Letter from the secretary
February Newsletter, for the first time, does not contains an article or a "members' window" written by Giorgio 
Busetto. 
I'm particularly proud to present the qualified contributions supplied by other members that 
enrich our monthly newsletter. My hope is that many other contributions will follow and many other members 
will be available to share their knowledge on matters of common interest.
  
This month about 150 members, that haven't renewed their membership, will be cancelled and will not receive 
February Newsletter. ASCAS does not seek "great numbers of addressee", has no commercial 
objectives and will continue to send its Newsletters only to people demonstrating a real interest in its 
work. 
My thanks to the 250+ members that have renewed their 2007 membership and to the many that were so kind with 
their e-mails of wishes and encouragements. 
Many of them have been members since 2004 and, next April, ASCAS will celebrate its third anniversary!
  
ASCAS Newsletter was intended for reading on the screen. Its wide net of links and photo enlargements isn't 
suitable to be transferred on paper. Nevertheless, some of ASCAS members prefer to print their newletter 
and the results are ... pitiful. 
I'm not a professional webmaster and I'm unable to offer a " printable version " of this 
page. This month I've realized also a modified version of the newsletter, hoping to offer a better result 
if you try to print the page. 
Please, note that this isn't a " printable version " but only a modest attempt to offer 
another option to my readers. 
You may click on the following link (PRINT) and, if you wish, let me know your suggestions and what you think about it 
  
Giorgio Busetto 
ASCAS Secretary
				
				
					
						
						
						 
						Fredric Sinfield presents: 
						 
						A presentation from His Highness
						  
						 
						A gilded silver box containing a personal card 
						informing that the presentation was With Compliments 
						from His Highness the Maharawat of Partabgarh, 
						Partabgarh, South Rajputana 1935. 
						The decoration of this box was different to other types of embellishments used on box 
						lids and is known as theva or thewa work that is unique to Partabgarh in the Chittorgarh 
						district of India. There are differing stories of how this technique was developed, one 
						is that Nathu Soni invented the process but was imprisoned when he refused to impart his 
						secret to his ruler or the goldsmith Nathuni Sonewalla developed the process in the second 
						quarter of the 18th century.... 
 
						 
						
						click here
						 
						 
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						Steven P. Pody and Joanne Wiertella present: 
						 
						Romance in metal: When Love, Beauty, Devotion and Mass Production intertwined
						  
						 
						Valentine’s Day has, for more than six hundred years, signified that special time for 
						expressing one’s love. It originated in recognition of St. Valentine, a bishop martyred 
						in 270 AD. He was known for going from house to house, leaving food on the doorsteps of 
						the poor. 
                  Valentine’s Day became popular in England, Scotland and France, evolving in significance 
                  over the years. Chaucer and other early English poets wrote of the country "notion"
                  that birds chose their mates on this day...... 
						 
						
						click here
						 
						 
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				Welcome to new ASCAS members:   
				James Baldwin - England UK 
            Amelia Bellora - Italy 
            Paule Bane - Australia 
            Angela Bowey - New Zealand 
            Joseph Bozzino - Malta 
            Pamela Coates - USA 
            Christine Cope - England UK 
            Denise Dominguez - USA 
            Wes Fultz - USA 
				Cameron Gardner - Australia 
            Faith Gardner - USA 
            Roberto Giansanti - Italy 
            Christopher Langdon - England UK 
            Mary Ellen Lawrence - USA 
				Valerio Martucci - Italy 
            Susan Miley - USA 
				Francine Proulx - USA 
				Marvin Sokolow - USA 
             
				
				 
				Members' Window # 34
				
				
				 
				
				Dariusz Malinowski writes: 
				...I'm trying to identify  the origin of a Russian sugar bowl with the mark as on the attached image. 
            Any help would be greatly appreciated. 
            Dariusz Malinowski (Poland) 
				
				 
				Ian Cook writes: 
				I would like to send you the attached pictures of a pair of pepper pots that I picked up 
				on my travels. Although only silver plated, I thought that might spark some interest among 
				other members because of the rare base metal used. (Lead) 
            They do have seams, which apart from the base alloy used could perhaps point them to being of 
            OSP. Markings on the base are: 
            W.A.R 
            S.P LEAD 
            404 
            I have tried to research the maker W.A.R, through my documentation, but to no avail. 
            They are a beautiful design and stand 11cm high. Rather heavy as you can imagine each piece 
            weighs 266grms. 
            The screw tops seem very primitive and do not appear to be machine made. 
            I hope that fellow members can help me to identify and perhaps date the pieces. 
            Good luck to you and other members in 2007. 
            Best Regards 
            Ian
  
				
				 
				Wes Fultz writes: 
				I collect smaller items of silver and gold. I have a spoon that I would hope someone in your 
				membership would be able to identify. I think it is gold but am not sure. 
            Best regards 
            Wes Fultz
  
