English Toast & Jam Rack and Bell - Possible Deykin &

[ocpaul]

Hi,

This is my first attempt at posting on this forum, so apologies if I don't get it quite right.

I am attempting to identify the subject toast and jam rack that includes a bell. A review of the silverplate trademarks suggests it may by by Deykin & Sons, but the marks are not quite the same as shown in the reference.

Also wondering with the "A" might mean. Assuming the "4553" is either a product number or a serial number of some sort.

Thanks in advance for any help.



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[2209patrick]

Hello and welcome.

That is a silverplate mark used by William R. Deykin & Sons of Birmingham.

A and A1 are often seen on Britiah and American silverplated wares.
Meant to imply a high level of quality or thickness of the plating. It has no real significance.

4553 is a catalog number.

Pat.

[ocpaul]

Thanks for the prompt feedback.

Is there any way to determine the approximate age of this item from the trademark / makers mark information?

[silverport]

Hello

I haven't profound knowledge in mark-up or signs on American plated.

But I know American plated companies who were often competitor in West European production companies market area.

I've read many secret reports in which sales professionals of plated products have claimed urgent activity in sign visible the basic material = e.g. at least «A» or «AI» or «N» (Nickel silver) or «ALPACCA» or «ALPACCA I».

Competitors delivered for several markets - e.g. South America - «Alpacca 3rd quality», Packfong or «Brass Metal» itself. Competitors basic material was cheaper so they could compete as a sly dog.

As you know silver alloy only had some rules by law - e.g. Spanish speaking area: «Plata de Ley».

On West European flatware they used for indication of basic material's quality short or full mark's e.g. «A» or «AI» or «N» or «ALPACCA» or «METAL BLANC» (France) - on hollowware most times full mark «ALPACCA» or «METAL BLANC».

Kind regards silverport