Unidentified makers mark - American CH or HC?

[johnwales]

I have tried to find the maker of the object shown below but without success. I have tried American and UK marks on this site (and others!).

Any help will be gratefully received.

[2209patrick]

Looks to me like the mark of the Hemming Manufacturing Company, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Succeeded by Canadian Jewellers Ltd. about 1915.
Don't know if Canadian Jewelers continued to use this mark.

Believe they also produced flatware.

Pat.

[johnwales]

Many thanks - impressive speed of response :-)

[volpone]

No, that's the mark for Charles Horner of Halifax, UK. Mostly used Chester and Birmingham assay offices. The two marks are quite similar, though.

[johnwales]

I can see how they could be confused.

Many thanks to both for responding.

John

[byron mac donald]

Hello-

Where are the marks for the two listed? I would like to see them as well.

Thanks-

[volpone]

Hi, I've been collecting Horner pieces for 5 or 6 years. I don't have an online reference for his trademark (this site only includes one of his many maker's marks), but he registered the intertwined CH (no. 367836) in 1915 per Tom J. Lawson's book Charles Horner of Halifax - a Celebration of his Life and Works, page 36.

On page 92 of the book, there is an image of a pendant quite similar to John's. In addition, I have a ring in my personal collection that is pictured in the book (p. 98) that has the same marks (unfortunately a bit rubbed):




Unfortunately, I no longer have the citation for Hemming, but over the years, I picked up a few pieces online hoping they were unrecognized Horner pieces. Alas, after handling several of them, it became obvious that it was indeed a different maker.I learned that Hemming Manufacturing Company was in operation in Montreal, Canada, from 1909-1916.

Although both companies produced sterling and enamel jewelry, the manufacture, construction and quality are different. I have only seen brooches and pins by Hemming, whereas Horner produced necklaces, rings, buttons, etc. If you compare the pins, you will note that Horner's c-clasp was a simple curled wire design, while Hemming had a wider, flat, folded metal clasp.

Hemming produced many pieces with Canadian motifs, with the larger pieces featuring various city crests, and smaller ones often with the maple leaf. The technique of the enamel is also different from Horner. Here are some examples of Hemming's work (along with pics of the marks):

[volpone]

Here is the pertinent reference from Lawson's book, p. 38:

"Although many of the products made and sold by the Horner business were below the statutory weight limit for assaying and hallmarking, the company - in common with some of its competitors - chose to go to the expense of having them assayed in any case. Probably some customers preferred marked items, despite the fact that the cost of assaying added to the price. Hallmarking provided the customer with a reasonable guarantee of authenticity, even for small items, and therefore increased the perceived value. The statutory limit above which precious metal jewellery had to be assayed and hallmarked was 5 pennyweights, which is equivalent to 1/4 troy ounce or 1.55gm."

Here is an example of a smaller piece with full assay marks:

[2209patrick]

RF,
Your last post simply makes my point. It's in Charles Horner's best interests to have his items fully hallmarked.
Can find no other reference to the OP's mark being used by Horner except the book you site.

[volpone]

The OP's pendant appears in Lawson's book on p.89 in a different color scheme:



The description notes that it is signed with the intertwined "CH" and "sterling silver."

While Horner frequently used assay marks on smaller items, he didn't always. Another piece without full assay marks:



The description of Horner's registered marks:


Note esp. point 4, "...[f]rom 1915, when Charles Horner registered the distinctive intertwined C.H, small pieces of silver jewellery and other items were marked 'sterling silver' together with the intertwined C.H."

[volpone]

Off the top of my head, I also recall that Bernard Instone also typically produced sterling silver pieces that were not assayed. Sometimes, you're lucky even to get his initials on pieces.

[Aguest]

I think I have something to add to this thread::;

[Aguest]

The spoon is an enamel spoon of Victoria, Canada, note the maple leaf::"