Albrecht, Kirill (Karl) 1874-1898

[Zolotnik]

Hi all -

Among all the other well-known names Karl Albrecht takes something like a shadowy existence. This may be due to the rarity of his excellent products, or due to the relatively short 24 years period of creativity. In any event, all his cigarette cases are of an excellent quality and brilliant beauty - especially his enamel work with the phantastic graphic patterns. Frequently his cases are provided with fuses - a highly fashionable accessory at the time of origin.




A hard to find so-called "Alliance" case, which was usually provided at the wedding between two influential families, with the respective two coat of arms of these families.




A tinder cord and match compartment with striker plate cigarette case





A typical trompe l'oeil cigarette case, despicting cigars packed in a waved bark basket, provided with all the tax and price tags usually these packings bear.
Please note the not often seen highest silvercontent of 91 Zolotniki - only used on outstanding objects.





Enjoy
Zolotnik

[Qrt.S]

Nice boxes, but what a shame but the last box has fake marks. In the hallmark the St Petersburg's coat of arms looks like a ridiculous "asterisk" and has changed place with the fineness mark. Since you, dear Zolotnik, is so eager of knowing the source, here is one: The mark on the picture below is listed in a list of fake marks i Ivanov's book on page 240. Almost the same mark appears in the second last picture as well but here with 84.

I duly hope you don't assume this maker's mark KB (Cyrillic KV) wold be Karl Werlin? His working period was 1871-1878 and at that time the hallmark called "dvoinik" (double) was not even invented. The dvoinik was implemented not earlier than in 1882-1899. Below you will find two variations:

[Zolotnik]

The headline reads: Albrecht, Kirill (Karl) not Karl Werlin! Maybe you missed that or just wanted to unload some more of your unwanted, off topic basic knowledge.
Ivanov and his books are considered very critical in the collector´s world (to put it kindly). I have no problem to accept/notice your sources and opinion. In my collection I have several St. Petersburg townmarks looking more like stars than anchors - that is the way it is - nobody cares much - there are many more weighty evidences. All together give a picture - right or wrong. I am just too lazy to go through all the several hundred items to satisfy your curiosity. Stay with Ivanov - that is all you need.

Here is one mark:



Maybe all my objects are fakes - who cares - I am just a lowly collector and not a hardcore expert like you.

[Zolotnik]

To t prevent that you start foaming, here is the explanation:
The thread is about Karl Albrecht. 3 authentic cases from him. One from an obscure KB who does not fit into the line. A fake travelling through every auction house and auction site since month. Experts know what they see - newbees have not the money to buy it.

As I know your permanent bite reflex, I added the case just to trigger you. It worked!
Since the forum apparently have virtually no members,except onetime visitors who want to examine their fakes, we are probably the only two that deal with Russian silver in ernest, everyone according to his taste or scope Therefore, the exchange of informations, images and data will remain very one-sided.
You can sleep well - yes it is a fake!

[Qrt.S]

Interesting indeed hahahaa, but somehow I get the impression that it wasn't a fake before I revealed it by showing some real proofs. When facing facts it is always better to admit than deny? However, it is a very good fake anyway.
By the way, I didn't know that you collected fakes, do you? I thought the opposite.

[Zolotnik]

If you would give the diverse internet sites a more close attention you would have known the case at once. But it is a big success that you admit that the fakes get really excellent since a year or so. These fakes being sold with big success worldwide - maybe not in Finnland - the people are too clever - they detect fakes from 100 meters.....

[Qrt.S]

Here some more information regarding Carl/Karl Julius Albrecht also Kirill Fyodorovich. He was born in 1836. Since 1877 merchant of the 2nd order, court supplier and known active to 1908. His silver shop was located on Bolshaya Morskaya Uliza 17 in StP. Married to Sophia Montonen. He also dealt with copper-ware.