silver cup, partial maker's mark is EJ

[archivist1325]

I'm new to this...if I've identified the rest of the marks correctly, this cup was made in 1853 in London during Queen Victoria's reign. This partial maker's mark looks similar to some on the site but not an exact match. Also I'm wondering about the '1' or 'I' and the scratched in numbers & letters. Would it be unusual for the cup to have been made in 1853 and engraved in 1869? Any help appreciated.

[silvermakersmarks]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

London 1853 is correct although it could have been made in 1854 as London date letters changed at the end of May in the following year. The maker's mark is that of Edward & John Barnard:



The scratch marks may be inventory, or possibly pawnbroker's, marks. A later engraving is not totally unusual; the goblet may have been completely plain before being engraved for its presentation.

Phil

[archivist1325]

Wow, that was fast! I hadn't noticed the C-E heading on the maker's marks, just the E-F one, so thank you. Interesting about inventory or pawnbrokers marks - I'd assume the former as we know where it's been all the time. Can you fill me in on the '311' and '1' marks?

[silvermakersmarks]

311 is probably a workshop design/pattern number and the I may be a journeyman's mark; i.e. the private mark of the workman responsible for the item. Both ideas are guesses based on what we see on other silver.

Phil