ENGLISH ELECTROPLATE SILVER

MARKS AND HALLMARKS OF SHEFFIELD AND BIRMINGHAM SILVER PLATE MAKERS
WITH THE ADDITION OF OTHER BRITISH, SCOTTISH AND IRISH MANUFACTURERS



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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), history, oddities ...
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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 on silver, or EPBM for electroplated Britannia metal.

THE DIRECTORY OF BRITISH ELECTROPLATED SILVER MAKERS: Go-Gz

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|
The Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co Ltd - London The Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co Ltd - London The Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co - London The Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co - London The Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co Ltd - London The Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co Ltd- London The Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co Ltd - London The Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co Ltd - London The Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co Ltd - London The Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co Ltd - London The Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co Ltd - London
THE GOLDSMITHS & SILVERSMITHS CO
THE GOLDSMITHS & SILVERSMITHS CO LTD
London
A large business of retail jewellers and silversmiths established in 1880 at 112 Regent Street, London. The original partners were William Gibson and John Lawrence Langman. In 1890 the bought
Mappin Brothers, sold to Mappin & Webb in 1902. In 1898 the firm converted into a limited liablity company under the style Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co Ltd. The firm was amalgamated in 1952 in Garrard & Co Ltd. The firm used the trade mark REGENT PLATE

THE GOLDSMITHS & SILVERSMITHS CO: HISTORY AND MARKS

Goldsmiths Alliance Ltd - London (possibly) Goldsmiths Alliance Ltd - London (possibly)
GOLDSMITHS ALLIANCE LTD
London (possibly)
Manufactorer and dealer of gold and silver, jewellery, electro and Sheffield plate, watches and clocks active at 5 Finsbury Place South as A.B. Savory & Sons, converted into a limited liability company as Goldsmiths' Alliance Ltd (1866). They operated in the new factory at 18 Red Lion Street, Clerkenwell, London. In 1893 the firm went voluntarily out of business and the activity was incorporated by the
Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co Ltd.




Thomas Goode & Co - London
THOMAS GOODE & CO
London
A manufacturer and retailer business established in 1827. Still active at South Audley Street, Mayfair, London
George Goodfellow & Sons - London George Goodfellow & Sons - London George Goodfellow & Sons - London
GEORGE GOODFELLOW & SONS
London
Founded in 1848 as Goodfellow, Tilley & Hodd (until 1854). Later Goodfellow & Hodd (1854-1860), Thomas Goodfellow and Goodfellow & Sons (after 1916)
Thomas Goodfellow - London
THOMAS GOODFELLOW
London
Thomas Hutchinson Goodfellow (29 Hatton Garden, London) succeeded in 1860 to Goodfellow & Hodd (1854-1860). Later the firm traded as Goodfellow & Sons
Goodman, Gainsforth & Fairbairn
GOODMAN, GAINSFORTH & FAIRBAIRN
Sheffield
(Old Sheffield Plate)
George Gordon & Son - Sheffield George Gordon & Son - Sheffield (possibly) George Gordon & Son - Sheffield
GEORGE GORDON & SON
Sheffield
Active at Casket Works, 129 St Mary's Rd, Sheffield (1897-1927). Formerly George Gordon was partner of Bellamy & Gordon (1894-1896)
Solomon Lewis Gorer - Middlesex
SOLOMON LEWIS GORER
Middlesex
Active from c. 1878 also as GILDING & SILVERING CO. The firms used the trade mark ARGOSY SILVER
John Gough - Birmingham
JOHN GOUGH
Birmingham
John Gough was the son of William Gough and continued his father's activity. He was active at 4 James Street, St. Paul's, Birmingham. The business was closed in the mid 1880s




