Help Identifying

[aquaman721]

I believe this is Birmingham with the anchor and the a shows it was certified in 1900 with the "a". I am having an issue making out the hallmark. It looks like it has wear around the 1st letter. I believe it may be CH but am not sure. Any help would be appreciated.

[url]http://i754.photobucket.com/albums/xx182/aquaman721/33ed6568-ae7c-40f3-b816-dfe8efdca403.jpg[/url]

[url]http://i754.photobucket.com/albums/xx182/aquaman721/40ca387c-c510-4497-a781-e43fb122bfd2.jpg[/url]

(admin photo edit - images too large - link only - see Posting Requirements )

[WarrenKundis]

Does appear to be C.H which 925 identifies as Charles Humphries, Birmingham, registered 1907. Silver Makers Marks UK only describes it as C.H active between 1899-1906. Let's see if Phil can clarify that for us.

Warren

[silvermakersmarks]

Humphries's mark, according to Kenneth Crisp-Jones in his book, Silversmiths of Birmingham and Their Marks, 1750-1980, is C.H in an oval punch so that doesn't quite tie up with the mark illustrated here on this site which appears to be in a rectangular punch. Warren notes that I have the dates seen by me for C.H in rectangular punch as 1899-1906; items seen on include a tea service so, as this mark appears to be on a tea kettle, I suspect that it may very well be the same, but it is not necessarily Charles Humphries, although it may be an earlier mark of his.

Phiil

[aquaman721]

Thanks for the help. I will continue doing research and if I find out more let all of you know what I find out.

[dognose]

Differentiating between some maker's marks is not always easy. Knowledge of what a particular workshop made, old catalogues, advertisements, etc. can be a tremendous help sometimes in pinning down a particular maker.

During the period 1890-1920, the Birmingham Assay Office received registrations from in excess of 4,500 manufacturers, who entered over 15,000 marks during that period.

Trev.