Victorian Iced Tea Straws 801 or 108 mark - what is it?

[SilveryGlow]

I have a set of Victorian iced tea straws that only have a mark that's either 801 or 108, nothing else. They do tarnish, but slowly. Does anyone know who the maker is or what the mark means? Any help to identify them and confirm them as Victorian would be greatly appreciated!

[dognose]

Hi,

This post will help: viewtopic.php?f=38&t=19922

Trev.

[silverport]

There are more marks visible!

Hello

Sorry I know it from my own beginnings, that’s a typical problem of to be a New-be — that it seems to be impossible to “see” the single trees (marks).

The »801« or »108« mark you’ve found is not the only one on the item, I guess is the model number — I think, then it is »108«.

On the back side of the not decorated part of the tube — near where the bulbous part is, is a word mark or combination of words of at least 10 capital letters visible.

But it isn’t very visible with the actual file now. Please “read” that with a magnifying glass, but very patiently; and make a shot only from that area only. Don’t forget to turn it — it seems to me that it is better visible, if the bulbous part is on the left side. Please let’s know what you’ve found there.

On the front side, above the sieve it’s marked 90 — please read this: http://www.925-1000.com/a_platenumbers.html

To be »Victorian« I couldn’t confirm — because the Argentine like decorated items.

In this case it is maybe not made from brass, but maybe from Nickel-Silver alloy, and then after being plated with about 3 to 4 gram silver per piece.

Maybe the inscription marks on the backside inform, that the item is made from ALPACCA?

It seems to be an item out of German production — maybe made from the German »WMF« for Argentina?

I’m interested too, to know the (other) marks.

Thank you!

Kind regards silverport

[SilveryGlow]

Well I've checked every inch of all 10 pieces with a 10x magnifier - sides, edges, flat surfaces, decorated areas, perforated sides - from all angles and in 2 different types of lighting, but there are no other marks anywhere (besides the 801 or 108). I even searched through the patterned areas just in case they hid marks in there, but there's nothing. I went so far as to look inside the stem opening with a light as well as along the narrow edges where the patterned sections begin - nothing. Perhaps these are just unsigned, less expensive pieces?

[silverport]

Hello

Thank you for yours response!

So my impression of seeing »marks« result only on scratches of wear and tear.

Kind regards silverport

[SilveryGlow]

Thanks for your help dognose and silverport! At least now I know what these things are. My interest is really in Victorian silver (though I love silver in general), so I may not keep these since I haven't been able to confirm their age. 'Til next time!