APPENDIXTOCHAPTER I

APPENDIXTOCHAPTER IThe following Tables are intended to be of practical use to the student of Old Silver, and they are arranged in a convenient form for reference.I.Tables showing Date Letters used at the London Assay Office from 1598 to 1835 (pages 351-355).II.Table showingDifferences of Shieldsin Hall Marks, Standard Marks, and Date Marks of London Assay Office, from the Accession of Queen Elizabeth to the present day (page 357).III.Series of Examples showing Types of Marks found on authentic specimens of Old Silver assayed in London during the above period (pages 359-385).IV.Series of Examples from Silver assayed at Exeter, Chester, Norwich, York, Newcastle, Birmingham, and Sheffield (pages 387-399).Scottish and Irish Marks are also given (pages 401-409).ITABLES SHOWINGDATE LETTERSUsed at London Assay Office.1598-1835IITABLE SHOWINGDIFFERENCES IN SHIELDSIn London Hall Marks,Standard Marks and Date Marks,From Elizabeth to George VTABLE of London Assay Office Annual Date Letters.1598-1617.1618-1637.[5]1638-1657.1658-1677.The shape of the shields used is shown inTable II.[5]These and subsequent alphabets follow entries in the minutes of the Goldsmiths’ Company, and were verified from pieces of plate by Mr. Octavius Morgan. (Seep. 38.)TABLE of London Assay Office Annual Date Letters.1678-1696.1696-1715.1716-1735.1736-1755.The shape of the shields used is shown inTable II.†These letters have been verified by me from pieces of old silver.—A. H.TABLE of London Assay Office Annual Date Letters.1756-1775.1776-1795.1796-1815.1816-1835.The shape of the shields used is shown inTable II.IITABLE showing DIFFERENCES IN SHIELDS in London Hall-Marks, Standard Marks, and Date Marks from Queen Elizabeth to George V.*This Foreign Mark was only used from 1876 to 1904. For subsequent Foreign Marks seep. 63.IIIEXAMPLES SHOWINGTYPES OF MARKS[7]Found on Authentic SpecimensOf Old Silver Assayed in LondonFrom the Reign of ElizabethTo the Present DayIIILONDON MARKSA to V1558 to 1577(Twenty letters are used, omitting J.)The earlier letters of this alphabet were impressed with a stamp following the outline of the shape of the letter. Later a shield was used. The type of this date letter is Black Letter Small. Similar type was used from 1678 to 1696, and the shields are the same shape. This type was again used in the reign of Victoria from 1856 to 1875, but the shield is different.A to V1578 to 1597(Twenty letters are used, omitting J; and the U is of the same form as the V, which was followed in succeeding alphabets till the year 1735.)Roman Capital Letters are used at this period. The lion and leopard’s head are in a stamp following the outline, a practice which continued till 1678. From 1716 to 1735, in the reign of George I, a similar alphabet was used with shields of the same shape; but the first four years have the figure of Britannia and lion’s head erased, the Higher Standard Mark. In 1720 the lion and leopard’s head with a new shape of shield clearly indicate the difference.A to V1598 to 1617Lombardic Capitals are used in this alphabet. The peculiarities in this series are the letter A with its crossbar (1598), the letter C (1600), which is a D reversed, and the letter G (1604).a to v1618 to 1637The letters used are Small Italic. The shields are slightly longer and pointed at bottom. The noticeable letters puzzling to beginners areb(1619), similar toh(1625),l(1628), ands(1635). Thel(1628) is similar to thes(1753).LONDON MARKS156415781606Beaker(illustratedp. 121).1631 Maker, William Shute.1637Candlestick(illustratedp. 223).LONDON MARKSTHE COURT HAND ALPHABET1638 to 1657CHARLES I. AND COMMONWEALTHThe next alphabet used at the London Assay Office for annual date letters is of a peculiar type known as the Court Hand. Most of the letters are of a character which has not survived in modern usage and they are of a form dissimilar to any other. This Court Hand was employed from the year 1638 to 1657, that is during the latter half of the reign of Charles I and during the Commonwealth up to 1657.This series of characters was again used from 1696 to 1715, that is to say during six years of the reign of William III, the whole of the reign of Queen Anne, and for the first two years of George I.Two very important periods are thus covered by these two Court Hand alphabets. It should not be difficult to avoid confusing the one period with the other, as there are other factors which determine which is the latter series. The leopard’s head and the lion are, from 1697 to 1720, replaced by the figure of Britannia and the lion’s head erased.The illustration of both series of Court Hand letters on pages351and353will enable readers to identify them more readily.The examples illustrated onpage 365are, in conjunction with the maker’s mark, the leopard’s head, and the lion passant, for the period 1638 to 1657.A comparison may be made with the later Court Hand characters, where examples will be found illustrated onpage 373.a to u1638 to 1657Among the difficulties presented by this Court Hand, the following letters are likely to give trouble in identification owing to their similarity in shape, which becomes more pronounced when the letters are worn and the details slightly obliterated. Thea(1638) may be mistaken for thei(1646); theb(1639) is not unlike the letterh(1645); and thek(1647) resembles the letterb(1639), which with its peculiar form, when worn, is only distinguishable by the bar across the centre. A worn letterd(1641) is apt to resemble ans(1655).In examining the letters under a glass, care should be taken to see that they are not upside down, as in some instances they often resemble others. The shape of the shield is usually clearly enough defined to show the pointed base.Although these letters are so extremely puzzling, especially to beginners, it should be borne in mind in comparison with the similar Court Hand alphabet which was used later from 1696 to 1715, that the date marks are only confirmatory. In the later series there is the difference in the omission of the lion passant and the leopard’s head, replaced by the figure of Britannia and the lion’s head erased. But the character of the silver itself tells its own story in cases where date marks and standard marks happen to be wholly obliterated. A piece of Queen Anne plate differs so essentially in style from a piece of Charles I or Cromwellian that it should be impossible to fall into any error in mistaking the one for the other.LONDON MARKS1638Salt Cellar(illustratedp. 151).16401648Apostle Spoon(illustratedp. 185).1653Porringer(illustratedp. 197).1654LONDON MARKS1658 to 1696CHARLES II, JAMES II, WILLIAM AND MARYThis period covers the late Stuart silver—Charles II, James II, and the major portion of the reign of William III.The period represents a renaissance in the styles, and there is a noticeable rejuvenance in the specimens still preserved. For example, see candlesticks illustrated (page 227).But it must be remembered that during the Charles I period in the days of the Civil War much of the silver was melted down to enable the king to use it in striking the coins of the realm.Similarly in the reign of William III the old silver was called in by the Royal Mint to be melted down to convert into coin of the realm, for reasons which we have explained elsewhere. On account of the depredations of the coin-clippers much of the fine old silver of the reigns of Charles II and James II was destroyed. In consequence, the silver of the reigns of Charles I, Charles II, and James II is of considerable rarity.With the opening of the eighteenth century, or, to be exact, from 1697 to 1720, the Higher Standard was obligatory, and with this departure, and the fashions of Queen Anne, a new period of silver is entered. Collectors are divided into schools according to their predilections. To one, nothing later than Elizabeth offers any interest. To another, early Stuart silver affords charms which no later period can supplant. Again, to others the Queen Anne period is the be-all and end-all of their ambitions in collecting.A to U1658 to 1677In this alphabet the peculiarities are the letters C (1660) and E (1662), which are only distinguishable from each other by the cross-bar to the letter E. The letter G is an exceptional form (1664), and is shown on theopposite page. O (1671) is also an unusual form. Letters T (1676) and L (1668) are somewhat similar in form, and may easily be mistaken for each other in worn examples.The letter H (1665) is illustrated as the mark on a wine-cup (page 129).a to t1678 to 1696In the year 1679 an oblong shield was used for the lion, as shown onpage 357. This mark is taken from the Sumner Salt in the Mercers’ Company Hall, illustratedpage 155. The letter E is found on a Snuffers and Tray, illustratedpage 231, and the letter F on a Porringer (1683), illustratedpage 205. The letter H (1685) is shown on theopposite page.In regard to this alphabet great changes were in the air (see Higher Standard Mark, pages49-59), and this alphabet comes to an end with the lettert, and no later date letter thantwas employed. But from March to May in 1697 the letteraof the Court Hand alphabet was used, and from May 1697 to May 1698 the Court Hand letterbwas used (seesucceeding alphabet).This is the only occasion when the London Assay Office departed from the regular employment of twenty letters, from A to U, excluding the letter J.LONDON MARKS1660Cup(illustratedp. 