silver companies part the Gorham Company. Here is a chart of how they managed to get some familiar companies such as Mt. Vernon, Alvin, Durgin, Knowles, Whiting, and Woods and Hughes just to name a few, under their umbrella. Often after several years of having the smaller companies on board, Gorham would break the dies and casts of the smaller company's designs. The idea being that there was not enough demand for production of so many different patterns. The more popular patterns were kept.

I'll offer my caveat -  The following is best I could do to chart out the flow. It may not be correct. The information is confusing at best coming from different sources. But it gives you an idea of how all the smaller companies ending up merging.  

Saint George by Wallace

Wallace's Saint George pattern has much more to it than Reed and Barton's Saint George pattern. Wallace's pattern dates back to 1890. The ornate  design is etched into the pieces and includes a griffon among other details.

Oyster Ladle (10 1/4 inches)


Fork (7 1/8 inches)

La France by Dominick and Haff

La France, a pattern by Dominick and Haff dates back to 1916. 


Fork (7 5/8 inches)


Flat Handle Butter Knife (5 1/2 inches)


Pastry Server (8 1/4 inches)

Imperial by Dominick and Haff

Another pattern by  Gilbert L. Crowell Jr., Imperial was introduced by Dominick and Haff in 1909. Other patterns designed by Crowell include:  Victoria, Gothic, Basket of Flowers, Cupid, Rococo and Grape. 



Bon Bon Spoon (4 1/2 inches)