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Birmingham Date letter? and Makers mark?
Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:53 am
by mc-mama
Hi All
Thank you for your help!
I have a Birks bracelet with the pictured marks
I have figured out the Birmingham part but I'm not sure about the date latter 'R' but it is a different R than I have found pictured anywhere
I am guessing by the style of the bracelet it was made sometime between 1920 to 1950
Could anyone identify that 'R' for me for a definitive date?
Also, the makers mark of 'S & P'
Anyone know this maker?
Thanks
Dana
Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 11:05 am
by mc-mama
Obviously I am not posting the image correctly - sorry
let's try that again
Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 2:55 pm
by dognose
Hi Dana,
That "R" is the date letter for 1966, sorry I can't help with the maker.
Trev.
Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 3:09 pm
by 2209patrick
Smith & Pepper Ltd., Vyse Street, Birmingham, England.
Pat.
Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 3:21 pm
by mc-mama
Thanks so much for the speedy replies!
I am wondering about the date though - not disputing just trying to learn a bit :)
I thought the anchor/lion combo was only used until 1945 (or so ) and now when I look up Smith & Pepper it shows they were only in busines 1890 to 1945
Could it be from the 40s instead?
Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 3:36 pm
by 2209patrick
Looks like Birmingham, 1966 to me.
Pat.
Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 3:45 pm
by mc-mama
It sure does look like 1966
So, do you know was Smith & Pepper still producing jewellery in 1966?
I did look it up but you know how it is, if you don't really know where to look - I could easily be finding the wrong info
Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 3:53 pm
by 2209patrick
I know Smith & Pepper Ltd. was still in business during the 1950's.
Think it's a safe bet they were still working in the 1960's.
Can't offer any sites that prove it though.
Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 4:35 pm
by mc-mama
Aha!
found this info ....
History
Smith & Pepper was founded by Charles Smith (1867-1933) and his uncle Edwin Pepper (1858-1935). The company registered their 'S&P' mark with the Birmingham Assay Office on the 5 September 1899. From the beginning, Smith & Pepper made gold bangles, brooches, cufflinks, lockets and crosses, and continued to make many of the same designs throughout their history, specialising in bracelets. When Smith & Pepper closed down in 1981 the premises remained virtually undisturbed for a decade. The factory was 'rediscovered' in the late 1980s and Birmingham City Council took the decision to convert the site into a museum to tell the story of the Jewellery Quarter and promote the area as a tourist destination.