A1 N W and other marks not found...please help

[Colleen]

I would appreciate any help you may have...4-piece tea set with marks I cannot find and too small to photo.

A1 in a square box

Letters J H in Italics with N in a circle and W in a circle beside

the number 683

a crown with the Roman Numeral IV above the letters EP

can you help me? I am new at this and am most appreciative.

thank you...Colleen

[2209patrick]

That is a silverplate mark (EP stands for ElectroPlated) used by John Harrison, Sheffield, England. I believe he used this mark from 1843 to 1865.

Regards,
Pat.

[Colleen]

Hi Pat,

thank you so much. ..I appreciate your time. do you have any advice as to how to find marks that do not fit the usual profile? I have several books, but have found it hard to find my way through them.

thanks again, Pat

Colleen

[2209patrick]

You are welcome Colleen.
Don't feel bad, even experienced collectors and dealers run into marks they can't decipher. That's the great thing about this site. People from all over the world post here sharing their knowledge.

Here's a website that might help you in the future with British silverplate marks. Not all the marks listed have pictures.

http://www.silvercollection.it/silverpl ... marks.html

Pat.

[Colleen]

Thanks, Pat

Sorry I took so long to write back. The site you mentioned is very helpful.

Have you heard of the new book on silver marks? "All About Antique Silver with International Hall marks"

I have ordered it ...and look forward to using it as well...

Again, thanks..and Happy Thanksgiving

Colleen

[2209patrick]

Hello Colleen;
I have not read that new book, but it sounds interesting. People often ask what silver books should they buy when they first get interested in silver. That all depends on what country they are located in and what they are interested in.
Another factor is what they want from the book. In the beginning we seem to want books with lots of maker's marks. Some books describe marks from many countries, but don't have any makers marks. Later, you might start buying books with few marks, but a lot of history information on the silversmiths or companies.
My top four books for someone just starting out and living in the USA are:
- Dorothy Rainwater's "Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers" (be sure to get the 4th edition to start out with).
- Stephen G.C. Ensko's "American Silversmiths and Their Marks" (mostly coin silver).
- Tardy's "International Hallmarks on Silver".
- Jackson's "Silver and Gold Marks", Edited by Ian Pickford. (British Hallmarks). Pocket edition is good too.

Hope you have a happy Thanksgiving too.
Pat.