help please (4 hallmarks on a large silver tray)

[syhg99]

If anyone could help me identify these 4 hallmarks on a large silver tray. Thank you very much.

[Theoderich]

http://www.925-1000.com/dlLondon.html

[larkfield]

I believe the four marks shown are 1. Sponsors mark - Sydney Bellamy Harman, 2. Town mark - Lions Head Erased for London, 3. Britannia standard silver mark, 4. Date Letter for 1903.
Underneath the London mark you have part of another mark. Is this anything to do with the tray.

[Theoderich]

the "h" is London 1903
but the Lions Head and Britannia looks like ~1730

the mark underneath is a Part of the 4. mark - "h"

[dognose]

Hi,

Sydney Bellamy Harman's business, Harman & Co. Ltd., amalgamated with Lambert & Co. in 1916, to become Harman & Lambert.

Mention can be found here:
viewtopic.php?t=15243

Trev.

[Qrt.S]

Your photo is a collage of several photos. I would like to see the tray and a picture where all four marks can be seen.
The Britannia standard was in used between 1696 and 1720. The Britannia mark replaced the lion and the lion's head erased the crowned leopard's head. The date letter h in neither this font nor shield shape is not represented during the mentioned period, it must be from another piece?

To me the lower case h resembles London 1783, 1823 and especially Chester 1758. London's 1903 has also a different shield.

[dognose]

Hi,

This is a common misconception, the Britannia Standard is still an authorised alternative standard and will be found in conjunction with date letters from its introduction in 1697 until the present day.

Trev.

[larkfield]

Britannia standard silver has had a London Mark of Britannia and Lions Head erased (with variation) through the centuries, I believe the change to Leopards head was in 1975. What goes on in the 21st century I haven't got a clue.
1697 to 1720 was the period when Britannia was the only standard i.e there was no sterling standard. 1720 saw sterling quality standard back again as an alternative standard to Britannia.
I am happy with 1903.

[Qrt.S]

Interesting, never actually thought about the fact that the Britannia standard has been used alongside the Sterling standard to the present day. Seems to be rarely used, anyway. Had to look it up, and so it is, both standards are currently in force. Sorry for my "mistake" in my previous message, "it" happens.

However, the date letter's shape of the shield still not of the same as it should be for London 1903. Take closer look at the shield's lower "line", it should have 3 "bubbles".

[Theoderich]

However, the date letter's shape of the shield still not of the same as it should be for London 1903. Take closer look at the shield's lower "line", it should have 3 "bubbles".

I can see three bubbles. It is 1903.

[Qrt.S]

However, the date letter's shape of the shield still not of the same as it should be for London 1903. Take closer look at the shield's lower "line", it should have 3 "bubbles".

I can see three bubbles. It is 1903.

Yes of course there is, but there are no "bubbles" in shyg99's photo of the h, that's my point

[dragonflywink]

Suspect it might be the difference in monitors, can see the three bottom lobes faintly on my laptop, quick check on a large hi-def flat panel monitor shows them quite clearly.

~Cheryl

[paris]

I opened the file in Photoshop and enlarged. The 3 bubbles are there.

[Qrt.S]

OK, if you "found" the missing bubbles, the case seems to be clear; 1903. Anyway, strange date mark still...what's in the upper right corner? Should it be there?

Suspicious mind of mine...

[dognose]

Hi,

No, it should not be there, this damage appears on all the marks, it looks like someone has tried cleaning them out with a steel implement.

Trev.