Worthwhile books for new collector - suggestions please

[knowsdiddly]

Hi All,

I hope it is ok to ask this type of question, I looked in the dos and donts and couldn't see that I mustn't so here goes; I am (very) new to silver collecting and wonder if anyone could recommend worthwhile books for a beginner like me please?

Bare in mind that as my ID suggests, I know basically nothing. I will be sticking to British silver until I get clever (or die trying) and mostly flatware to begin with. Personally I think I will get overloaded if I try to diversify too much and I don't want my enthusiasm knocked. Is that sensible in your experience? Any advice (and pitfalls to be avoided) will be listened to and very likely taken too.

Please help as I am a disabled guy and funds are limited so I want to spend my cash wisely. Many thanks in advance and apologies if this question is ruled out of order. Regards, Martin

[Neruda]

Your chioce of books depends on what you want to know.

Two good basic guides which each cost around six pounds are "Bradbury's Book of Hallmarks" and "Jackson's Hallmarks, pocket edition". Both help with general identification - but are limited in depth and are certainly not "the Gospel".

There on up prices can rise very steeply indeed! Some titles are out of print and have a collector's value in their own right. In time you may begin to specialise - perhaps a particular period, style or location. Then will be the time to consider investing in research resources

However there is also a great deal of information to be gained from the internet, if used with care! Regular trawling of the big internet auction sites is an invaluable source for becoming familiar with pricing and desirability. Many top antique companies illustrate their inventories with very good photos and informative descriptions.

Equally important is handling silver - developing a feel for style/period and an eye for quality as well as being able to detect alterations, forgeries etc.

Collecting silver can become habit-forming - you have been warned!!!!!!

Good luck!

[Threebears]

Welcome to silver collecting !
I look for my books on line at used book stores , also on internet " sells " sites . You never know what you can find in your local fleamarket also !
Good luck collecting !
Threebears

[gentlemanadventurer]

Hi,
Well, some of the "old hands" don't care for this book, but price/value = 1,000%. "The Book of Old Silver" by Seymour B. Wyler. I bought mine from Amazon (listed as a used book) for $7.86 (L 4.57). It covers Brittish hallmarks and makers marks, American coin (about 90% silver) makers and Foreign (European) hallmarks. The index, which most people complain about is ok, once you get used to it.
Just as a hint to a new collector: Memorize the foreign hallmarks (or make a cheat sheet), you'll find some real bargains!

[SilverSurfer]

Hi! Welcome to the hunt! I concur that, despite its many errors and omissions, Wyler's Book of Old Silver is a good first text, given that used copies can be gotten for next to nothing (well, here in the USA, at least). Jackson's Pocket Edition is okay, but I'd really recommend the full size Jackson's Silver & Gold Marks of England, Scotland & Ireland. I bought mine (1989 Hardback Edition, 2005 Printing) for about $63 plus shipping on Amazon.com (most small dealers are asking much more for used copies). It's not as handy as Wyler's and Pocket Jackson's (in which I often look first), but it is complete, with many fewer omissions/errors, and its worth it just by weight (about ten pounds, nice glossy, solid paper). For American coin silver, I'd recommend Stephen E. G. Ensko's American Silversmiths and Their Marks IV, copyright 1988 (hardback, pre-1850 smiths only), and Dorothy Rainwater's Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers (softcover, goes to the twentieth century and includes silverplate makers). For other countries, I'd recommend International Hallmarks on Silver Collected by Tardy (softcover, mine is 1985, but there may be a new edition out). Good luck!

SS