posted on October 5, 2003 09:40:06 AM new
I sure hope one of you can help, as I am a total dunce on silver markings!
I have a piece of Gorham silver, and it is marked on the back ""Gorham E (Anchor Symbol) YC53". That is all it has. I have searched on Google and can't find anything - does this mean it's silverplate and not sterling?
Thank you!!
"Be kind. Remember everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." - Harry Thompson
"I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it." - A Few Good Men
posted on October 5, 2003 01:35:38 PM new
If you post a picture of the pattern, I can look it up in my silverplate book. I am assuming that it is plate, since most companys mark sterling on the piece if it is indeed sterling.
There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
posted on October 5, 2003 03:52:00 PM new
max40: Gorham is one of America's oldest, if not THE oldest silver company. It goes back, in fact, to the first half of the 1800s, when coin silver was produced.
Gorham sterling is usually marked "Gorham (pic of lion)(pic of anchor)(pic of Olde English letter G)". This causes no end of confusion amongst neophytes who naively assume those are English silver hallmarks!
Gorham sterling does not always have the word "sterling" on it anywhere.
They have produced silverplate, and that's what wgm's piece sounds like. A piece of Gorham sterling flatware would have most likely the mark as described above, plus a patent date.
Some of the world's most gorgeous and well-loved patterns have been produced by Gorham...Chantilly and Buttercup, just to name a few.
Our motto: Bright and shiny baubles for persons with low impulse control.
posted on October 5, 2003 04:07:51 PM new
thank you, fluffy - about the only thing I did know was that Gorham didn't necessarily mark it "Sterling" - you are right on the mark (as always ).
Actually it's not flatware - it is a note pad holder for a desk-sized memo pad. It's really pretty
The only marking on it is what I originally posted - and I was hoping it was sterling (got it for a song!), but it's missing the other markings you mentioned...oh well, it will look nice on my desk
"Be kind. Remember everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." - Harry Thompson
"I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it." - A Few Good Men
posted on October 5, 2003 05:25:09 PM new
wgm: One of the most gorgeous pieces I've ever found on eBay was an old Gorham sterling card holder. It was much too big for business cards or calling cards, but about the right size (now that I think about it) for cartes de visite.
Sold it because I couldn't think what to do with it, but it was pretty.
Our motto: Bright and shiny baubles for persons with low impulse control.
