www.925-1000.com

Hello!
I like old silver from Germany, but I'm still not good at German hallmarks. I suppose that this spoon was made in Danzig (two crosses and a crown on top) in 1809-1812 (Prussian tax mark "FW"). But the other two marks I don't know. Help me, please!

Dont know the marks that you cannot identify. But you are right in your id.

I on the other hand would like to see a close up of the owners engravement.

The “F” is the mark of Danzig/Gdansk guild warden/assay master Johann Gottlieb Fischer (1742-1820), master 1770, who served in that post in the years 1792, 1796, 1800, 1804 and 1808, thus giving a date range for your spoon.

The maker “CLBe/rendt” is Carl Ludwig Berendt (1728-1804), master 1753. His father Benjamin Berendt (1681-1756), master 1713, was also a silversmith.

Hope this helps!

Refs:
Michal Gradowski, Znaki Na Srebrze (Warsaw: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, 2001), p. 70, mark XXIX [Fischer].

Michal Gradowski & Agnieszka Kasprzak-Miler, Złotnicy na Zieniach Północnej Polski, Część I: Województwo Pomorskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie i Warmińsko-Mazurskie (Warsaw: Wydawnictwa DiG, 2002), pp. 138-139, maker G579, mark A [C. Berendt]; pp. 144-145, maker #G609 [Fischer]; & p. 127, maker #G531 [B. Berendt].

Eugen von Czihak, Die Edelschmiedekunst Früherer Zeiten in Preussen, v. II, Westpreussen: Danzig, Thorn, Elbing, Marienburg, kleinere Städte (Leipzig: Hiersemann, 1908), p. 81, maker #476 [C. Berendt]; pp. 84-85, maker #505 [Fischer]; & p. 74, maker #430 [B. Berendt].

I thank You blakstone for informations about the reference books.

It is possible to send You a private message?

Best Wishes Theo

Thank very much, blakstone!
Your information is very, very full and interesting! But how to explain the fact that the Prussian mark "FW" was used in 1809-1812, and Carl Ludwig Berendt had died before it - in 1804?
Best regards, Alex.

It is my understanding that the decree of 12 Feb 1809 required owners to either sell their silver to the state at the price of 14 thalers per ounce or to pay a tax equivalent to 1/3 the weight of the item at the same rate; the “FW” tax mark was applied to the latter items. (There were exemptions from this compulsory acquisition, including items of significant artistic or historic merit, liturgical items, small trinkets, commemorative, military or prize medals, rings etc.) New items made after 25 April 1809 were taxed at rate equivalent to 1/4 the weight of the item, and these new items were struck with the “Prussian eagle” mark. Thus, while the “FW” mark was used between 1809 and 1812, it was specifically struck on items made before that period; only items with the “Prussian eagle” tax mark can be dated exclusively to that period.

At least, this is what I glean from electronic translations of German & Polish references, both languages at which I am hopelessly inept; I welcome any correction or clarification from more knowledgeable native speakers such as Theoderich (who is, of course, welcome to PM me).

http://www.digitalis.uni-koeln.de/Richt ... e15-25.pdf
there is an interesting article (in german)

page19ff

Hi, Theoderich!
Thank you very much, but unfortunately my knowledge of German does not allow me to read this article now. I will seek a translator :-).
Best regards. Alex.