Tongs Edinburgh 1881 - MG&Co.???

[SilverSurfer]

Can anyone identify the maker of a pair of sugar tongs marked as follows?



I believe the maker's mark is MG&Co ("o" in superscript with a period or bar underneath), but it could be MC&Co. I can find an attribution for neither. Thanks for any info.

SS

[SilverSurfer]

BTW, note the serrations between each character of the maker's mark, indicating that this may have not been made by a single punch, but possibly by an assembled punch consisting of five separate pieces. I guess this might be expected from a small start up (and short lived) company. FWIW.

SS

[2209patrick]

I think the letters in your mark are MC & Co. Don't know who that is, but maybe administration can help us. Here's a page on this site comparing silver and silver plate marks. Under sterling hallmarks on the right side of page, second mark from top is your mark I believe (Edinburgh 1881-1882). Does administration know who used this mark ?
http://www.925-1000.com/platemarks.html

[admin]

Not offhand, but gimme a coupla days to go through the files and it may turn up.
Regards, Tom

[SilverSurfer]

Thanks, good find, Patrick. I appreciate this site and its contributors for both their expertise and ability to see well beyond what I may. Will be interested in Tom Admin's file research. Thanks again, both Patrick and Tom.

SS

[georgiansilver]

Just a thought....Mackay and Chisolm...traded as M&C but may have expanded to become Mackay,Chisolm and Company (MC&C) The period would be about right. This is subjective theory and would need confirmation but is plausible. Best wishes, Mike.

[SilverSurfer]

Thank you, Georgiansilver, for your take. I note that you have mentioned elsewhere on this site that you are currently without your printed references, and must rely on decay memory (and, by means of advancing age, I well know what that is about, though not so much with regards to the finer points of old silver, but more so in relation to all these strange people around me who claim to be my relatives and friends, and also how to feed myself). ;o) I am almost afraid to ask, but will close my eyes and barge in where angels fear to tread, and ask, is this a (hopefully) temporary condition? Thank you again for your assistance here and elsewhere, and best wishes for your continued silver support.

SS

[admin]

Hi All,
Finally tracked the file down. The mark image came from a pair of fiddle pattern forks with the engraved crest and motto of Clan Innes. They passed through my hands about five years ago and were attributed to Mackay, Chisholm & Co.. In all honesty, I can't remember how the attribution came about. I can't find any documentation of this company's existence and the attribution most likely came from the dealer who sold them to me. Sorry to come up empty.
Regards, Tom

[SilverSurfer]

Thanks, Tom, for your diligence. You didn't "come up empty". just perhaps minus a firm paper trail. But the info is worthwhile and appreciated, nonetheless.

SS

[georgiansilver]

Thanks Tom. Sort of nice to find a thory confirmed. Best wishes, Mike.

[2209patrick]

Thanks Tom, for taking the time to find that information.
Mackay & Chisholm were in business from roughly 1838 to 1910. I read somewhere that they also had a retail store. If this is true, that might have something to do with the different marks.

[dognose]

Apologies for raising the spectre of this old post, but as will be noted from the Edinburgh index at: http://www.925-1000.com/dlEdinburgh.html this mark has now been attributed to Mackay, Cunningham & Co.

James Mackay, a former apprentice of Alexander Gardner, formed his partnership with David Cunningham in c.1824 opperating from 40, South Bridge, Edinburgh. They became Mackay, Cunningham & Co. in the early 1850's and were based at 54, Princes Street. They were taken over by James Hardy & Co.Ltd. c.1912.


Mackay, Cunningham & Co. - Edinburgh - 1859


Mackay, Cunningham & Co. - Edinburgh - 1871

Trev.

[dognose]

Mackay, Cunningham & Co. - Edinburgh - 1891

Mackay, Cunningham & Co.'s premises are noted as being at 54, Princes Street from 1854-1871 and 62, Princes Street from 1871-1880.

Trev.

[SilverSurfer]

Just checking in and see yet another zombie thread (that is, raised from the dead). Thanks, Trev, for reviving this one with a great final answer.

SS