Cant identify this old Britannia hallmark on a tankard

[boldbadger]

Hi there, any help most appreciated, i have an old tankard with the following marks.



http://i45.tinypic.com/34j2hs2.jpg

[dognose]

Hi,

Welcome to the Forum.

That appears to be mark of Christopher Canner II (Grimwade No. 257). The mark was registered on the 30th May 1716.

Trev.

[boldbadger]

Thanks Trev, most appreciated and thanks for such a warm welcome and quick response. I'm farily new to silver, I collect antique cigarette lighters, but often have to buy lots that include other pieces, to get to the lighter I want, sometimes I get carried away in auctions and buy stuff I don't even collect!

I take it from your comment below that Grimwade is the 'bible' for silver collectors, hallmarks?
Seems to be an expensive book, at least on amazon

rgds
Duncan

[dognose]

Hi Duncan,

Arthur Grimwade's 'London Goldsmiths 1697-1837 Their Lives & Marks' records the maker's marks entered at the London Assay Office and their biographies during the period stated, it was first published in 1976, a second revised edition in 1982, and a third and final, revised and enlarged edition in 1990. As there is unlikely to be any further editions of this great work, we decided to record any new found information here on the forum at 925-1000.com. Updated information on well over 1,000 of those silversmiths recorded by Arthur Grimwade can be found here: Grimwade's Biographies ~ Updates

The Forum is not just for questions, if any of your lighters are made of silver (or gold), we would be delighted to see them.

Regards, Trev.

[boldbadger]

Trev,

I'd be delighted to. The main lighters I collect are sterling semi-automatics, mainly manufactured around the 1910-1930 period, these were built of the highest mechanical quality and were during a time as 'fire' became something everyone had on their person, (ie attached to silver fobs) and smoking use was exploding of course. They are all push button types, and mainly made in austria, france and germany, and in the UK, USA also. Ill post some pics when I next get my core collection out to care for. Most are fairly easlily dated obvioulsy, and many were not made by significant silver makers, but rather lighter makers using precious metals. Its also common to see the tax stamps on them.

Anyway, you have been most helpful, I can see you are a supreme expert in your field!

kind rgds
Duncan

[dognose]

Hi Duncan,

Please start a new topic for piece. Hopefully some additional information will follow.

We look forward to seeing your collection.

Regards Trev.