ENGLISH ELECTROPLATE SILVER MARKS AND HALLMARKS OF ENGLISH SILVER PLATE

WITH THE ADDITION OF OTHER BRITISH, SCOTTISH AND IRISH MAKERS

created by Giorgio B. owner of www.silvercollection.it ©

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The two common forms of plated silver are Sheffield plate and silverplate/electroplate.
Sheffield Plate is a cheaper substitute for sterling, produced by fusing sheets of silver to the top and bottom of a sheet of copper or base metal. This 'silver sandwich' was then worked into finished pieces. At first it was only put on one side and later was on top and bottom.
Modern electroplating was invented by Italian chemist Luigi V. Brugnatelli in 1805. Brugnatelli used his colleague Alessandro Volta's invention of five years earlier, the voltaic pile, to facilitate the first electrodeposition. Unfortunately, Brugnatelli's inventions were repressed by the French Academy of Sciences and did not become used in general industry for the following thirty years.
Silver plate or electroplate is formed when a thin layer of pure or sterling silver is deposited electrolytically on the surface of a base metal. By 1839, scientists in Britain and Russia had independently devised metal deposition processes similar to Brugnatelli's for the copper electroplating of printing press plates.
Soon after, John Wright of Birmingham, England, discovered that potassium cyanide was a suitable electrolyte for gold and silver electroplating.
Wright's associates, George Elkington and Henry Elkington were awarded the first patents for electroplating in 1840. These two then founded the electroplating industry in Birmingham England from where it spread around the world.
Common base metals include copper, brass, nickel silver - an alloy of copper, zinc and nickel - and Britannia metal - a tin alloy with 5-10% antimony.
Electroplated materials are often stamped EPNS for electroplated nickel or silver, or EPBM for electroplated Britannia metal.

	NAYLOR, CLARK & CO Birmingham Partners were William Naylor and William Clark (possibly brothers in law) listed in Francis White Trade Directory 1875 as Naylor Clark & Co in Vittoria St. William Naylor (born c1836, formerly Long Sutton, Lincolnshire) lived in Hagley Road and William Clark in Charlotte Road, Edgbaston. William Naylor was married with Laura Clark (Sutton Bridge, Lincs). Possibly the firm used the trade mark AUSTRALIAN SILVER
	JOHN NEAL London A retail jeweler business active at Edgware Rd, London from 1852 until c. 1880
	NEEDHAM, VEALL & TYZACK Sheffield Active at Eye Witness Works, Milton St (1889-1925), Nimrod Works, Eldon St (1889-1905), Glamorgan Works, Pond St and Pyramid Works, Reed St and Ceylon Works, Thomas St, Sheffield (1905-1925).The firm was converted into a "Ltd" in 1897. The firm used the trade marks WITNESS, BURMA SILVER, EYE WITNESS. The trademark belongs to Taylors of Sheffield who took over the trademark in the 1920s
	SHARMAN D. NEILL SHARMAN D. NEILL LTD Belfast A retail business active since 1884 at Donegall Place, Belfast and at Edgware Rd, London from 1852 until c. 1880. In 1909 the firm was converted into a Ltd. Sharman Dermott Neill was a descendent of Robert Neill, who in partnership with Henry Gardner, advertised 'Telescopes' in 1810. Sharman D. Neill Ltd is still active at 7-9 Royal Avenue, Belfast
	ELLIS NEWTON Birmingham retailed in Belfast by Sharman D. Neill