75).1664167516851692Other Marks illustrated are1665(p. 129),1669(p. 197),1682(p. 231),1683(p. 205).LONDON MARKS1697 to 1715WILLIAM III (1697-1702), QUEEN ANNE (1702-1714)During this period there were some important Acts of Parliament which relate to Silver Plate and determine certain changes which are interesting to collectors.In 1696-7, by 8 and 9 William III,cap.8, the standard of silver plate was raised higher than that of the coinage, to stop the practice of melting down the coin of the realm and converting it into plate. From the 25th of March, 1697, the new standard became compulsory, and any silver plate made less than ·959, that is, 959 parts of pure silver in every thousand, was illegal. The marks of the maker were to be the first two letters of hissurname, and the lion passant and the leopard’s head were to be discontinued. The new standard silver was to be stamped with the figure of Britannia in place of the former mark, and the lion’s head erased in place of the latter.In 1700, under 12 William III,cap.4, Chester, York, Exeter, Bristol, and Norwich were reappointed Assay Towns with the right to stamp silver.It was enacted that the new standard should be observed; that the maker’s mark, the variable date letter (“Roman”), the arms of the city, the lion’s head erased, and the figure of Britannia be stamped on the silver.In 1702, 1 Anne,cap.3, a similar power was conferred on Newcastle-on-Tyne.a to v1697 to 1715This alphabet presents a difficulty at the outset. The letterawas only used from March to May 1697, and from thence to May 1698 the letterbwas used. An example is illustrated onpage 217of this latter period. The maker, John Bodington, signs the first two letters of his surname below a bishop’s mitre.The lettercis illustrated from a mark on a cupping-bowl, 1698, and should be compared—as should all the letters in this Court Hand alphabet—with the letterc(1640) in the series 1638 to 1657.The letterc(1698) andq(1711) are shownopposite. The maker’s initials,Ke, stand for William Keith.The letterd(1699) is given elsewhere (page 353).The letterf(1701) is the mark on a sugar-caster illustrated (page 269). The maker, Christopher Canner, stamps the first two letters of his surname.The letteri(1704) is unlike any modern i, and is from a Monteith illustrated (page 135). The maker, Louis Mettayer, uses the first two letters of his surname.The letterk(1705) is equally unfamiliar. It is from a teapot and stand. The maker, Simon Pantin, signs the first letters of his Christian and surnames. In 1739 this was made compulsory by statute.The letterr(1712) is shown on a caster illustrated (page 269).All the marks onopposite pagedenote the Higher Standard—figure of Britannia and lion’s head erased.LONDON MARKSThe Higher Standard (1697-1720)1698 Maker, William Keith.1705 Maker, Simon Pantin.1707 Maker, Robert Cooper.1709 Maker, Seth Lofthouse.1711 Maker, William Keith.Other Marks illustrated are1697(p. 217),1701(p. 269),1704(p. 135),1712(p. 269).LONDON MARKS1716 to 1778GEORGE I, GEORGE II, and GEORGE III (the first quarter of his reign).In the sixth year of the reign of George I, in 1720, the old silver standard was revived. After 1720 the figure of Britannia and the lion’s head erased disappear from silver. In 1721 the leopard’s head and the lion passant reappear as hall and standard marks, and from this date the provincial offices again took up the assaying of silver.In 1721 the leopard’s head was in a square shield, as shown onpage 357.In 1722 and 1723 the leopard’s head was in a circular shield. In 1724 and 1725 the shield for the leopard’s head was in an escutcheon with a rounded base (see illustration,page 357). From 1726 to 1728 the leopard’s head again is in a circular shield, and this and the previous years, 1722 and 1723, are the only occasions when the circular shield was used.The shapes of the shields of the lion passant during this time are shown in the Table (page 357).From 1729 to 1738 the leopard’s head is in a shield with a pointed base, and the lion is in an oblong shield.From 1739 to 1755 the lion is in a shield which is irregular in shape following the outline. The leopard’s head from 1739 to 1750 is in a shield of elaborate shape, and the whiskers of the leopard are clearly marked in the stamp. From 1751 to 1755 the shield for the leopard’s head changes. These differences can be seen in the Table (page 357).From 1756 to 1775 the leopard’s head has another shield. The lion from 1756 to 1895 (139 years) retains the same shaped shield.A to V1716 to 1735The example given on theopposite pagefor the year 1717 belongs to the Higher Standard period.The mark for 1722 is from a tea-caddy made by Bowles Nash, whose mark is a B with a star.a to u1736 to 1755The example given on theopposite pagefor the year 1753 shows the date letters, and is noticeable as likely to be confused with the letterf1741.A to U1756 to 1775The mark for 1761 on a cake-basket with the maker’s mark, E.R. (Edward Romer) is illustrated (page 291). It will be observed that from this date the initial letters of Christian and surname of makers were now used. This was compulsory in 1739 by 12 of George IIcap.26.For the year 1773 a sugar-bowl is illustrated (page 283). The marks are given on theopposite page. The makers were S. and J. Crespell.LONDON MARKS17171722 Maker, Bowles Nash.1751 Maker, Benjamin Gignac.17531773Sugar-bowl(illustratedp. 283).Other Marks illustrated are1746(p. 251),1761(p. 291).LONDON MARKS1776 to 1835GEORGE III, GEORGE IV (1820-30), WILLIAM IVThe most important feature in regard to marks in this period is the addition of the reigning sovereign’s head, which commenced in 1784. This Duty Mark was continued throughout the reigns of George III, George IV, William IV, and during the reign of Victoria until 1890, when the mark of the sovereign’s head was discontinued on the abolition of the duty on silver.In regard to the collection of silver, it must be admitted that this period embraces decadent styles. The delicacy of the Stuart period with its refinement and grace, and the subsequent reticence of the Queen Anne and early Georgian styles, with their sober though essentially national character, was submerged in the first half of the nineteenth century in the Victorian era. There is an absence of originality and a feeling of dull, insipid, or overloaded ornament in most of the work of this period.Practically with this period, from a collector’s point of view, the subject comes to an end. But there are bright spots now and again visible. There is the classic influence due to the same artistic impulse which directed Wedgwood and the Brothers Adam; but this only extended into the early years of the nineteenth century. The First Empire style came and went in furniture and silver, and only fitfully does it appear in design later than 1830.a to u1776 to 1795In this period the most noticeable difference in the marks is the addition of the head of George III, in 1784, when the Duty Act was passed (24 George III).A to U1796 to 1815Three examples are given from this period, 1798, 1808, and 1810; the last set of marks is taken from a silver-gilt salt with Pompeian style of ornament made by Rundell, Bridge and Rundell. This is illustrated onpage 173.a to u1816 to 1835In 1821 the head of George IV replaced that of his father, and from 1831 to 1836 the head of William IV was stamped as a Duty Mark.In 1821 the leopard’s head lost its crown, and has so remained since that date. The lion at the same time had the head fuller and in profile, in which style it has continued till the present day.LONDON MARKS1779179818081810Salt Cellar(p. 173).1826LONDON MARKS1836 to 1915VICTORIA (1837-1901), EDWARD VII (1901-10), GEORGE VFrom a collecting point of view there is not much in this last period to invite comparison either in beauty or originality with the best periods of old silver.In order to complete the series of examples herein given a selection of marks has been made covering this period, so that the reader may recognize modern marks, especially when the design of the piece has been copied from some old specimen.The period is important in embracing several protective measures designed to safeguard the public interests and to bring the assay offices under stricter supervision. The Report of the Select Committee of the House of Commons on the Hall-Marking of Gold and Silver Plate, etc., which was issued in 1879, should be carefully studied by those students who wish to master the complexities of hall-marking.In 1876 it was enacted (39 and 40 Vict.cap.35) that all foreign plate, before its sale in England, should be assayed here and bear the letter F in an oval escutcheon. Amended by 4 Edward VII,cap.6, 1904.In regard to forgery of silver plate there is ample provision to bring the offenders to book. By Vict. 7 and 8,cap.22, sections 5 and 6, penalties are provided for those altering and adding to plate, and possessing, selling, or exporting such plate without fresh assay; a fine of £10 can be imposed for each article so found in a person’s possession without lawful excuse.A to U1836 to 1855From 1837 the head of Queen Victoria appears as a Duty Mark, and till 1875 the leopard’s head, still uncrowned, is of a different form (see Table,page 357).a to u1856 to 1875In this period the shape of the shield for the date letter, which had remained the same since 1756, was now for the last time used. Its new shape is shown in the following period.A to U1876 to 1895The shape of the date shield was changed with the letter B in 1877. In 1876, with the letter A, the shield of the leopard’s head was changed, and the face became more feline with whiskers (see Table,page 357). In 1876 another new mark was added, the letter F, in an oval escutcheon, which was compulsory by law to be stamped on all foreign silver assayed at any office in the United Kingdom.In 1890 the sovereign’s head disappears, as the duty on silver was then abolished.a to u1896 to 1915In this last period of all it will be observed that the shields of the date letter and the leopard’s head both change their shapes, and have three lobes.LONDON MARKS1835 Maker, William Eames.1845 Maker, R. Garrard.18731891 Maker, S. C. Harris.1915

