Gorham teapot?

[SusanWhite]

It's me again ... so many lots of silver, so little knowledge.... ;0)

A donated teapot, which appears to be Gorham, but there are other marks on the base which I don't understand. Not stamped coin or sterling ... anyone with any insights, please share!

Thank you sincerely,
Susan

http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=4663352

http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=4663351
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[SusanWhite]

Does anyone think the unicorn's horn was "accidentally" bent ... seems to me if it were sticking straight up initially, it would have poked people ... anyone??

Thanks!
Susan
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[SusanWhite]

One more question ... does anyone have any guesses about the crest on the pot?

Thanks to one and all!
Susan
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[SusanWhite]

In looking again at the teapot, I realized that I posted a photo of what must be some kind of monogram and not the shield, which is on the reverse side of the monogram.

As it's an American teapot, I'm thinking there can't be too many families with "shields" but then again, I'm no expert.

Here's a photo of the shield. Anyone's guesses about any of the questions I've posted would be deeply appreciated.

Thanks!
Susan

http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=4680476
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[2209patrick]

Hello Susan, that's a great looking teapot.
As Tom said in your Fish Set thread, this transitional period from coin silver to sterling can be confusing. Gorham switched to the sterling standard around 1868. On holloware in 1868 they started using date marks. Since your teapot does not have a date mark, it seems to be more likely that it's coin silver (this is just my opinion.).

The horn on the Unicorn's head appears to be bent in line with the head and away from the handle. This makes me think that it originally was designed that way. Again, this is just an opinion.

The number 490 is probably just a catalog or pattern number.
The T&Co mark would be the retailer's mark.
Can't help you with the crest.

(When you post links to your pictures please don't add brackets [], they prevent others from seeing the pictures.)

Regards,
Pat.
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[SusanWhite]

Thanks, Patrick!

I really appreciate your help and opinions ... especially when they match my own ... lol ... I have decided to give a try to tracking down the shield myself, it makes things more fun!

Again, thank you and thanks also for the tip about eliminating the brackets, I will make sure to do it that way next time.

Sincerely,
Susan
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[SusanWhite]

This is just to admit that no, I am not an expert on the shield thing ... lol ... I am really chuckling at my own "innocence" in thinking there couldn't be too many shields for families here in the former colonies ... dead wrong and laughing my tail end off about it ... literally thousands and growing daily....

I have abandoned this folly for pursuits that are more likely to result in usable info....

If you were having a good laugh on this, I'm with you.... ;0)

Sincerely,
Susan
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