English electroplate silver: marks and hallmarks of British silver plate: Si-Sz

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 on silver, or EPBM for electroplated Britannia metal.

SILVERPLATE MANUFACTURERS: MARKS' IMAGE & HISTORY

Aa/Az Ba/Bd Be/Bn Bo/Bz Ca/Cn Co/Cz Da/Dh Di/Dz Ea/Eo Ep/Ez Fa/Fh Fi/Fz Ga/Gn Go/Gz Ha/Hh Hi/Hz Ia/Jz Ka/Kz La/Lz Ma/Maq Mar/Mz Na/Nz Oa/Oz Pa/Pg Ph/Pz Qa/Rz Sa/Sh Si/Sz Ta/Uz Va/Vz Wa/Wh Wi/Wz Ya/Yz Za/Zz unk.#1 unk.#2 unk.#3 unk.#4

ALPHABETICAL LISTING OF SILVERPLATE MARKS

AA/AZ BA/BZ CA/CZ DA/DZ EA/EZ FA/FZ GA/GZ HA/HZ IA/IZ JA/JM JN/KZ LA/LZ MA/OZ PA/QZ RA/RZ SA/SZ TA/UZ VA/VZ WA/ZZ

|THE STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO SILVERPLATE MARKS| |UK FIGURAL TRADE MARKS| |UK TRADE NAME DIRECTORY| |ALPHABETIC SYMBOLS| |SILVERPLATE PSEUDO HALLMARKS| |DATING UK PATENT MARKS| |OLD SHEFFIELD PLATE| |ELKINGTON DATE LETTERS| |WALKER & HALL DATE LETTERS| |MAPPIN & WEBB DATE LETTERS| |EPNS - EPBM| |BRITANNIA METAL| |UNIDENTIFIED SILVERPLATE MARKS|

FREDERICK SIBRAY, J.F. HALL & Co
Sheffield
1878-1918 at Fitzwalter Works, 111-115 St. Mary's Rd, Sheffield. Became 'Ltd' in 1897

SILBER & FLEMING
SILBER & FLEMING LTD
London
Business established in 1854 by Nobel Hutchinson Fleming and Albert Marcius Silber (as junior partner). Fleming retired in 1876 and Albert Silber continued the business maintaining the name Silber & Fleming. The business was registered in 1880 at 56, Wood Street, Cheapside, London EC (sole proprietor Albert Marcius Silber, 1833-1887) qualifying in their illustrated pattern book as "Silversmiths, Electroplaters and Cutlery Manufacturers". The firm became a limited liability company in 1886 and was acquired in 1898 by Faudel Phillips & Sons.
PGS (Plated German Silver) is a generic mark used by various makers. A source assigns to Silber & Fleming the mark "crown, fleur de lys, PGS". Another source assigns to Silber & Fleming Ltd the mark "A M G into two shields and a circle".

R. SILK
Birmingham
close plater, Birmingham 1809

SILVER GUILD
a trademark of Kirk's Ltd

S.W. SILVER & CO
London
Active at Cornhill and Bond Street, London. Established in the 18th Century by Stephen Winkworth Silver as army and colonial agents

JOHN BARTLEET SILVESTER
Birmingham & London
Active (c.1872) at 11/12 Parade, Birmingham and 30 Holborn Ely Pl, London

B&J Sippel Ltd - Sheffield (courtesy Frazer Ley)

B & J SIPPEL LTD
Sheffield
Sipelia Cutlery Works, Cadman Street/Blast Lane, Sheffield. Founded in the 1930s by Benno (died 1946) and J. Sippel, two Jewish brothers relocated from Germany to Sheffield in 1931. The factory was still active in the 1950s (closed c. 1960/1970). The firm used the trade mark SIPELIA

William Jun & George Sissons - Sheffield & London

WILLIAM (JR) & GEORGE SISSONS
Sheffield & London
Active at 9 Eyre St and 75 St Mary's Rd, Sheffield

go to W & G SISSONS HISTORY AND MARKS

ALBERT SKINNER & CO
Sheffield
9 Eyre St: 1891-1893
217 Shoreham St.: 1894-1897

Slack & Barlow - Sheffield: trade name MATADOR

Slack & Barlow - Sheffield: trade name TRIUMPH SILVERPRIDE PLATE

SLACK & BARLOW
SLACK & BARLOW (SHEFFIELD) LTD
Sheffield
Founded in c. 1897 by Richard Slack and Edward Barlow. Active in the 1930s at 14 Sycamore St, Sheffield. In 1947 the firm became Slack & Barlow Sheffield Ltd using the trade mark SILVERPRIDE and its trade names MATADOR and TRIUMPH. In 1974 the firm was active in Silverpride Works, Matilda Street, Sheffield. The firm was dissolved in March 1994.