The following Tables are intended to be of practical use to the student of Old Silver, and they are arranged in a convenient form for reference.

I.Tables showing Date Letters used at the London Assay Office from 1598 to 1835 (pages 351-355).II.Table showingDifferences of Shieldsin Hall Marks, Standard Marks, and Date Marks of London Assay Office, from the Accession of Queen Elizabeth to the present day (page 357).III.Series of Examples showing Types of Marks found on authentic specimens of Old Silver assayed in London during the above period (pages 359-385).IV.Series of Examples from Silver assayed at Exeter, Chester, Norwich, York, Newcastle, Birmingham, and Sheffield (pages 387-399).Scottish and Irish Marks are also given (pages 401-409).

TABLES SHOWINGDATE LETTERS

Used at London Assay Office.1598-1835

TABLE SHOWINGDIFFERENCES IN SHIELDS

In London Hall Marks,Standard Marks and Date Marks,From Elizabeth to George V

TABLE of London Assay Office Annual Date Letters.

1598-1617.1618-1637.[5]1638-1657.1658-1677.

1598-1617.

1618-1637.[5]

1638-1657.

1658-1677.

The shape of the shields used is shown inTable II.

[5]These and subsequent alphabets follow entries in the minutes of the Goldsmiths’ Company, and were verified from pieces of plate by Mr. Octavius Morgan. (Seep. 38.)

TABLE of London Assay Office Annual Date Letters.

1678-1696.1696-1715.1716-1735.1736-1755.

1678-1696.

1696-1715.

1716-1735.

1736-1755.

The shape of the shields used is shown inTable II.

†These letters have been verified by me from pieces of old silver.—A. H.

TABLE of London Assay Office Annual Date Letters.

1756-1775.1776-1795.1796-1815.1816-1835.

1756-1775.

1776-1795.

1796-1815.

1816-1835.

The shape of the shields used is shown inTable II.

TABLE showing DIFFERENCES IN SHIELDS in London Hall-Marks, Standard Marks, and Date Marks from Queen Elizabeth to George V.

*This Foreign Mark was only used from 1876 to 1904. For subsequent Foreign Marks seep. 63.

III

EXAMPLES SHOWINGTYPES OF MARKS[7]

Found on Authentic SpecimensOf Old Silver Assayed in LondonFrom the Reign of ElizabethTo the Present Day

III

LONDON MARKS

A to V

1558 to 1577

(Twenty letters are used, omitting J.)

The earlier letters of this alphabet were impressed with a stamp following the outline of the shape of the letter. Later a shield was used. The type of this date letter is Black Letter Small. Similar type was used from 1678 to 1696, and the shields are the same shape. This type was again used in the reign of Victoria from 1856 to 1875, but the shield is different.

