The Origin of your interest.

[piette]

I have been wondering recently and have a few questions for you all on the forum...
They do not exactly relate to pieces of Russian silver - I am just interested in how you became interested so here are my questions:

1) What first sparked your interest in Russian silver?
2) How old were you when you became interested in Russian silver?
3) Are you a collector, or are you just interested in knowing about the silver?

My own answers:

1) What first sparked your interest in Russian silver?
I first bought an English silver sugar caster at my local auction house with the intention of reselling it and that sparked my interest in Silver. This was followed by my mum receiving a Russian silver enamelled spoon by Pjotr Milyukov, and I thought it was absolutely wonderful! From then on I was hooked.

2) How old were you when you became interested in Russian silver?
I was aged 16

3) Are you a collector, or are you just interested in knowing about the silver?
I both want to collect and learn a great deal - I have begun already and have a few small items in my collection :-)

Regards,
Piette

[Postnikov]

Hi-

What first sparked your interest in Russian silver?
The wellmade and exotic cigarette cases of officers of the Imperial Army which I first saw in the home of Baltic Germans
How old were you when you became interested in Russian silver?
About 20 years of age but it took some years until I could travel to the Baltic and Russian states freely
Are you a collector, or are you just interested in knowing about the (Russian/Baltic) silver?
Both - if you collect you must know!

Regards
Postnikov

[Qrt.S]

Hello Piette,

1) My late mother was interested in Russian silver and she taught me than 84 is a good silver sign and as well indicating Russian silver. She also said that people do not understand Russian silvermarks as well as that 84 is good silver. That was in the 50-ties. I should have listen to hear more.....

2) I think I have always had a certain level of interest in metals and of course also silver. Always when I saw a spoon I had to investigate the marks whether it was silver or not.

3) What's the definition of being a collector or not? I don't see my self as I collector even if I have certain silver objects in my possession both bought and inherited. Yes, I'm interested in particular in Russian and Baltic silver but also in Finnish Swedish and English silver, especially the marks and the marking system i find interesting. You could sy I'm a collector if you mean certain books about silver marks.

[oel]

Hi,

What first sparked your interest in Russian silver?
After Qrt.S and Postnikov gave me an ear bashing when I showed my only two but fake Russian silver items and the enormous amount of fake Russian silver offered world wide.

How old were you when you became interested in Russian silver?
You could say to old but you are never too old to learn. You know the drill you have to learn, learn and learn to recognize a bargain.

Are you a collector, or are you just interested in knowing about the (Russian/Baltic) silver?
I collect silver but not Russian silver. However Russian silver has my interest.

Regards
Oel