	CHARLES EDWARD NIXON Sheffield Active at St Wolfram's Works, 185 Rockingham St, (1881-1885) and 226 Brookhill and 103 Napier St, Sheffield (1886-1897)
	JOHN NODDER & SONS Sheffield Active at 188 Rockingham St (1863-1864), Taranaki Works, Dunfields (1864-1868) and 138-140 New Edward St (1868-1889), 226 Brookhill (1889-1904). The firm was converted into a "Ltd" in 1897. The firm used the trade marks: OSMINIUM SILVER and NODDERS SILVER
	THE NORTHERN GOLDSMITHS THE GOLDSMITHS CO Newcastle-upon-Tyne A jeweller's and retailer's business opened in Newscastle in 1778. Today the style "Goldsmiths" is active in 170 showrooms in the UK. The firm received three Royal Warrants. Trade marks used: CARDINAL PLATE and DUCAL PLATE
	NORTON & WHITE Birmingham Newhall Street, Birmingham
	JOHN NOWILL & SONS Sheffield Active in Nowill's Cutlery & Plate Works, Scotland St, Sheffield (1864-1950) and in Trimils Works, 87 London Rd, Sheffield (1950-1965). The firm was converted in a "Ltd" in 1928
	WILLIAM R. NUTT W.R. NUTT & CO Sheffield Active at Wentworth Works, Burgess St, Sheffield (1878-1891). In 1892 became W.R. Nutt & Co
	OLIVER & BOWER LTD Sheffield Active at Howard Street, Sheffield and Hatton Garden, London
	THOMAS OTLEY & SONS Sheffield Thomas Otley (having, possibly, some connection with Richard & Thomas Otley), active at Lambert St (1861-1864) and at Meadows Works, 33 New Meadow St (1865-1872). In 1872 the firm became Thomas Otley & Sons (until 1911)
	CHARLES OWEN CHARLES OWEN & CO OWEN BROTHERS Sheffield Active at 92 Wellington St (1853-1854), Wellington Works, 130 West St (1855-1860) and 3-7 Eldon St, Sheffield (1861-1863). The firm became Charles Owen & Co in 1863 at 3-7 Eldon St. (until 1871) and at 12 Baker Hill (1872-1878). In 1878 the firm changed to Owen Brothers until 1888, trading also as James Owen
	WILLIAM PADLEY & SON Sheffield Formerly Padley, Parkin & Staniforth. Active at 57 Burgess St (1876-1882), Surrey St, (1883-1890), 8-2 Howard St (1891-1903), Meadow St (1904-1911). Converted in 1900 into a "Ltd"
	WILLIAM PAGE & CO Birmingham Firm established in 1834. A William Page & Partners Ltd was present in Sheffield
	PAGE KEEN & PAGE PAGE KEEN & PAGE LTD Plymouth Active as goldsmiths, silver smiths, jewellers and watchmakers at 17 George Street and, after WWII, at 87 Mutley Plain, Plymouth. The founder of the business was James Andrew Page, but the firm derives its name from the partnership (1871) of James Andrew Page (1811-1898) with Henry Keen (1822 - 1886) and James Hearder Page (son of James Andrew Page, dead in 1918). After 1913 the business was continued by Reginald George Page and James William Frederic Page. The business was still operating at number 87 Mutley Plain in the 1970s but then either closed down or was merged into another jewellers, possibly Bowden & Sons
	JOSEPH PARKER & SONS Sheffield Active as Joseph Parker in Pool Works, Burgess St (1858-1863) and at 60 Arundel St, Sheffield (1863-1872). The firm changed its name to Joseph Parker & Sons in 1872 and was active in Alexandra Works, 58-60 Trinity St, Sheffield until 1935
	E.H. PARKIN & CO E.H. PARKIN & CO LTD Sheffield E.H. Parkin & Co active at 212 Brookhill (1919-1928) and 122 Scotland St, Sheffield (from 1929). Converted into a "Ltd" in 1940 trading also as Parkin & Co. The firm used the trade mark CAMEO
	RICHARD PARKIN RICHARD PARKIN & SON Sheffield Richard Parkin (formerly Thomas & Richard Parkin) active at 30 Pond Hill (1836-1853). Became Richard Parkin & Son in 1853. Active in 1857 at 42 Campo Lane, Sheffield as Britannia Metal and Electro plated goods makers
	PARKIN & MARSHALL Sheffield Active at Telegraph Works, 23 Furnival St, (1770-1892), Sylvester St, (1893-1914) and Milton St, Sheffield (1915-1924). The firm started electroplating in 1861. The firm used the trade mark XL ALL and SHARP EDGE
	PEARCE & SONS Melton Mowbray - Leicestershire Active at 29 Sherrard Street, Melton Mowbray - Leicestershire. Acting as retailers of Atkin Brother and Roberts & Belk items
	PEMBROOK & DICKINS Birmingham W.G. Dickins, silversmiths and electroplate manufacturers, trading as Pembrook & Dickins, 43 Hall Street, Birmingham
	H. PERRY & CO Birmingham (possibly)
	JACKSON PETFIELD Sheffield Active at Havelock Works, Walker St, Wickes (1878-1881). Succeeded to Harrison & Wilson Petfield (1876-1877)
	H PHILLIPS Aldershot, Hampshire
