unknown townmark - key and dragon? Maker H.Strelow (Germany)

[Theoderich]

Which german townmark it is?

[Theoderich]

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trzebiat%C3%B3w

could it be Treptow (Trzebiatów) ?

[blakstone]

Scheffler's Mittel- und Nordostdeutschlands doesn't list any maker by that name in Treptow, but he does show a Heinrich Strelow in Wolgast (which is just across the Bay of Pomerania from Treptow) listed at least 1903-1926. This mark is certainly earlier than that, but Strelow (or an antecedent) may well have been working earlier; Scheffler's information on Wolgast is sketchy at best. And the Wolgast arms are a conceivable match for the mark here.

[Theoderich]

Thank You blakstone - You answer makes sense.
On the spoon is a "gravur" 10.11.87. I have bought this spoon in Stralsund.

I do not understand, why this townmark is not in Rosenberg or an other Encyklopedia.

[silverport]

Hello

In my archive in Spain I’ve an object with same «griffin» mark. After buy in the 80th I haven’t made intensive research; be hold research for an other time. Because in Mecklenburg exist some town who have - from history on — a «griffin», some a «griffin»with additions in their coat of arms.

Furthermore my experience is that often a name be punched in full — as e.g. here: H.STRELOW — signification is only “retailers punch”. Also in GB’s past some “maker’s mark” in reality are “retailers punch”.

I remember — actually I couldn’t sound it by my archive — that in 1882 in Treptow (now: Trzebiatów) were founded a factory for hollowware and flatware in silver alloy material.

The same confusion e.g. exists in area around «Flensburg» with typical «Flensburg spoon». After 1850/1860 very often these spoon have their history of origin in regional factory’s or specialized workshop. In «Itzehoe» area e.g. by H.Spliedt (from 1857 on) and in «Flensburg» area e.g. by Robbe & Berking (from 1874 on). Some times only chase is done by local jewellers or retailers who have then after spoon punched with her retailer’s name punch!

In a global wide very important collection exist spoons punched SIEMENS — now it’s declared to be out of SIEMENS company’s canteen. No, no, no! Siemens, a local retailer have buy these spoon by H. Spliedt and punched with his full name punch.

I hope before collectors and contributors make shots out of suspender belt and declare retailer to be factor of objects that all collectors and contributors in future hold in mind retailer’s interest for further sale and retailers punch on objects most times in full name.

I guess — under these basics — that the «10.11.87» signed object has it’s origin in Treptow factory; founded 1882.

Kind regards silverport

[Theoderich]

Hi Silverport,

This townmark is very similar to the arms of Treptow.
What you say sounds plausible.
Is this mark documented in any silverbook - or is the townmark of Wolgast or Troptow documented in any silverbook?

[blakstone]

I certainly did not mean to imply that Strelow was, in fact, a manufacturing silversmith, merely that he was recorded in Scheffler. That he was working in the early 20th century - by which time silver flatware was produced almost exclusively by large manufacturers - makes it all but certain that he was only a retailer.

But even in the 19th century, many retailers and makers both marked their wares with not only their name but some sort of "city" mark in imitation of the larger guilds. Many of these are recorded, but doubtless many have yet to be identified. (Weltkunst magazine did a lengthy series on some of these smaller civic marks a few years ago; the Kröpelin mark in a recent post is a good example.)

I can only imagine that the large Treptow manufacturer you remember is Felisch & Kirchheim (founded in 1873) — certainly the city had no larger — but their trademark was “F” in a circle. Conversely, I found this site about the Wolgast arms which states that the "griffin and key" abbreviated arms of Wolgast have been known since at least the 1760s (as preserved on a limestone monument from that time). I think the appearance of this exact symbol of Wolgast alongside the name of a known Wolgast dealer is simply too great a coindicence. I agree that Strelow was probably a retailer and not a manufacturer, but I think the marks here are all his.

[Theoderich]

Thank You blakstone.


This is a very good argument for Wolgast.

With this "Alt-Spaten"-spoon - I have bought some other Spaten spoons - also with 12 Loth and "graviert" with 10.11.87 - but from maker/seller "Friedr:Schmidt"
http://silberpunze.si.funpic.de/WFELS/Wolgast.JPG