Written by John Bly, this book not only tabulates the hallmarks that enable the identification of silver items but also traces the history of English silver, describing some famous makers and provides hints on spotting fakes.
Thanks to the unique hallmarking system, it is possible to tell when, where, by whom, and with what quality of metal most pieces of silver and Sheffield plate were made. This compact, pocket-sized guide from Miller’s shows how to decipher this system, and to read the history behind the marks. A full introduction explains how to understand the marks and distinguish between silver, plate, and electroplate, followed by a look at all the marks of the major British, Irish, and American assay guilds. The pages are packed with lists of key manufacturers, designers, and patterns, and are supported by detailed glossaries. Full color photographs throughout of sample silverware and marks help to date and authenticate pieces.
Designed as the essential reference tool for appraisers, collectors and dealers of silverware, the Encyclopedia is an indispensable guide for anyone researching silver hallmarks, offering clear and wide-ranging reproductions of thousands of hallmarks from more than 60 countries and regions, past and present, on every continent. It is also clearly and logically organized into two volumes for ease of reference: in the first volume are hallmarks listed by visual type and category, fully cross-referenced to information in the second volume on country of origin (in order of importance), centre of assaying or making, date and silver standard marks, special marks such as import/export marks, and selected maker's marks. Vetted by an international team of experts, the Encyclopedia thus helps you to identify silver hallmarks quickly, easily and reliably. It also includes brief historical overviews of hallmarking in each country, a description of the hallmarking process, and a guide to identifying fake and forged marks. Practical, comprehensive and up to date, Miller's Encyclopedia of World Silver Marks is an invaluable aid to identifying silverware from around the world.
You dont have to know anything about hallmarks to use this book, its been designed to be a visual index. The absolutely unique feature of this book is that it will indentify the first mark you need The City Mark. Illustrated city marks are all on the fore edge of its pages. So you just flick the pages to match a mark on your silver to its illustration in the book from there its easy. The Jackson book uses a design where The City you need is presented as a Page Heading. So to use Jacksons book, you have first to know that the Anchor mark represents Birmingham or the Lion Head represents London etc. In Jackson, you need to know the City Name before you can look up its hallmarks system to date your silver.
Since first published in 1991 Pocket Jackson's, as it is most often called, has enjoyed enormous success and is constantly rated as a best seller in the Arts and Antiques category. During the last twenty three years important developments have taken place in the Hallmarking system. Most notably the introduction within Europe of a universally accepted system of marking has lead not only to the addition of new marks, but also, to a change of status of several historic marks. This edition brings up to the present day all the date letters and commemorative marks. It also includes the recently introduced marks for Palladium and a section illustrating the Assay Office identification marks of those countries that are signatories to the International Convention marking system. In addition and of importance are the changes made in the early cycles of Dublin date letters which result from recent research by silver scholars in Ireland. AUTHOR: Ian Pickford was born and educated in London and is a Freeman of both the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths and the City of London and a member of the panel of advisors on Antique Plate (Re: - Fakes and Forgeries) to the Goldsmiths Hall. He is the author of 'Silver Flatware: English, Irish and Scottish, 1660-1980', and editor of 'Jackson's Silver and Gold Marks of England, Scotland and Ireland', both published by the Antique Collectors' Club. He lectures extensively for NADFAS (National Association of Decorative and Fine Art Societies) and is a popular member of the television Antiques Roadshow team. SELLING POINTS: * First revised edition in more than 20 years, bringing it right up to date. * Contains more than 1,000 makers' marks listed alphabetically by mark * Comments as to rarity, value and the speciality of the maker * Best available pocket guide to hallmarks 1000 b/w illustrations