A to V

1578 to 1597

(Twenty letters are used, omitting J; and the U is of the same form as the V, which was followed in succeeding alphabets till the year 1735.)

Roman Capital Letters are used at this period. The lion and leopard’s head are in a stamp following the outline, a practice which continued till 1678. From 1716 to 1735, in the reign of George I, a similar alphabet was used with shields of the same shape; but the first four years have the figure of Britannia and lion’s head erased, the Higher Standard Mark. In 1720 the lion and leopard’s head with a new shape of shield clearly indicate the difference.

A to V

1598 to 1617

Lombardic Capitals are used in this alphabet. The peculiarities in this series are the letter A with its crossbar (1598), the letter C (1600), which is a D reversed, and the letter G (1604).

a to v

1618 to 1637

The letters used are Small Italic. The shields are slightly longer and pointed at bottom. The noticeable letters puzzling to beginners areb(1619), similar toh(1625),l(1628), ands(1635). Thel(1628) is similar to thes(1753).

LONDON MARKS

1564

1578

1606Beaker(illustratedp. 121).

1631 Maker, William Shute.

1637Candlestick(illustratedp. 223).

LONDON MARKS

THE COURT HAND ALPHABET

1638 to 1657

CHARLES I. AND COMMONWEALTH

The next alphabet used at the London Assay Office for annual date letters is of a peculiar type known as the Court Hand. Most of the letters are of a character which has not survived in modern usage and they are of a form dissimilar to any other. This Court Hand was employed from the year 1638 to 1657, that is during the latter half of the reign of Charles I and during the Commonwealth up to 1657.

This series of characters was again used from 1696 to 1715, that is to say during six years of the reign of William III, the whole of the reign of Queen Anne, and for the first two years of George I.

Two very important periods are thus covered by these two Court Hand alphabets. It should not be difficult to avoid confusing the one period with the other, as there are other factors which determine which is the latter series. The leopard’s head and the lion are, from 1697 to 1720, replaced by the figure of Britannia and the lion’s head erased.

The illustration of both series of Court Hand letters on pages351and353will enable readers to identify them more readily.

The examples illustrated onpage 365are, in conjunction with the maker’s mark, the leopard’s head, and the lion passant, for the period 1638 to 1657.

A comparison may be made with the later Court Hand characters, where examples will be found illustrated onpage 373.

a to u

1638 to 1657

Among the difficulties presented by this Court Hand, the following letters are likely to give trouble in identification owing to their similarity in shape, which becomes more pronounced when the letters are worn and the details slightly obliterated. Thea(1638) may be mistaken for thei(1646); theb(1639) is not unlike the letterh(1645); and thek(1647) resembles the letterb(1639), which with its peculiar form, when worn, is only distinguishable by the bar across the centre. A worn letterd(1641) is apt to resemble ans(1655).

In examining the letters under a glass, care should be taken to see that they are not upside down, as in some instances they often resemble others. The shape of the shield is usually clearly enough defined to show the pointed base.

Although these letters are so extremely puzzling, especially to beginners, it should be borne in mind in comparison with the similar Court Hand alphabet which was used later from 1696 to 1715, that the date marks are only confirmatory. In the later series there is the difference in the omission of the lion passant and the leopard’s head, replaced by the figure of Britannia and the lion’s head erased. But the character of the silver itself tells its own story in cases where date marks and standard marks happen to be wholly obliterated. A piece of Queen Anne plate differs so essentially in style from a piece of Charles I or Cromwellian that it should be impossible to fall into any error in mistaking the one for the other.

LONDON MARKS

1638Salt Cellar(illustratedp. 151).

1640

1648Apostle Spoon(illustratedp. 185).

1653Porringer(illustratedp. 197).

1654

LONDON MARKS

1658 to 1696

CHARLES II, JAMES II, WILLIAM AND MARY

This period covers the late Stuart silver—Charles II, James II, and the major portion of the reign of William III.

The period represents a renaissance in the styles, and there is a noticeable rejuvenance in the specimens still preserved. For example, see candlesticks illustrated (page 227).

But it must be remembered that during the Charles I period in the days of the Civil War much of the silver was melted down to enable the king to use it in striking the coins of the realm.

Similarly in the reign of William III the old silver was called in by the Royal Mint to be melted down to convert into coin of the realm, for reasons which we have explained elsewhere. On account of the depredations of the coin-clippers much of the fine old silver of the reigns of Charles II and James II was destroyed. In consequence, the silver of the reigns of Charles I, Charles II, and James II is of considerable rarity.

With the opening of the eighteenth century, or, to be exact, from 1697 to 1720, the Higher Standard was obligatory, and with this departure, and the fashions of Queen Anne, a new period of silver is entered. Collectors are divided into schools according to their predilections. To one, nothing later than Elizabeth offers any interest. To another, early Stuart silver affords charms which no later period can supplant. Again, to others the Queen Anne period is the be-all and end-all of their ambitions in collecting.

A to U

1658 to 1677

In this alphabet the peculiarities are the letters C (1660) and E (1662), which are only distinguishable from each other by the cross-bar to the letter E. The letter G is an exceptional form (1664), and is shown on theopposite page. O (1671) is also an unusual form. Letters T (1676) and L (1668) are somewhat similar in form, and may easily be mistaken for each other in worn examples.

The letter H (1665) is illustrated as the mark on a wine-cup (page 129).

a to t

1678 to 1696

In the year 1679 an oblong shield was used for the lion, as shown onpage 357. This mark is taken from the Sumner Salt in the Mercers’ Company Hall, illustratedpage 155. The letter E is found on a Snuffers and Tray, illustratedpage 231, and the letter F on a Porringer (1683), illustratedpage 205. The letter H (1685) is shown on theopposite page.

In regard to this alphabet great changes were in the air (see Higher Standard Mark, pages49-59), and this alphabet comes to an end with the lettert, and no later date letter thantwas employed. But from March to May in 1697 the letteraof the Court Hand alphabet was used, and from May 1697 to May 1698 the Court Hand letterbwas used (seesucceeding alphabet).

This is the only occasion when the London Assay Office departed from the regular employment of twenty letters, from A to U, excluding the letter J.

LONDON MARKS

1660Cup(illustratedp. 75).

1664

1675

1685

1692

Other Marks illustrated are1665(p. 129),1669(p. 197),1682(p. 231),1683(p. 205).

LONDON MARKS

1697 to 1715

WILLIAM III (1697-1702), QUEEN ANNE (1702-1714)

During this period there were some important Acts of Parliament which relate to Silver Plate and determine certain changes which are interesting to collectors.

In 1696-7, by 8 and 9 William III,cap.8, the standard of silver plate was raised higher than that of the coinage, to stop the practice of melting down the coin of the realm and converting it into plate. From the 25th of March, 1697, the new standard became compulsory, and any silver plate made less than ·959, that is, 959 parts of pure silver in every thousand, was illegal. The marks of the maker were to be the first two letters of hissurname, and the lion passant and the leopard’s head were to be discontinued. The new standard silver was to be stamped with the figure of Britannia in place of the former mark, and the lion’s head erased in place of the latter.