SLACK BROTHERS
Sheffield
active c. 1862 at Leicester Works, Sheffield

Slater Brothers Behive silver- Sheffields

SLATER BROTHERS
Sheffield
Active at 94 Scotland St (1884-1888), Beehive Works, 159-165 Fitzwilliam St (1889-1904), 105 Arundel St. Sheffield (1904-1911). The firm succeeded in 1884 to J.Slater & Son. BEEHIVE PLATE, BEEHIVE SILVER and VENTURE were the trade marks ((to note that the same Beehive trade mark was used by Gregory Brothers)

JOHN SMALLWOOD
Sheffield
Active 1823-1833 as "French Plater" at 26 Coleshill/ Foredrough Street/ 46 Navigation Street, Sheffield

N.SMITH & CO
Waingate - Sheffield
(Old Sheffield plate - mark entered 1784)

SMITH SEYMOUR LTD
Sheffield
The firm used the trade mark KENILWORTH

THOMAS SMITH
THOMAS SMITH & SON
Glasgow
Manufacturing silversmiths, electro-platers and gilders founded by Thomas Smith in 1851 who, from 1853, entered in partnership with his son as Thomas Smith & Son. Active at Dunlop Street until 1872 and later at 25 and 31, Queen Street. Thomas Smith died in 1886 and was succeded by his son as manager of the firm. Thomas Smith & Son participated with success to Glasgow Exhibition of 1865-66 and at the Edinburgh International Exhibition of 1886. Last mention in 1907-1908 Post Office Glasgow Directory.

R.& W. SORLEY
Glasgow
The partnership of Robert and William Sorley (watch and clock makers, gold and silversmiths, dealers in precious stones and antique silver), active in 1899 at 93 St. Vincent st. (formerly Buchanan st. and Argyle street). Later, William Steele entered in the partnership (c. 1909)

Southern & Richardson - Sheffield (courtesy Keith Saville)

SOUTHERN & RICHARDSON
Sheffield
Active in Don Cutlery Works at Doncaster St, Sheffield (1863-c.1905). Established as a cutlery firm, a more complete line of electroplated wares was added from 1887.

SPEAR & JACKSON
Sheffield
A partnership founded in 1830 by Alexander Spear and Sam Jackson. Active at Aetna Works, Savile St East, Sheffield. In 1985 the firm was bought by Neill Tools and renamed Spear & Jackson plc in 1995

SPILLER FRANCIS EDWARD
London
plater & cutler, active c. 1891 at 71 Newington Causeway SE, London

SPILLER ROBERT
London
Possibly a retailer active at 166 and 204 Upper st Islington N

Spittle & Heape - Birmingham: AFRICAN SILVER trademark

SPITTLE & HEAPE
Sheffield
Active c. 1882 at Tiger Works, 260 Icknield Street, Sheffield. The firm used the trade mark AFRICAN SILVER with a figural "SNAKE". The same trade mark was used by Hills, Menke & Co and Selig, Sonnenthal & Co (possibly)

Arthur Elwell Spurrier & Co - London & Birmingham

John Walter Spurrier - Spurrier & Co - London

SPURRIER & CO
JOHN WALTER SPURRIER & CO
London and Birmingham
Arthur Elwell Spurrier was active in 1883 at 35 Coleman Street, London (showrooms). In the same year A.E. Spurrier entered sterling hallmarks in London.
In 1890 Spurrier & Co were active at 14 George Street, Birmingham (works) and 42 Wool Exchange, Coleman Street, London (showrooms).
In 1892 Spurrier & Co was active at Holland Street Works (Birmingham) with showrooms at 13 George Street, Birmingham and 29 Coleman Street, London. In the same date Spurrier & Co advertised as owner of the JB&S trade mark (Jonas Bowen & Sons). A.E. Spurrier was succeeded by John Walter Spurrier (c.1895). In 1914 John Walter Spurrier & Co were listed at their silver, electroplate and cutlery showrooms at 15 Wood Exchange, Basinghall Street, EC

SPURRIER & CO: HISTORY & MARKS

WILLIAM SPURRIER
WILLIAM SPURRIER LTD
Birmingham
The business was established in 1844 by William Spurrier (Britannia Metal and electroplater, 5 Newhall Street, Birmingham). The firm was present with its products at the London Great Exhibition (1851) and International Exhibition (1862). In an 1858 advertisement William Spurrier is described as manufacturer of "Electro Silver Plate & Britannia Metal, 5 Newhall Street, Birmingham".
In the "1861 London Guide to Silversmiths Goldsmiths Jewelers Watchmakers Opticians" the firm is listed with Warehouse at 4, Barge Yards, Bucklersbury, E.C. London.
William Spurrier Ltd was active c. 1880/1884 at 81 Colmore Rw, Birmingham and Wool Exchange, Coleman Street, London

