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This is a sample of silverplate flatware from Meriden Britannia, specifically 1847 Rogers Brothers A1 in the Newport/Chicago pattern (1879-). It bears a two-letter personalization (S.P.) in script which seems mundane at a glance. Yet close inspection shows that the graver's work has about twice as much fine detailing as might be expected for silverplate made long after this type of dotting work was more common on real silver objects. From what I've seen over time, such marking is usually a bit more crude using fewer prick points. Question 1...Is this excessive work for something as common as mass production silverplate in the late 1800's? Question 2....Could this actually be the result of applying the acid etching process to a repeatable design based on perforations (or however it was accomplished here) ?

Images before magnification, monogrammed on reverse panel:







Some further shots:







Even more ugly photos:

Not to beat an old horse, but I have noticed that, generally, monograms applied to this pattern are found on the front for topside display. This sample was oddly applied to the back, though this is not unheard of.