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Hi, I have this fish serving fork with full London hallmarks. It is made by Gorham Manufacturing Co, the American firm who I believe had a factory in Birmingham. What is confusing me is that it appears to have two distinctive date letter marks. Has anybody come across this before, or is it quite a common occurrence? Are the date letters for two different hallmarking offices? Any help greatly appreciated.

The F is for "Foreign", i.e. imported by Gorham into the UK.

Hello

The letter »F«, which is in yours opinion a »date letter« too, as I know is struck on objects with only a little space area for the punches; and the signification of the letter »F« is »Foreign« = »Imported«.

The real »date letter« is the »i«, which stand for 1904 - a year, when another new system of »Foreign« or »Import« marks were introduced or came in force.

I don't know that Gorham in GB has had an own production facility?

Kind regards silverport

Yes, indeed they did produce silver and plated ware in England, but only for about five years.

Gorham was repesented in Great Britain, firstly by an agency in 1894 and then by opening showrooms at Ely Place, Holborn in 1904, this would be the likely source of techsol's fork.

In 1909 they took over the 'Sterling Works' at Barr Street, Birmingham, but ceased production upon the outbreak of the Great War in 1914.

Trev.

You may already know, but if not the pattern is Norfolk which is also known as Villa Norfolk. It appears that the pattern was introduced the same year as your hallmark, 1904.

Many thanks everyone for the replies.

If it indeed was produced over here, would it still be classed as foreign and therefore require the F hallmark?

F mark was only required for imported items and not any made in the UK.

Hello

On yours last question, you would find the answer very easy, if you read again the in the contributions explained facts:

I repeat: London year letter »i« = 1904.

»dognose« has already explained that the factory was in function by »Gorham« 1909-1914.

Now find please the confusing gap by yourself, and the correct clue; thank you!

Kind regards silverport

Wow silverport,
That seems a very patronising answer to an innocent question. Although it may seem an obvious question to 'experts' it is actually interesting to others
Regards
John

Hello »spobby«

Welcome to the Forum.

Indeed seems my brief answer to be »patronising«.

But please have comprehension there fore, that the contributors don't have all the time to repeat, repeat and repeat information which could be found very easily in »925-1000«.

Next to their contributions they have to do many other activities, e.g. research before they could make a sounded contribution.

But also their »normal live« must go on too; including to could relax - they are humans as you! Please don't forget this never more!

They, who are engaged in »925-1000«, donated in between since spring 2005 when »925-1000« has start, Millions of hours for you and others too!

I hope that you would get by time and while sufficient experience, how difficult some times it is, to make research.

Learning by doing; also by use of the many basic pages of »925-1000«; e.g. this one: http://www.925-1000.com/foreign_marks.html

Or by use of the Forums »Search« function.

Please let me know, when you’ve finished, to have read ALL pages and contributions, which are collected in »925-1000«.

It’s not a secret: I haven’t done this until yet.

I wish you a very fruitful collector’s life!

Kind regards silverport