OLD IMAGES OF THE FACTORY

WILLIAM SPURRIER: HISTORY & MARKS

A 1858 advertisement of William Spurrier - Birmingham

1861 London Guide to Silversmiths Goldsmiths Jewelers Watchmakers Opticians

Spurrier & Cornforth - (possibly Birmingham)

SPURRIER & CORNFORTH
Birmingham
possibly a partnership of William Spurrier with Henry Cornforth both active as Britannia metal manufaturers and electroplaters at Newhall Street, Birmingham c.1864

MAURICE STABLES
MAURICE STABLES LTD
Sheffield
Founded in 1933 by Maurice Stables (1897 - 1970), became Maurice Stables Ltd in 1935. Active at 145 Eldon Street and later at Edward Street, Sheffield. Manufacturer of cutlery of all qualities and types. The firm used the trade mark STABLE BRAND and was liquidated at the death of the founder (1970).

E. STACEY & SON
E. STACEY & SONS
Sheffield
Ebenezer Stacey was the nephew of John Vickers (originator of Britannia metal industry). At Vickers' retirement (1836), Ebenezer entered in the partnership Rutherford, Stacey, West & Co which continued the use of Vikers' mark. In 1843 Ebenezer opened his own business at 40 Garden St, Sheffield. In 1857 the firm became E. Stacey & Son and later (possibly c.1870) E. Stacey & Sons. The partners were John Vickers Stacey and Arthur John Stacey. The partnership was dissolved by mutual consent on January 18, 1888. Later the business was taken over by Hodges Brothers, 20 Fitzwilliams St (1921-1934).

J.BERNARD STAGG
J.B. STAGG & SONS
Birmingham & London
J. Bernard Stagg, active at 54 Hockley Hill, Birmingham and 37/38 Hatton Garden, London

Stephenson & Sons - Manchester & Sheffield

Stephenson & Sons - Manchester & Sheffield: PALATINE PLATE trademark

Stephenson & Sons - Manchester & Sheffield (possibly)

STEPHENSON & SONS
Manchester & Sheffield
Founded by Henry George Stephenson in Barton Arcade, Manchester in 1868 as dealer of china and glassware. By the early 20th Century he was also at 24-26 St Anne's Square, Manchester as "Stephenson & Sons", goldsmith, silversmith, jeweller, antique dealer and marketing china, glassware and new silver plate (agents for Mappin & Webb up to 1912). Stephenson and Sons registered hallmarks at the Assay Offices in Chester, London, Birmingham and Sheffield. From 1912 the firm used on silverplate their own trade mark PALATINE PLATE. From 1900 to the present the Stephenson family continues the activity as H.G. Stephenson Ltd

R. STEVENSON & CO
Sheffield
Active at 27-29 Carver St, Sheffield (1894-1900)

STEVENSON & LAW
Sheffield
Active at Carver Street 103-105, Sheffield

ROBERT STEWART
Glasgow (possibly)

STOKES & SON
Melbourne (Australia)
A business founded by Thomas Stokes (c. 1857). Became Stokes & Martin (1873), Stokes & Son (c.1893), Stokes & Son Pty Ltd (1911) and Stokes (Australasia) Pty Ltd (1962).

BENJAMIN STOT
Birmingham
Old Sheffield Plate maker, active at Duke Street, Sheffield Park, Birmingham c. 1811.

STOWER & WRAGG
Sheffield (possibly)
Eyre Street, Sheffield. Active 1934 - 1967. Entered in 1931 a sterling silver hallmark in Sheffield Assay Office

HENRY STRATFORD
HENRY STRATFORD LTD
Sheffield
Active as William & Henry Stratford at 10 Surrey St (1855-1857) and 1 New Church St (1858-1878). Henry Stratford continued the activity solely at 92 Harwood St, Sheffield (1878-1930). From 1900 the firm became Henry Stratford Ltd

B. STREET & CO
Birmingham
Active c. 1916-1927

ELIZ.STURGES & SON
RICHARD FORD STURGES
Birmingham
Sturges & Son, manufacturers of Platina, British Plate and Britannia Metal wares, was the partnership of Elizabeth Sturges (she was active since 1829 at Suffolk Street) and her son Richard Ford Sturges. They worked in partnership between 1833 and 1841, at 26 Litchfield Street, Birmingham. Richard continued the business on his own account from 1841 until c. 1863 (from 1849 at 46 Broad Street).