silverplate mark Menorah

[jordan]

I have several pieces of old silverplate (small footed compote and small footed calling card tray) which are very heavy and highly detailed. On the bottom is a Menorah enclosed in a circle, the word England and a number, such as 40 underlined. Does anyone have information on this type of marking? I would love to know the origin and age. Thank you.

[2209patrick]

Sounds like a mark used by the Ellis-Barker Silver Companies located in Birmingham England. In the U.S. they are called Ellis-Barker, in Europe they are refered to as Barker-Ellis.
Founded in the early 1800's. In 1897 they opened an American branch in New York City. According to Rainwater's this mark was used since 1912, however I don't know for how long.

[jordan]

Thank you for the information. These were wedding presents to my parents in 1940....possibly from family silver. I will pursue it through Ellis Barker history, if possible.