Eng. Hallmark Help w/ Silver Telescope Cane Head

[JackSmith]

Greetings. I'm glad I found this forum.

I bought an antique repousse cane handle that is also a small telescope.

I think the cane head image is too large for the forum, but you can see it at:

http://www.peoplespace.com/Silver/HCaneHead.jpg

From the hallmarks, I think it's English, from Birmingham and made it 1891 (as opposed to 1815). But I can't find the Hallmark yet. It looks like it's three letters... something like MHI.

If someone would help confirm my initial assumptions and then help with the silversmith, I'd really appreciate it. And finally, if I'm only to buy one book as a reference on English silver (with a fairly limited budget), which one would you recommend? In the meantime, I'll hit the library again and continue my search.

Many thanks,
jack

[Waylander]

Your dating is right - the piece is from 1891. I confess I don't know the maker - not unusual as most of the regular references are fairly atrocious post 1850. For a good cheap reference, try:

Title: Jackson's Hallmarks English, Scottish, Irish Silver and Gold Marks From 1300 to the Present Day Pocket Edition
Author: Ian Pickford
ISBN: 1851491694
Price: 6 pounds / 19.00 US dollars


Waylander

[JackSmith]

Many thanks for the information! This forum is a great resource and I greatly appreciate you taking the time to reply so quickly. And thanks to the Admin to for fixing my photos.

take care,
jack

[JackSmith]

I used to be an editor... so I have to say I meant:

And thanks to the Admin "TOO" for fixing my photos.

jack