				
				 
				Victoria and Larry Sherlaw write: 
				We have two spoons with this unusual hallmark.  Can you please identify this hallmark, the 
				maker, and any other pertinent information you can give us.   
            Thank you 
            Victoria and Larry Sherlaw
  
				
				 
				Janet Rose and Kathy Lattin write: 
				We have a mystery item that I hope you can help us identify. The piece looks like a small 
				open handled backsaw, measuring 12 inches from the start of the saw to the end of the handle. 
				It appears to be silver plate with an elephant ivory handle. There are 4 marks - RR in a 
				square, an S within a shield, what appears to be a back to back RR or clover like image within a 
				double pointed shield and then an EP sideways in an oval. We are still searching to identify this 
				item and we would really appreciate any help you might give us.  
            Thank you.  
            Janet Rose and Kathy Lattin  
				
I believe that the maker is Richard Richardson, Cornwall Works, Sheffield but I'm unable to date your piece.
I do not know the use of this item and I trust in the support of ASCAS members to reply to your question
Giorgio Busetto
				 
				Gino Gatta writes: 
				 I found this item in the shape of a nut with WMF marks.
				It is high 24cm, wide 21cm and deep 13cm. I'm well aware that it isn't sterling silver but 
				silver plate but I do not know its use. 
            Any suggestion by ASCAS members would be greatly appreciated. 
            Gino Gatta 
  
				
				
				 
				Ruth Kusiowski  writes: 
				I am trying to find out who the artist is of this 1882 Russian silver sculpture.
				It has  84 mark with date 1882 and is signed by an artist unknown to me. It is 3"wide and 
				7 1/2" long and weighs about 690 grams. 
            Thank you in advance for your help. 
            Ruth Kusiowski  
				
				
				 
				
				  
				Replies to questions
				
					
						Leslie Gray receives this reply about 
						the  marks on her Fish Service
						
						( see January Newsletter)  
						  
				 there are two hypothesis for this mark: 
						Fredric Sinfield writes:
						Regarding Leslie Gray's inquiry.
                  John Sherwood & Sons were Birmingham platers active during the second half of the 
                  19th century.
                   
                  Fred.
 						Hymie Dinerstein writes:
						J S & S was probably James Savory & Sons and is E.P.   A Law was passed in  
						1894, that made illegal the use   of marks that looked like the  Sheffield marks that 
						resembled the Crown  or the lion  or any other government Hallmarks and was considered  
						in the same way as counterfeiting
                   
                  Hymie Dinerstein.                 
 						Dorothea Burstyn writes:
						inquiry by Leslie Gray: the mark shown was used by John Sherwood & Sons, 
						Birmingham 1858-1896. Maybe the animal, which slightly resembles a beaver, might have 
						suggested to you a Canadian connection 
                  Dorothea   
 						
						 
						 
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						Joan Barrington receives this reply about 
						the  marks on her maker of this bowl and serving spoons
						
						( see January Newsletter)  
						  
				 for this mark there are three hypothesis: 
				 	Fredric Sinfield writes:
						Regarding Joan Barrington's inquiry. 
                  A check of the base of the bowl might reveal the maker who had John Grinsell & Sons 
                  of Birmingham supply the plated pieces in the last two decades of the 19th century. 
                  Regards, 
                  Fred.
 				      Hymie Dinerstein writes:
						JG &S is probably Joseph Gloster of Birmingham and this is silver plate 
                  Hymie Dinerstein.                 
						Maja Heynecke writes:
						reply to Joan: The markings sound like it could be Joseph Gilbert - Birmingham?  
						Not sure,I  would have to see the markings 
                  Maja 
						
						 
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						Alfonso Samayoa receives this reply about 
						Joseph Rodgers & Sons pieces
						
						( see January Newsletter)  
						  
				
				 	Hymie Dinerstein  writes:
						Rodgers sugar and Coffee pot are both English Electroplate - probably on Britannia 
						Metal, which was  the least expensive metal to work with and ca.1890 to 1914.  The 
						Cream Jug is American  Sterling of the same period. 
                  Hymie Dinerstein 	
						Fredric Sinfield writes:
						Regarding Joseph Rodgers & Sons Ltd inquiry from Alfonso Samayoa.
                  The star and cross continued in use after Joseph's sons joined the firm in
                  1871 up to about 1900. 
                  The '2900' would be a catalogue reference number for the various components of the tea or 
                  coffee set. 
                  Hymie Dinerstein
                   Maja Heynecke  writes:
						reply to Alfonso - Joseph Rodgers & Sons 
                  This tea set is EPNS, probably hotelware. The marking and pattern suggests it was made 
                  between 1840 and 1940. 
                  The background on JR&S is as follows: 
                  Starting life in 1724 (although other sources suggest 1682), Joseph Rodgers & Sons 
                  are one of the longest established cutlery companies in  Sheffield. 
                  They were granted the Royal warrant in 1821 by George IV, this accolade continuing through 
                  the reign of Queen Victoria and they proudly display their "by appointment" on 
                  knife blades. They produced a large amount of silver and plated flatware, but are 
                  particularly well known for the fine quality of their knives and carving sets. 
                  Joseph Rodgers & Sons were taken over in 1975, but their name and trademarks are still 
                  used. 
                  Maja
						