In 1700, under 12 William III,cap.4, Chester, York, Exeter, Bristol, and Norwich were reappointed Assay Towns with the right to stamp silver.

It was enacted that the new standard should be observed; that the maker’s mark, the variable date letter (“Roman”), the arms of the city, the lion’s head erased, and the figure of Britannia be stamped on the silver.

In 1702, 1 Anne,cap.3, a similar power was conferred on Newcastle-on-Tyne.

a to v

1697 to 1715

This alphabet presents a difficulty at the outset. The letterawas only used from March to May 1697, and from thence to May 1698 the letterbwas used. An example is illustrated onpage 217of this latter period. The maker, John Bodington, signs the first two letters of his surname below a bishop’s mitre.

The lettercis illustrated from a mark on a cupping-bowl, 1698, and should be compared—as should all the letters in this Court Hand alphabet—with the letterc(1640) in the series 1638 to 1657.

The letterc(1698) andq(1711) are shownopposite. The maker’s initials,Ke, stand for William Keith.

The letterd(1699) is given elsewhere (page 353).

The letterf(1701) is the mark on a sugar-caster illustrated (page 269). The maker, Christopher Canner, stamps the first two letters of his surname.

The letteri(1704) is unlike any modern i, and is from a Monteith illustrated (page 135). The maker, Louis Mettayer, uses the first two letters of his surname.

The letterk(1705) is equally unfamiliar. It is from a teapot and stand. The maker, Simon Pantin, signs the first letters of his Christian and surnames. In 1739 this was made compulsory by statute.

The letterr(1712) is shown on a caster illustrated (page 269).

All the marks onopposite pagedenote the Higher Standard—figure of Britannia and lion’s head erased.

LONDON MARKS

The Higher Standard (1697-1720)

1698 Maker, William Keith.

1705 Maker, Simon Pantin.

1707 Maker, Robert Cooper.

1709 Maker, Seth Lofthouse.

1711 Maker, William Keith.

Other Marks illustrated are1697(p. 217),1701(p. 269),1704(p. 135),1712(p. 269).

LONDON MARKS

1716 to 1778

GEORGE I, GEORGE II, and GEORGE III (the first quarter of his reign).

In the sixth year of the reign of George I, in 1720, the old silver standard was revived. After 1720 the figure of Britannia and the lion’s head erased disappear from silver. In 1721 the leopard’s head and the lion passant reappear as hall and standard marks, and from this date the provincial offices again took up the assaying of silver.

In 1721 the leopard’s head was in a square shield, as shown onpage 357.

In 1722 and 1723 the leopard’s head was in a circular shield. In 1724 and 1725 the shield for the leopard’s head was in an escutcheon with a rounded base (see illustration,page 357). From 1726 to 1728 the leopard’s head again is in a circular shield, and this and the previous years, 1722 and 1723, are the only occasions when the circular shield was used.

The shapes of the shields of the lion passant during this time are shown in the Table (page 357).

From 1729 to 1738 the leopard’s head is in a shield with a pointed base, and the lion is in an oblong shield.

From 1739 to 1755 the lion is in a shield which is irregular in shape following the outline. The leopard’s head from 1739 to 1750 is in a shield of elaborate shape, and the whiskers of the leopard are clearly marked in the stamp. From 1751 to 1755 the shield for the leopard’s head changes. These differences can be seen in the Table (page 357).

From 1756 to 1775 the leopard’s head has another shield. The lion from 1756 to 1895 (139 years) retains the same shaped shield.

A to V

1716 to 1735

The example given on theopposite pagefor the year 1717 belongs to the Higher Standard period.

The mark for 1722 is from a tea-caddy made by Bowles Nash, whose mark is a B with a star.

a to u

1736 to 1755

The example given on theopposite pagefor the year 1753 shows the date letters, and is noticeable as likely to be confused with the letterf1741.

A to U

1756 to 1775

The mark for 1761 on a cake-basket with the maker’s mark, E.R. (Edward Romer) is illustrated (page 291). It will be observed that from this date the initial letters of Christian and surname of makers were now used. This was compulsory in 1739 by 12 of George IIcap.26.

For the year 1773 a sugar-bowl is illustrated (page 283). The marks are given on theopposite page. The makers were S. and J. Crespell.

LONDON MARKS

1717

1722 Maker, Bowles Nash.

1751 Maker, Benjamin Gignac.

1753

1773Sugar-bowl(illustratedp. 283).

Other Marks illustrated are1746(p. 251),1761(p. 291).

LONDON MARKS

1776 to 1835

GEORGE III, GEORGE IV (1820-30), WILLIAM IV

The most important feature in regard to marks in this period is the addition of the reigning sovereign’s head, which commenced in 1784. This Duty Mark was continued throughout the reigns of George III, George IV, William IV, and during the reign of Victoria until 1890, when the mark of the sovereign’s head was discontinued on the abolition of the duty on silver.

In regard to the collection of silver, it must be admitted that this period embraces decadent styles. The delicacy of the Stuart period with its refinement and grace, and the subsequent reticence of the Queen Anne and early Georgian styles, with their sober though essentially national character, was submerged in the first half of the nineteenth century in the Victorian era. There is an absence of originality and a feeling of dull, insipid, or overloaded ornament in most of the work of this period.

Practically with this period, from a collector’s point of view, the subject comes to an end. But there are bright spots now and again visible. There is the classic influence due to the same artistic impulse which directed Wedgwood and the Brothers Adam; but this only extended into the early years of the nineteenth century. The First Empire style came and went in furniture and silver, and only fitfully does it appear in design later than 1830.

a to u

1776 to 1795

In this period the most noticeable difference in the marks is the addition of the head of George III, in 1784, when the Duty Act was passed (24 George III).

A to U

1796 to 1815

Three examples are given from this period, 1798, 1808, and 1810; the last set of marks is taken from a silver-gilt salt with Pompeian style of ornament made by Rundell, Bridge and Rundell. This is illustrated onpage 173.

a to u

1816 to 1835

In 1821 the head of George IV replaced that of his father, and from 1831 to 1836 the head of William IV was stamped as a Duty Mark.

In 1821 the leopard’s head lost its crown, and has so remained since that date. The lion at the same time had the head fuller and in profile, in which style it has continued till the present day.

LONDON MARKS

1779

1798

1808

1810Salt Cellar(p. 173).

1826

LONDON MARKS

1836 to 1915

VICTORIA (1837-1901), EDWARD VII (1901-10), GEORGE V

From a collecting point of view there is not much in this last period to invite comparison either in beauty or originality with the best periods of old silver.

In order to complete the series of examples herein given a selection of marks has been made covering this period, so that the reader may recognize modern marks, especially when the design of the piece has been copied from some old specimen.

