Weighted gorham?

[Dun]

I know this is gorham, but am not sure of the date. Is it 1874? Did Gorham weight things back then? It feels heavy. Also, what did they use to make the inside goldish?

[JLDoggett]

Dun,

That item should not be weighted, it is just a nice heavy piece of silver. As for the date I would have to check my book, but they did use pitch as filler in candlesticks and vases even back in the 1870's.

[admin]

http://www.925-1000.com/Gorham_Date_Code.html
Yes, 1874 would be right.

[silverport]

Hello Dun

You asked: «Also what did they use to make the inside goldish.»

I think you dont ask «why» - but in short: gilded inside was practice, e.g. Communion chalices. Maybe in yours case the mug - so it seems to me - was part of a present from a godfather to his godchild: knife, fork, spoon, mug and napkin ring. Mug's contents then was most times milk.

By time and while this mug was so often in use and cleaned that former gilded inside now looks goldish only.

1840 Elkington & Mason sell licenses for their invention: Galvano plating. 1852 John Gorham's Europe journey. 1874 the mug is made.

I think Gorham factory made 1874 gilded inside in galvanic - but that's now a question to factory historians and Gorham's archive.

Regards, silverport

[Dun]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate your time in helping to educate the "newbie"

[silverport]

Hello Dun

Additional remark:

If this mug was part of a baptize present; every body was once a child and remember spilled drinks.

Gorham prevented this problem a little bit by weight add.

Regards, silverport