by Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson Scripps Howard News Service
Dear Helaine and Joe: My mother has a silver tea set bearing the markings seen in the enclosed photographs. It was purchased for her by my father when he was stationed in London during World War II. It had a card inside the teapot that says "London Hall marked early Victorian--date 1876/7 ... 16 ounces, 4 pieces." What is its value?
--J.H., Denver
Dear J.H.: Before we start discussing value, it would probably be best to get the history straight. First of all, this set is not "early Victorian." Yes, it is Victorian, but Queen Victoria came to the English throne in 1837 and reigned until her death in 1901. The capital "A" in a cut cornered shield on the bottom of this set's cream pitcher, sugar bowl and tongs tells us these objects were made in 1876/77, but the "B" in a shield on the teapot tells us this piece was made slightly later in 1877/78.
This time frame is not considered to be "early Victorian" but falls somewhat after the midpoint of Victoria's tenure.
Objects from this era are more properly referred to as "mid-Victorian" or, in some minds, "late Victorian." We know this is splitting hairs. But beating the bejeebers out of details is something we antiques appraisers do from time to time with scholarly (some would say "nerdy") delight.
Also found on the bottom of these items is the impressed image of a lion with its tail curved over its back.
This signifies that the pieces were made from sterling silver (i.e. 92.5 percent pure silver). In addition, there is a leopard's head, which indicates that all these objects were made in the city of London.
We now know quite a bit about J.H.'s tea set, but at this point we hit a brick wall because the maker's marks, "W E" and "C E," are unknown among London silversmiths of the last quarter of the 19th century. The last silversmith to use a "W E" insignia similar to the ones found on these pieces was William Eaton, who first used it around 1837.
This is some 40 years before J.H.'s items were made and silversmiths did not usually work this long. Even more frustrating is the "C E" touch mark found on the teapot, which is completely unknown in this form. The last maker to use these particular initials was C. Eley circa 1825, and he is unlikely to be the maker of this particular teapot.
The style of this set with its straps and rivets appears to be English Arts and Crafts, and this makes it desirable to many current collectors.
The mysterious nature of the maker, however, keeps the dollar value down somewhat, and if it is in perfect condition with no dents or pitting, its insurance replacement value is in the range of $2,000 to $2,500.
(Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson are the authors of Treasures in Your Attic. Questions can by mailed to them at P.O. Box 12208, Knoxville, TN 37912-0208.)
Resources Treasures In Your Attic
by Joe L. Rosson, Helaine Fendelman (ISBN: 0060198273)
Subtitled: An entertaining, informative, down-to-earth guide to a wide range of collectibles and antiques from the hosts of the popular television show seen on PBS stations.
(Harper Resource, April 2001)
Order this
title.
Treasures In Your Attic
c/o WSJK/WKOP-TV
1611 E. Magnolia Ave.
Knoxville, TN 37917
Phone: 865-595-0220
Fax: 865-595-0300
Email:
elaine_tomber@wsjk.pbs.org
URL:
www.treasuresinyourattic.org
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