The period is important in embracing several protective measures designed to safeguard the public interests and to bring the assay offices under stricter supervision. The Report of the Select Committee of the House of Commons on the Hall-Marking of Gold and Silver Plate, etc., which was issued in 1879, should be carefully studied by those students who wish to master the complexities of hall-marking.

In 1876 it was enacted (39 and 40 Vict.cap.35) that all foreign plate, before its sale in England, should be assayed here and bear the letter F in an oval escutcheon. Amended by 4 Edward VII,cap.6, 1904.

In regard to forgery of silver plate there is ample provision to bring the offenders to book. By Vict. 7 and 8,cap.22, sections 5 and 6, penalties are provided for those altering and adding to plate, and possessing, selling, or exporting such plate without fresh assay; a fine of £10 can be imposed for each article so found in a person’s possession without lawful excuse.

A to U

1836 to 1855

From 1837 the head of Queen Victoria appears as a Duty Mark, and till 1875 the leopard’s head, still uncrowned, is of a different form (see Table,page 357).

a to u

1856 to 1875

In this period the shape of the shield for the date letter, which had remained the same since 1756, was now for the last time used. Its new shape is shown in the following period.

A to U

1876 to 1895

The shape of the date shield was changed with the letter B in 1877. In 1876, with the letter A, the shield of the leopard’s head was changed, and the face became more feline with whiskers (see Table,page 357). In 1876 another new mark was added, the letter F, in an oval escutcheon, which was compulsory by law to be stamped on all foreign silver assayed at any office in the United Kingdom.

In 1890 the sovereign’s head disappears, as the duty on silver was then abolished.

a to u

1896 to 1915

In this last period of all it will be observed that the shields of the date letter and the leopard’s head both change their shapes, and have three lobes.

LONDON MARKS

1835 Maker, William Eames.

1845 Maker, R. Garrard.

1873

1891 Maker, S. C. Harris.

1915

IVEXAMPLES OFPROVINCIALMARKSEXETERCHESTERNORWICHYORKNEWCASTLEBIRMINGHAMSHEFFIELDPROVINCIAL MARKSEXETERAlthough the records show that Exeter was among the Assay Offices appointed in 1700 by 12 and 13 William,cap.3 and 4, it is evident that silver was assayed here by the city guild of goldsmiths, as some of the marks found on old silver, indubitably of Exeter origin, belong to the sixteenth century.We are enabled, by the kindness of Mr. J. H. Ellett Lake of Exeter, to give a very representative selection of Exeter marks, and, in addition, to give illustrations of the pieces themselves in this volume.It will be seen that the earlier marks date from 1572, and the X surmounted by a crown was the city or hall-mark up to a period as late as 1640. In the early eighteenth century, subsequent to the Act of William III, the hall-mark becomes a castle with the shield divided by a vertical line.In 1773 a Report was made by a Committee of the House of Commons, who held an inquiry and took evidence as to the manner of conducting the Assay Offices in London, York, Exeter, Bristol, Chester, Norwich, and Newcastle. The Assay Master at Exeter, in describing the method employed at his office, stated that the hall-mark was a castle, and the date letter for 1772 was Z, in Roman character, and that A was to be the letter for the next year, and that the whole alphabet was gone through.But J, apparently, was never used at Exeter, and in later alphabets no letter after U was used, e.g. A to U (1797 to 1816), etc.EXETER MARKSIt is not possible in a volume of this size to give all the date letters of provincial offices, but the following may be of use as indicating the letters used at Exeter:—AtoZ(1701 to 1724)}in pointed shield.atoz(1725 to 1748)AtoZ(1749 to 1772)in square shield.AtoY(1773 to 1796).The letter I was used for two years, 1781 and 1782.AtoU(1797 to 1816)in square shield.atou(1817 to 1836)in square shield with four corners cut off.AtoU(1837 to 1856)dittoditto.AtoU(1857 to 1876)ditto.AtoF(1877 to 1882),when the office closed. Square shield with oval base.In regard to the marks illustrated onopposite pageit will be seen that the Higher Standard Mark was used at Exeter after 1701. Examples are shown, 1706 and 1714. Collectors have sometimes stumbled into the belief that no silver was allowed by law to be assayed at any other office than London during the period 1697 to 1720. But it is only between 1697 and 1701 that the provincial offices were practically closed. From 1701 till 1720 such offices did assay and mark silver plate with the figure of Britannia, and the lion’s head erased.EXETER MARKS1575Chalice(illustratedp. 67).1640Chalice(illustratedp. 71).1706 Maker, John Elston.1714 Maker, Pentecost Symonds.1748Tankard(illustratedp. 117).Other Exeter Marks illustrated are1705(p. 115),1707(p. 209),1728(p. 273),1729(p. 81),1733(p. 117).PROVINCIAL MARKSCHESTER, NORWICH, AND YORKThe old cathedral cities were the centres of art, therefore it is not surprising to find assay offices established there from the earliest times. Besides Exeter, which we have considered, there were assay offices at Chester, Norwich, and York. It is remarkable that no assay office appears to have existed at Canterbury, nor at Salisbury, nor at Winchester.Chester has a long history in connexion with the coinage and with assaying silver. In the sixteenth century there is a record of the assay of silver there, and Charles I struck some of his silver coinage there in 1645 with the mint mark of the three wheatsheaves of the city.Norwich was mentioned as one of the assay towns in 2 Hen. VI,cap.17, in 1423, which honour it shares with York and Newcastle as being of such ancient lineage. The corporation of Norwich possesses several pieces of plate of the Elizabethan period, with the city arms, a lion, and a castle as a hall-mark. A Tudor rose with a crown above is the standard mark. The office ceased early in the eighteenth century.York is another office which is now extinct. At the end of the eighteenth century it was not mentioned among the other assay offices, but in the middle of the nineteenth century it had recommenced but did little business, and no plate seems to have been assayed there since about 1870.TheChesterhall-mark down to 1697 is the city arms, viz. a dagger erect between three sheaves of wheat. In 1701 the mark became three demi-lions with wheatsheaves, when Chester was reappointed as one of the assay offices in the reign of William III. The shield was again changed after 1775 to the older form with the dagger which is still in use at the Chester assay office.We give on theopposite pagean example of the mark in 1775, with the three demi-lions superimposed on the shield with the three wheatsheaves. The later mark, of the year 1800, shows the dagger with the wheatsheaves. It will be observed that these marks have the leopard’s head and the lion passant, the hall-mark and the standard-mark of the London office.The present marks used at the Chester Assay Office, together with the maker’s initials, are the lion passant, the City arms, and the date letter. The letters now in use are Italic capitals commencing withAin 1901. The letter for 1915 isP.An example is given ofNorwichmarks stamped on a tall wine-cup, about 1620, of the James I period. The castle and lion is the hall-mark. A Tudor rose surmounted by a crown is also found on Norwich silver as the standard mark. The mark of the orb and cross given opposite is the mark of Peter Peterson the maker.TheYorkmark prior to 1700 is of a peculiar composite character. It is now held to represent half leopard’s head and half fleur-de-lis conjoined. The example shown is on a flagon in the possession of the Corporation of York, and was made by Marmaduke Best, whose initials are stamped; the letter R is the date letter for 1674. The other example, about 1800, shows the hall-mark with the St. George’s cross and the five diminutive lions. The date-mark was obliterated on this specimen. The maker’s mark is N.G. The duty mark was too worn to reproduce. It will be noticed, as at Chester, the leopard’s head and lion passant are included in the marks.CHESTER1775 Maker, Richard Richardson.1800NORWICHc.1620Wine Cup(illustratedp. 125).YORK1674 Maker, Marmaduke Best.c.1800PROVINCIAL MARKSNewcastle-on-Tyne (1702-1884)Birmingham, Sheffield (1773 to present day)Newcastle is cited in the Acts of 1423 and 1462 as one of the cities appointed to assay silver. By the Act relating to the Higher Standard, and making it illegal to assay silver elsewhere than London, there is a hiatus after 1696. But the provincial assay offices did not long remain compulsorily idle. They petitioned the House of Commons, and obtained redress. In 1702, 1 Anne,cap.3 was specially applicable to Newcastle-on-Tyne, and this Act reappointed the town for assaying silver, and it is there on record that “there is, and time out of mind hath been, an ancient Company of Goldsmiths, which, with their families, by the said penalty are like to be ruined, and the trade utterly lost in the said town.”TheNewcastledate letters are as follows:[8]—1702 to 1720,AtoQ.In circular shields. ExceptA, which is in a square shield. Letters used in no order.1721 to 1739,atoT.Old English capitals, exceptaandT. Circular shields, exceptRandT.1740 to 1758,AtoT.Roman capitalsin shieldwith pointed base.1759 to 1790,AtoZ.Italic capitalsdittoditto1791 to 1814,AtoZ.Roman capitals. Shield hexagonal in shape.1815 to 1838,AtoZ.Block capitals. Square-shaped shield with top corners cut off.1839 to 1863,AtoZ.Roman capitals. Hexagonal shield.1864 to 1883,atou.Small Roman type. Oval shield. Office closed in 1884.The complete Newcastle marks are the Lion passant, the Leopard’s Head, the Town or Hall Mark of Three Castles, the Date Letter, the Maker’s Mark, and the Duty Mark of the Sovereign’s Head (till 1890).Birmingham and Sheffield were both granted the rights to assay silver in 1773 by 13 Geo. III,cap.52.The Birmingham marks are an Anchor, a Lion passant, a Date Letter, and the Maker’s Mark, and the Duty Mark till it was abolished in 1890.The date alphabets forBirmingham[9]are:—1773 to 1798,AtoZ.Roman capitals.1798 to 1824,atoz.Small Roman.1824 to 1849,AtoZ.Old English capitals.1849 to 1875,AtoZ.Roman capitals.1875 to 1900,Atoz.Old English small.1900 to 1924,atoz.Small Roman.The Office Year begins 1st July and ends 30th June.TheSheffield[9]marks are the Lion passant, a Crown, the Date Letter, the Maker’s Mark, and the Sovereign’s Head as the Duty Mark till abolished in 1890.From 1773 to 1823 the date letters were taken at random. From 1824 to the present day they run in regular order from A to Z.On small pieces of silver the crown and date letter are on one punch.The alphabets for Sheffield are:—Letters omitted—1824 to 1843,atoz.i, j, n, o, w, y.1844 to 1867,AtoZ.J and Q.1868 to 1892,AtoZ.I.1893 to 1917,atoz.j.The Newcastle marks, 1737, are drawn from a coffee-pot (illustratedpage 243). The Date Letter isRin old English capital type.The Birmingham marks (reproducedopposite) are in date 1804 and 1889. It will be seen that the Duty Mark of Sovereign’s Head is in a broken oval shield.The Sheffield marks are from candlesticks, that of 1773 being made by Samuel Roberts & Co.NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE1737Coffee-pot(illustratedp. 243).BIRMINGHAM18041889SHEFFIELD1773 Maker, Samuel Roberts & Co.1778

