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A Bros, EPNS....Who are the Bros

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 1:26 pm
by silversonic
Hi, Any ideas as to the makers mark? There A is large with the "Bros" and "Ltd" ascending and descending the A's sides. It also has EPNS followed by AI or A1.
Its is a boxed set of a salt pot, lidded mustard pot, another open pot and two small spoons. I have no idea and it does not match the AKINS Bros stamp refered to on the main site.

Thanks in advance.

(prior post in the wrong category, sorry!)

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 3:20 pm
by 2209patrick
Hello. Sounds like a silverplate mark used by the Adie Brothers, London, England (20th century).

Image

Pat.

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 3:57 pm
by silversonic
Hi Pat, thanks for the correct detective work, once again.
Try as I might, I caanot find any reference to EPNS wear from Adie Bros, only silver. A search on google found nothing but silver, no epns references. Also, some links staed that there was an Adie Bros in Birmingham also.

Is there much info about the available on the net anywhere? I could not find any to enlighten me further about their dates of operation, their wears etc etc.

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 8:20 pm
by 2209patrick
The company was founded in Birmingham (1879) as Adie & Lovekin.
In 1907 they registered at the Birmingham assay office as Adie Brothers. Percy Adie led the firm.
Tony Adie headed the company from 1909 to 1965.
I think it was taken over by British Silverware Ltd., not sure when, after 1965.

Adie Brothers would often put the names of retail stores and wholesale dealers to whom they sold, instead of their own mark, on pieces.
They were a large manufacturer.

Image

Pat.

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 8:58 pm
by silversonic
They also have have hand scribed markings as follows, P/4547/2, not sure if this means anything other than wether its the sets reference or someone who worked the pieces?

Were A Bros registered in London at some point?

Heres the set below, black leather effect with silk lining, any guess on age by the shape or presentation? Both pots have their DK blue liners in place.

Image[/img]

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 9:27 pm
by 2209patrick
Hello Silversonic.

A few of my references show them having their mark registered in London also.
I can't remember seeing their mark with London hallmarks, but I don't see a lot of British silver in the mid-west of the United States.

Pat.

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 10:09 pm
by silversonic
I will assume that the pieces are probably from the 40s, not sure why, just a gut feeling.

I can't remember seeing their mark with London hallmarks, but I don't see a lot of British silver in the mid-west of the United States.


Thats why all of us posters send you stuff to view, but, unlike most of us, you have a great head start.

Thanks for all of the valuable info once again.