Silver plated ink stand

[alfredthegreat2003]

I would like someone to identify the makers marks and date if possible.
Ink stand is silver plated on copper. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[pecanpie]

hi, i've just bought an ivory ink pot with silver(plated?) cover with similar marks on it.
In the upper center cartouche there is a "A" (gothic) with "&co" (in smaller letters. The four cartouches below (each with different shapes) contain the E S M C letters (quite like the SSMC marks) and the number below them is 0252. I've searched a lot but not any clues yet...