EXAMPLES OFPROVINCIALMARKS

EXETERCHESTERNORWICHYORKNEWCASTLEBIRMINGHAMSHEFFIELD

PROVINCIAL MARKS

EXETER

Although the records show that Exeter was among the Assay Offices appointed in 1700 by 12 and 13 William,cap.3 and 4, it is evident that silver was assayed here by the city guild of goldsmiths, as some of the marks found on old silver, indubitably of Exeter origin, belong to the sixteenth century.

We are enabled, by the kindness of Mr. J. H. Ellett Lake of Exeter, to give a very representative selection of Exeter marks, and, in addition, to give illustrations of the pieces themselves in this volume.

It will be seen that the earlier marks date from 1572, and the X surmounted by a crown was the city or hall-mark up to a period as late as 1640. In the early eighteenth century, subsequent to the Act of William III, the hall-mark becomes a castle with the shield divided by a vertical line.

In 1773 a Report was made by a Committee of the House of Commons, who held an inquiry and took evidence as to the manner of conducting the Assay Offices in London, York, Exeter, Bristol, Chester, Norwich, and Newcastle. The Assay Master at Exeter, in describing the method employed at his office, stated that the hall-mark was a castle, and the date letter for 1772 was Z, in Roman character, and that A was to be the letter for the next year, and that the whole alphabet was gone through.

But J, apparently, was never used at Exeter, and in later alphabets no letter after U was used, e.g. A to U (1797 to 1816), etc.

EXETER MARKS

It is not possible in a volume of this size to give all the date letters of provincial offices, but the following may be of use as indicating the letters used at Exeter:—

AtoZ(1701 to 1724)}in pointed shield.atoz(1725 to 1748)AtoZ(1749 to 1772)in square shield.AtoY(1773 to 1796).The letter I was used for two years, 1781 and 1782.AtoU(1797 to 1816)in square shield.atou(1817 to 1836)in square shield with four corners cut off.AtoU(1837 to 1856)dittoditto.AtoU(1857 to 1876)ditto.AtoF(1877 to 1882),when the office closed. Square shield with oval base.

In regard to the marks illustrated onopposite pageit will be seen that the Higher Standard Mark was used at Exeter after 1701. Examples are shown, 1706 and 1714. Collectors have sometimes stumbled into the belief that no silver was allowed by law to be assayed at any other office than London during the period 1697 to 1720. But it is only between 1697 and 1701 that the provincial offices were practically closed. From 1701 till 1720 such offices did assay and mark silver plate with the figure of Britannia, and the lion’s head erased.

