Pocket knife marks

[modemgirlz]

Could someone help me with these marks. I know I have seen them before. I have searches this site but maybe I am missing it. I would also like to know they year and artist, any info would help. Thank you for your help
http://img8.picsplace.to/img8/16/silver_024.jpg
http://img8.picsplace.to/img8/16/silver_009.jpg
http://img8.picsplace.to/img8/16/enlarg ... er_029.jpg
(admin photo edit - images too large - link only)
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[georgiansilver]

Beautiful fruit knife but could do with a closer look at the marks...any chance of a close up please? Thanks and best wishes. Mike
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[modemgirlz]

ty for your help Mike,
I added a picture of the marks. I hope this helps. I will describe them as well. There is a bird with wings spread, and he is looking to right right. There is a W or is it M? in the middle, and a women (monarch?). Thank you again for your reply and help :) Also, is this fruit knife, coin silver?
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[admin]

The marks on your handsome fruit knife are known as pseudomarks and were used in America on coin silver roughly through the first 3/4 of the 19th century. As far as I know, this example has not yet been attributed to a specific maker, but the piece was probably made in New York or Philadelphia around about the 1850's or so.
Regards, Tom
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[modemgirlz]

Tom, Thank you so much for the information about my friut knife. I have one more question. Could you please explain what pseudo marks are? I believe pseudo means, fake? Would that mean these are fake marks? Again thank you for your help.
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[admin]

Yes, pseudo means fake, but it really is a misnomer in this case. The term was coined because of their resemblance to English hallmarks and some confusion that is sometimes caused by the similarity. I don't think they were ever meant to deceive, but used to give the pieces a bit more cachet. An American silver historian, John McGrew has put much research into them and has published a book of in which he attributes many of these marks to specific makers.

Regards, Tom
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[modemgirlz]

Tom, Once again, ty so much for the information you have given me. I find all this information very interesting. I will see if I can get that book of John Mc Grews, I bet it would be very interesting to read. I would like to ask you one more question if you don't mind. How do you know when an item is of coin silver vs. sterling? By the age I know is one factor? I did read that coin was used to make silver items before 1870? As you can see I am a novice when it comes to silver. Thanks again for all your help
Kristina
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