						 
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						Michael Kaufman receives this reply about 
						his pieces
						
						( see January Newsletter)  
						  
				
				
				 	Hymie Dinerstein  writes:
						the server is either American or Canadian  electro plate, probably made after 1945,  
						and the inkstand with the rubbed marks was  made in Birmingham around 1930. 
                  Hope this information is helpful 
                  Hymie Dinerstein
                  Maja Heynecke writes:
						reply to Michael: the ink well looks like sterling silver. the markings are 
						unclear.  The middle marking of the three grouped together looks like a lion passant, 
                  which denotes the item is sterling.  The left marking on those same three looks like it 
                  might be the marking for Sheffield or Newcastle, but they are not clear on the photograph. 
                  Maja
                   	
						
						 
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						Wayne Robbins receives this reply about 
						his cheese scoop with unknown marks
						
						(see January Newsletter)  
						  
				
				 	Maja Heynecke writes: 
						reply to Wayne: The cheese scoop could be made by William Brearly - 1863 - 1872. 
                  Not sure, need a pic of makers mark
						
 						
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				"A PAGE per MONTH" 
				In this column we present a page (one 
				page only) obtained from makers' brochures, books, auction 
				catalogs or whatever other printed paper, which may be of 
				particular interest for ASCAS members. 
				The images will be published at a "low resolution" level and for 
				private and personal use only
				This month ASCAS presents a page from the New Illustrated Catalogue 
				1907-08, The Gordon co., Bridgeport , Conn (image supplied by Joanne Wiertella)
				
           It's interesting the detail of item Number 975 - Trick Match Safe: 
         "Made of polished nickel, oxidized silver finish, embossed on both sides, oval shape. 
         Corrugated on two sides. The trick is that you can open it on four sides and it will never open 
         by itself, but opens easily when you know the trick."
         Who knows what the trick was?
				
				 
				"A WORD per MONTH" 
				In this column we presents an abstract 
				from a page of the "What is? Silver Dictionary"  
				courtesy of  
				
				
				 
				
					
						
 
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						CLOSE PLATING
						The 'close plating' is a method of applying a layer of silver foil to tinned steel 
						by heat fusion and burnishing. It was largely used for plating knives, scissors, spurs 
						and the like. The burnishing brought silver to a high finish by rubbing the surface with 
						a hard smooth object such as agate or other hardstone, a dog's tooth or very high grade 
						steel..... 
						
						more  | 
					 
				 
				
				 
				
				
				 
				 
				Closing our FEBRUARY 2007 edition of ASCAS 
				Newsletter I hope you have appreciated its content.  
				Your comments, suggestions and advice will be of great help. 
				 My thanks to Steven P. Pody (USA), Dorothea Burstyn (Canada), Ian Cook (UK), Hymie Dinerstein (UK), 
				Jayne Dye (USA), Wes Fultz (USA), Gino Gatta (Belgium), Maja Heynecke (South Africa), 
				Ruth Kusiowski, Janet Rose and Kathy Lattin (USA), Dariusz Malinowski (Poland), Victoria and 
				Larry Sherlaw, Fredric Sinfield (Australia), Joanne Wiertella (USA) 
  			  for their invaluable contributions. 
				 
				Giorgio Busetto 
				Secretary
				
				
					
						
						DISCLAIMER AND PRIVACY POLICY
						ASCAS is a community of people having a common 
						interest in antique silver. 
						It is a non-profit association without commercial links. 
						Membership is open to whomever has a true interest in 
						this subject matter. 
						ASCAS has no real property and no fees are requested nor 
						accepted from members. 
						ASCAS keeps in touch with its members only through 
						periodical newsletters, e-mails and web-site updating 
						and ignores and is not responsible for any other 
						activity pursued by its members. 
						Likewise, ASCAS is not responsible for opinions, 
						evaluation and images displayed, and in any form 
						published or supplied for publication, by its members 
						who, in any case, maintain the property of their works 
						and assure the respect of national and international 
						legislation about Intellectual Property. 
						ASCAS does not have the full addresses of its members (only 
						town, country and e-mail address are requested for 
						membership). 
						ASCAS handles and protects with care its members e-mail 
						addresses, will not disclose the addresses to third 
						parties, will use this information only to reply to 
						requests received from members and for communications 
						strictly related to its activity. 
						These rules are expressly accepted by submitting the 
						membership request. 
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