Gratschev and S. P. Burg

[Zolotnik]

Hi all -

even Gratschev sold the spoons of the shrouded in mystery spoon maker S. P. Burg.......





Regards
Zolotnik

[numis.geneve]

I have a theory on this, it might be absurd but seems likely to me.There is no maker S. P. Burg it is an abbreviation for St.Petersburg that became popular right about 1910, that was not used very often, but can be seen a lot on different private, government, police and military medals, badges buttons about 1910-1914.
For example,sorry for Russian( Знак Братского Креста Камчатского Православного Братства во имя Нерукотворенного Образа Всемилостивого Спаса, 1-й степени. клеймо фирмы «„НИКОЛАЙ ЛИНДЕНЪ“ / С.П.БУРГЪ.» )
In cutlery we can see it was used mostly on spoons, but I have also seen a ladle by a multisite of different firms, but mostly Egor Pankratjev, Morozov and now we see a Grachev.
All the cutlery with this mark could date to approximately the same years 1910-1915, with the right facing Kokoshnik, and Zolotniks spoon has 1913 engraved on it.
Has anyone ever seen all 6 or 12 spoons set with the mark С.П.БУРГЪ? My theory is that it became a new habit to put this stamp on 1 spoon out of the set, next to the city mark, just as marketing I guess. The marking was then discontinued, as the city became Petrograd( but again just a theory).

[numis.geneve]

sorry not 1910-1915 ------ -----1910-1914

[Ubaranda]

Hi numis.geneve!

I think you are absolutely right.

Best regards. Alex.

[Qrt.S]

Very interesting. This is a never-ending discussion. It has been claimed that this SP BURG would be a master's mark as well a a town mark. The odds are even. However, this PETROGRAD mark would indicate that it is a town mark after all. I don't think that Mr SP BURG would have changed his punch to PETROGRAD after 1914...hardly.

Nonetheless do I understand you correctly dear Ubaranda. Have you seen or do you have an object with a punch where SP.BURG or PETROGRAD is punched as well as a Morozov punch? I would be very happy if you could show it here.

I'd also like to add to this list of SP.BURG mark the here missing combination S.P. BURG and AA. Unfortunately I cannot for the moment find a picture to sjow of AA but will do it immediately when I find it.

[numis.geneve]

Dear All, i think Ubaranda's last photo with the Petrograd mark is the final proof of it being a city.
I believe I have seen a Morozov mark together with S.P. Burg(that is why I listed it), but it was a long time ago and I do not have a photo or proof, maybe I am forgetting something.

[Zolotnik]

Hi all -

if it is a townmark - what is the reason of both the letter alpha and additionally S. P. Burg or Petrograd? Btw - Petrograd I see here for the first time!

Regards
Zolotnik

[numis.geneve]

The Reason would be simply marketing. How many regular people buying the silver back at the time would know the
Greek letter abbreviations for the cities, that alpha stands for St.Petersburg- not many I believe; so a way to proudly inform the customer that the item was manufactured in the Capital

[numis.geneve]

Additionally, I have a suspicion that the city mark was added by the maker rather than the assayer, although I might be wrong