MARKS - HALLMARKS - HISTORY |
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created by Giorgio B. owner of www.silvercollection.it ©  |
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This is a page of A
Small Collection of Antique Silver and Objects of vertu,
a 1000 pages richly illustrated website offering all you
need to know about antique silver, sterling silver,
silverplate, sheffield plate, electroplate silver,
silverware, flatware, tea services and tea complements,
marks and hallmarks, articles, books, auction catalogs,
famous silversmiths (Tiffany, Gorham, Jensen, Elkington,
WMF, Reed & Barton, Mappin & Webb, Bateman Family),
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TIFFANY & CO INC. HISTORY
The firm was founded by Charles L. Tiffany in 1837 with John B. Young under the name Tiffany & Young.In 1841 the partnership changed to Tiffany, Young & Ellis.
In 1851 John C. Moore & Son entered into a special business relationship with Tiffany.
In 1868 the silverware factory of Moore became part of organisation with Edward C. Moore becoming one of the directors.
Throughout the remaining years of the 19th century, Tiffany’s won wide acclaim for the nature of its product and the wealth of its clientele.
Tiffany and Co. moved to its current location on New York 5th Ave. in 1940. The new building was immensely beautiful and was designed in the art deco style. Above the door is a statue of Atlas bearing the weight of the world. Instead of a globe being held above his head, he holds a clock. The architects of the building wanted to create an ominous affect that reminded Tiffany & Co.’s visitors of the rarity and preciousness of the treasures carried by the store. For that reason, all of the buildings doors were made to look like the doors of industrial bank vaults.
Today, Tiffany & Co. remains a leading maker of jewelry, china, crystal, silver, and glassware. Tiffany’s sterling pieces are some of the purest to be found in the world.
TIFFANY STERLING SILVER MARKS
Until c. 1868 Tiffany purchased silverware from a variety of the major silver manufacturers, among them Grosjean & Woodward, William Gale, Gorham Mfg Co, William Bogert & Co and others. In this period the "Tiffany" mark was accompanied by that of the maker silversmith.
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Authentic Tiffany silver holloware and flatware is generally marked Tiffany & Co and generally includes date letters indicating the period it was made. Flatware also usually includes a pattern number.
The first date letter "M" (Old English) used by Tiffanys represented Edward C. Moore, who was the head of Tiffany's silver operations until 1891. After his death, the date letters were based on the initial of the current Tiffany president (1891-1902 Charles L. Tiffany, 1902-1907 Charles T. Cook, 1907-1947 John C. Moore, 1947-1955 Louis de Bian Moore, 1955-ca.1965 William T. Lusk). The practice was discontinued about 1965.
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A special symbol has been added to Tiffany mark on items produced on the occasion of International Exhibitions (Columbian Esposition Chicago 1893, Esposition Universelle Paris 1900, Pan-American Esposition Buffalo 1901)
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Starting in the mid-1900s, part of Tiffany's silverware has been manufactured abroad. Much of this production bears a mark indicating the country of origin (Italy, France, Germany) and, in some cases, the silversmith's mark
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TIFFANY IN UK
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TIFFANY IN NEW YORK
This is the list of Tiffany's New York locations:
1837 Tiffany & Young 259 Broadway, NY
1841 Tiffany, Young & Ellis 259-260 Broadway, NY
1847 Tiffany, Young & Ellis 271 Broadway, NY
1853 Tiffany & Co. 550-552 Broadway, NY
1870 Tiffany & Co. Union Square & 15th St, NY
1905 Tiffany & Co. 5th Ave & 37th St., NY
1940 Tiffany & Co. 5th Ave & 57th St., NY
1996 Tiffany & Co. 727 5th Ave. NY
Some of early marks bear the firm address; an useful information in dating a piece
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A SELECTION OF TIFFANY SILVER
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pitcher
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10166 
2266 |
pitcher
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6677
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tazza
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dresser/vanity set
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teapot
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cream and sugar
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basket
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tea set
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basket
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bowl
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compote
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6618
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pill box
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coffee set
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plate
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urn vase
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asparagus tongs
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pitcher
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| SILVERPLATE AND ELECTROPLATED SILVER OF USA AND CANADA |
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AMERICAN SILVERPLATE MARKS Aa / Al Am / Az Ba / Bh Bi / Bz C D E F G H I J K L Ma / Mh Mi / Mz N O P Q Ra / Rn Ro / Rz Sa / Sl Sm / Sz T U V Wa / Wd We / Wz X Y Z |
FIGURAL MARKS
anchors, animals, arrows, bells,
birds, candelabra, crosses, crowns
fantastical entities, horses
human figures, lions, musical instruments
plants and vegetables, stars swords axes blades,
tools, windmills, others |
| STERLING SILVER OF USA AND CANADA |
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AMERICAN STERLING SILVER MARKS Aa / Am An / Az Ba / Bh Bi / Bz Ca / Cn Co / Cz Da / Dt Du / Dz E Fa / Fn Fo / Fz Ga / Gh Gi / Gz Ha / Hh Hi / Hz I-J K La / Lh Li / Lz M N O P - Q Ra / Rn Ro / Rz Sa / Sh Si / Sz T - U - V Wa / WG Wh / Wz X - Y - Z |
| SILVER MANUFACTURERS: MARKS, HISTORY AND INFORMATION |
 Fabergé Gorham International Silver Co Georg Jensen Kirk Stieff Meriden Britannia Reed & Barton Rogers Tiffany & Co Towle Wallace Wiener Werkstatte WMF |
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www.silvercollection.it |
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This is a page of 'The What is? Silver Dictionary' of A Small Collection of
Antique Silver and Objects of vertu, a 1500 pages richly illustrated website offering all you need to know about
antique silver, sterling silver, silverplate, Sheffield plate, electroplate silver,
silverware, flatware, tea services and tea complements, marks and hallmarks, articles,
books, auction catalogs, famous silversmiths (Tiffany, Gorham, Jensen, Elkington),
history, oddities ... HOME - SITE MAP - SILVER DICTIONARY - COOKIES CONSENT AND PRIVACY |