EXETER MARKS

1575Chalice(illustratedp. 67).

1640Chalice(illustratedp. 71).

1706 Maker, John Elston.

1714 Maker, Pentecost Symonds.

1748Tankard(illustratedp. 117).

Other Exeter Marks illustrated are1705(p. 115),1707(p. 209),1728(p. 273),1729(p. 81),1733(p. 117).

PROVINCIAL MARKS

CHESTER, NORWICH, AND YORK

The old cathedral cities were the centres of art, therefore it is not surprising to find assay offices established there from the earliest times. Besides Exeter, which we have considered, there were assay offices at Chester, Norwich, and York. It is remarkable that no assay office appears to have existed at Canterbury, nor at Salisbury, nor at Winchester.

Chester has a long history in connexion with the coinage and with assaying silver. In the sixteenth century there is a record of the assay of silver there, and Charles I struck some of his silver coinage there in 1645 with the mint mark of the three wheatsheaves of the city.

Norwich was mentioned as one of the assay towns in 2 Hen. VI,cap.17, in 1423, which honour it shares with York and Newcastle as being of such ancient lineage. The corporation of Norwich possesses several pieces of plate of the Elizabethan period, with the city arms, a lion, and a castle as a hall-mark. A Tudor rose with a crown above is the standard mark. The office ceased early in the eighteenth century.

York is another office which is now extinct. At the end of the eighteenth century it was not mentioned among the other assay offices, but in the middle of the nineteenth century it had recommenced but did little business, and no plate seems to have been assayed there since about 1870.

TheChesterhall-mark down to 1697 is the city arms, viz. a dagger erect between three sheaves of wheat. In 1701 the mark became three demi-lions with wheatsheaves, when Chester was reappointed as one of the assay offices in the reign of William III. The shield was again changed after 1775 to the older form with the dagger which is still in use at the Chester assay office.

We give on theopposite pagean example of the mark in 1775, with the three demi-lions superimposed on the shield with the three wheatsheaves. The later mark, of the year 1800, shows the dagger with the wheatsheaves. It will be observed that these marks have the leopard’s head and the lion passant, the hall-mark and the standard-mark of the London office.

The present marks used at the Chester Assay Office, together with the maker’s initials, are the lion passant, the City arms, and the date letter. The letters now in use are Italic capitals commencing withAin 1901. The letter for 1915 isP.

An example is given ofNorwichmarks stamped on a tall wine-cup, about 1620, of the James I period. The castle and lion is the hall-mark. A Tudor rose surmounted by a crown is also found on Norwich silver as the standard mark. The mark of the orb and cross given opposite is the mark of Peter Peterson the maker.

TheYorkmark prior to 1700 is of a peculiar composite character. It is now held to represent half leopard’s head and half fleur-de-lis conjoined. The example shown is on a flagon in the possession of the Corporation of York, and was made by Marmaduke Best, whose initials are stamped; the letter R is the date letter for 1674. The other example, about 1800, shows the hall-mark with the St. George’s cross and the five diminutive lions. The date-mark was obliterated on this specimen. The maker’s mark is N.G. The duty mark was too worn to reproduce. It will be noticed, as at Chester, the leopard’s head and lion passant are included in the marks.

CHESTER

1775 Maker, Richard Richardson.

1800

NORWICH

c.1620Wine Cup(illustratedp. 125).

YORK

1674 Maker, Marmaduke Best.

c.1800

PROVINCIAL MARKS

Newcastle-on-Tyne (1702-1884)

Birmingham, Sheffield (1773 to present day)

Newcastle is cited in the Acts of 1423 and 1462 as one of the cities appointed to assay silver. By the Act relating to the Higher Standard, and making it illegal to assay silver elsewhere than London, there is a hiatus after 1696. But the provincial assay offices did not long remain compulsorily idle. They petitioned the House of Commons, and obtained redress. In 1702, 1 Anne,cap.3 was specially applicable to Newcastle-on-Tyne, and this Act reappointed the town for assaying silver, and it is there on record that “there is, and time out of mind hath been, an ancient Company of Goldsmiths, which, with their families, by the said penalty are like to be ruined, and the trade utterly lost in the said town.”

TheNewcastledate letters are as follows:[8]—

1702 to 1720,AtoQ.In circular shields. ExceptA, which is in a square shield. Letters used in no order.1721 to 1739,atoT.Old English capitals, exceptaandT. Circular shields, exceptRandT.1740 to 1758,AtoT.Roman capitalsin shieldwith pointed base.1759 to 1790,AtoZ.Italic capitalsdittoditto1791 to 1814,AtoZ.Roman capitals. Shield hexagonal in shape.1815 to 1838,AtoZ.Block capitals. Square-shaped shield with top corners cut off.1839 to 1863,AtoZ.Roman capitals. Hexagonal shield.1864 to 1883,atou.Small Roman type. Oval shield. Office closed in 1884.

The complete Newcastle marks are the Lion passant, the Leopard’s Head, the Town or Hall Mark of Three Castles, the Date Letter, the Maker’s Mark, and the Duty Mark of the Sovereign’s Head (till 1890).

Birmingham and Sheffield were both granted the rights to assay silver in 1773 by 13 Geo. III,cap.52.

The Birmingham marks are an Anchor, a Lion passant, a Date Letter, and the Maker’s Mark, and the Duty Mark till it was abolished in 1890.

The date alphabets forBirmingham[9]are:—

1773 to 1798,AtoZ.Roman capitals.1798 to 1824,atoz.Small Roman.1824 to 1849,AtoZ.Old English capitals.1849 to 1875,AtoZ.Roman capitals.1875 to 1900,Atoz.Old English small.1900 to 1924,atoz.Small Roman.

The Office Year begins 1st July and ends 30th June.

TheSheffield[9]marks are the Lion passant, a Crown, the Date Letter, the Maker’s Mark, and the Sovereign’s Head as the Duty Mark till abolished in 1890.

From 1773 to 1823 the date letters were taken at random. From 1824 to the present day they run in regular order from A to Z.

On small pieces of silver the crown and date letter are on one punch.

The alphabets for Sheffield are:—

Letters omitted—1824 to 1843,atoz.i, j, n, o, w, y.1844 to 1867,AtoZ.J and Q.1868 to 1892,AtoZ.I.1893 to 1917,atoz.j.

The Newcastle marks, 1737, are drawn from a coffee-pot (illustratedpage 243). The Date Letter isRin old English capital type.

The Birmingham marks (reproducedopposite) are in date 1804 and 1889. It will be seen that the Duty Mark of Sovereign’s Head is in a broken oval shield.

The Sheffield marks are from candlesticks, that of 1773 being made by Samuel Roberts & Co.

NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE

1737Coffee-pot(illustratedp. 243).

BIRMINGHAM

1804

1889

SHEFFIELD

1773 Maker, Samuel Roberts & Co.

1778

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