1902 Powell bottle stopper

[jok23]

Here is a bottle stopper made for a James Powell and Sons decanter in 1902. The makers mark ends in A.S and I have been trying to find out who made it. The JP&Ss silver mark was not in use until 1903 and before that date Powell did not make its own silver. I was wondering if anyone knows who made this stopper.
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg31 ... 0_0746.jpg
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg31 ... 0_0745.jpg

[MCB]

The firm of James A Smith & Sons registered a mark JAS in 1884 which had pellets at the centre point between the initials. The mark you show here may be the remains of one of these as the firm were stick mounters and specialised in military swagger sticks and umbrellas.

It isn't beyond possibilitiy that they also supplied bottle stoppers although it is equally possible that the one shown here is a conversion of a stick mounting.

The background information for this can be found in John Culme's book on London Gold & Silversmiths Jewellers & Allied Trades 1838-1914, Volume I page 423 for the history of the firm and Volume II item 8477 for an image of the mark.

In the narrative history by John Culme written in 1987 it is mentioned that the successors to James Smith & Sons were James Smith (Umbrellas) Ltd who at that time still traded at 53 New Oxford Street London WC 1. If this is still the case perhaps they might be able to say if this is one of their pieces and what it was originally made for.

Mike