	PINDER BROTHERS PINDER BROS LTD Sheffield Active at 142 Rockingham St (1885-1892), 48 Garden St (1892-1940), Sheaf Plate Works, Arundel St (1940-1950), 87 London Rd (from 1950). The firm was converted into a "Ltd" in 1923. The business of silversmiths and electro-platers was opened in 1877 by the brothers Thomas Griffith Pinder and Charles Edward Pinder (Court 2, Headford Street and at 2 Fitzwilliam Lane in 1882). They were the sons of George William Pinder (journeyman or craftsman who worked for several firms) and Ellen Nodder (daughter of John Nodder, a metal smith of Furnace Hill). The firm used the trade mark ACADEM PLATE
	JAMES PINDER & CO Sheffield Active at Colonial Plate Works, 12-14 Carver St, Sheffield (1877-1894)
	H.V. PITHEY & CO London Harold Vyvyan Pithey trading as H.V. Pithey & Co established his business c. 1903 at 26 Great Pulteney St, Soho, London. In 1912 a branch was opened at 36 Northampton St, Birmingham under the style Jarvis & Co. The business was involved in bankruptcy proceedings in c.1923
	HENRY HODSON PLANTE Birmingham H.H. Plante & Co was established in 1857 at 55 Frederick St, Birmingham. The firm was registered in 1897. There would be appear some connection between Henry Hodson Plante and: Hirons, Plante & Bourne (until 1878), Hirons, Plante & Co (until 1882), Harwood, Plante & Harrison (until 1886), Harwood & Plante (until 1892). Henry Hodson Plante was also partner in Plante & Bannister (1906-1907) and H.H. Plante (1907- 1980c.)
	A E POSTON & CO LTD Birmingham Active c. 1930-1960. The firm used the trade mark LONSDALE PLATE
	THE POTOSI SILVER CO Birmingham Potosi Silver Co (manufacturers of electro-plated wares) owned, from 1878, by Levi & Salaman. In 1885 was opened a very large factory in Newhall street, known as the Potosi Works. The "Eagle" mark of The Potosi Silver Co was seen on silver plate bearing the marks of Barker Brothers and William Adams Inc.
	JOHN HENRY POTTER Sheffield John Henry Potter, 124 Rockingam St., 1884-1893. Rockingam Works, 65-71 Division St. 1893-1940. The firm became J.P. Potter & Sons Ltd in 1922. The firm used the trade mark SILVA
	ARTHUR PRICE ARTHUR PRICE & CO ARTHUR PRICE & CO LTD Sheffield The firm was established by Arthur Price in Aston, near Birmingham, on 3rd October 1902. Arthur Price remains a family run business today, now managed by Simon Price. The firm benefits of two Royal Warrants - by Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Prince Of Wales. The firm used the trade marks ARDEN PLATE and STEPHENSON PLATE
	PRIESTLEY & MOORE LTD Sheffield Cutlers and silversmiths in Sheffield. The firm used the trade mark VALIANT PLATE
	THOMAS PRIME PRIME & SON Birmingham Firm established in 1818 by Thomas Prime. In 1849 the firm advertised that "...Electro Deposition of Silver, Gold, &c. by the Agency of Magnetic Machinery was brought to practical perfection by him..." on White Metal, on Steel and in Superior German Silver. The firm was active at the Patent Magneto Plate Works, 18 and 19 Northwood Street, Birmingham with other premises at 49 Salisbury Square, Fleet Street, London. In 1851 he was joined by his son Thomas Teritus Prime trading as Prime & Son
	ROBERT PRINGLE ROBERT PRINGLE & CO ROBERT PRINGLE & SONS London Established by Robert Pringle(I) in 1835, a jeweller who had moved to London from Perth in 1820.Later the corcern was passed to his son Robert Pringle (II) and the firm moved to Wilderness Row, Clerkenwell. In 1881 extensive additions and alterations were made to the premises, subsequently known as Wilderness Works. The firm became Robert Pringle & Co in 1882, Robert Pringle & Sons in 1899 and Robert Pringle & Sons (London) Ltd in 1931.
	PRYOR TYZACK & CO (possibly) Sheffield Active at Granville St (1860-1861), 80 Division St (1862-1863). In 1863 the firm changed to Beame Pryor & Tyzack

E.P.N.S. (Electroplated Nickel Silver) and EPBM (Electroplated Britannia Metal) are the most common names attributed to silver plate items. But many other names are used for silver plate:
EPWM - Electroplate on White Metal, EPC - Electroplate on Copper, Argentium Argentine Plate, Argentum, Ascetic B. B. S. Ltd, Ashberry, Austrian Silver, Brazilian Silver D&A Trademark of Daniel and Arter, Buxbridge - Trademark name of JT&Co., Electrum, Encore TT&Co Trademark of T. Turner, Exquisite, HH&S , I.XL Geo. Wostenholm & Son, Insignia Plate, JB&S EP A1, JD&S = John Dixon & Sons, K & TL , M&W Mappin and Webb, N.S. New Silver, Nevada Silver D&A Trademark of Daniel and Arter, Norwegian Silver; Trademark of WG&S, Pelican Silver JGNS, Potosi Silver N&S WP, RN&S EP Neill, Silverite = Trademark of W P & Co , Sonora Silver = Trademark of Walker and Hall, Spur Silver = Trademark of E B & Co for Edwin Blyde & Co, Stainless N. S., Stainless Nickel, Stainless Nickel Silver, Venetian Silver - Trademark of Deykin & Sons, WF&SS EP

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