John Gough - Birmingham
WILLIAM GOUGH
Birmingham
Active in Birmingham since 1840 (at 11-12 Parade in 1849). He was in partnership with John Smith (until 1855). In 1859 took as partner John Bartlet Silvester trading as Gough & Silvester until 1870. Afterwards the business was continued by his son John Gough. The firm exhibited electroplated wares at the Birmingham Exhibition of 1849 and at the Great Exhibition (London) of 1851
Gourdel Vales & Co - London Gourdel Vales & Co - London
GOURDEL, VALES & CO
London
The business was founded in Paris in 1827 by Constant Valès. A branch was opened in London in 1857. The firm became
Gourdel, Vales & Co (c.1865-1930) and Gourdel, Vales & Co Ltd (1930-1939)
Grace Bros (Australia)
GRACE BROS
Australia
Grace Bros was an Australian department store chain, founded in 1885
Grainger & Campbell - Glasgow (possibly) Grainger & Campbell - Glasgow (possibly) Grainger & Campbell - Glasgow (possibly) Grainger & Campbell - Glasgow (possibly)
GRAINGER & CAMPBELL
Glasgow (possibly)
(only a hypothesis!) a G&C mark was registerd in 1981 in Glasgow Assay Office by Sir Patrick Grant Bt & Robert Wallace
J.G. Graves 1905 advertisement - Sheffield J.G. Graves - Sheffield J.G. Graves - Sheffield (possibly) J.G. Graves - Sheffield J.G. Graves - Sheffield J.G. Graves Ltd - Sheffield J.G. Graves - Sheffield J.G. Graves - Sheffield
J.G.GRAVES
J.G. GRAVES LTD
Sheffield
A famous maker who wed mail order and deferred payment plan. John George Graves was active at Entreprise Works, St. Mary's Rd, Gell St, and 169 West St, (1900-1910) and Margaret St, Sheffield (1911-1914). The firm became Ltd in 1905.
Benjamin Grayson & Son, Sheffield Benjamin Grayson & Son, Sheffield Benjamin Grayson & Son, Sheffield Benjamin Grayson & Son, Sheffield: 1871-1914 Benjamin Grayson & Son, Sheffield: CUPRO BRITISH trademark
BENJAMIN GRAYSON & SON
Sheffield
Succeeded to
R. Broadhead & Co. British Works, 58 Holly St. Sheffield (1872-1885), 16-18 Garden St. (1886-1893), 19 Carver Lane (1894-1900) and 99 Napier St., Sheffield (1901-1910). The firm used the trade marks BRITISH (a mark used also by by Lee & Wigfull) and CUPRO BRITISH.

ANCIENT ADVERTISEMENT AND MORE




Charles S. Green & Co Ltd - Birmingham Charles S. Green & Co Ltd - Birmingham Charles S. Green & Co Ltd - Birmingham Charles S. Green & Co Ltd - Birmingham Charles S. Green & Co Ltd - Birmingham Charles S. Green & Co Ltd - Birmingham: retailed by Wm Drummond & Co, Melbourne Charles S. Green & Co Ltd - Birmingham Charles S. Green & Co Ltd - Birmingham
CHARLES S. GREEN & CO
CHARLES S. GREEN & CO LTD
Birmingham
Business established in 1905 by Charles S. Green, son and brother of the managers of Charles Green & Son. He was assisted in the business by his wife Winifred, a talented artist who designed all the firm's early patterns. The firm moved in 1907 to Cogent Works, 54 St.Paul's Square and in 1982 to a new factory at Lionel Street, Birmingham. The firm used the trade mark
COGENT PLATE. The "CANNON" figural trademark was used also by George Wilkin (a trademark owned Green & Green Ltd)
Frederick Green & Sons, Sheffield (possibly) Frederick Green & Sons, Sheffield
FREDERICK GREEN & SONS
Sheffield
Formerly Frederick Green, became & Sons in 1894 at 76 Bridge St, London Works, Sheffield. Later at Eyre Lane (1897-1900)
Israel Sigmund Greenberg & Co - Birmingham Israel Sigmund Greenberg & Co - Birmingham Israel Sigmund Greenberg & Co - Birmingham Israel Sigmund Greenberg & Co - Birmingham Israel Sigmund Greenberg & Co - Birmingham Israel Sigmund Greenberg & Co - Birmingham
ISRAEL SIGMUND GREENBERG & CO
Birmingham
Israel Sigmund Greenberg (c.1845-1926), a Jewish of Russian origin, is listed in 1884 at 44 Frederick Street Birmingham, moved as I.S. Greenberg & Co to Vyse Street, Birmingham in 1889. Two of his sons were involved in the trade, Ellis Jacob Greenberg (1879-1931) and Herbert Simeon Greenberg (1881-1966). The firm was converted in 1909 to a limited liability company under the style I.S. Greenberg & Co Ltd. Members of Greenberg family were partners in Ellis & Co, merged with
Barker Brothers in 1960 to form Barker Ellis Silver Co Ltd.
Gregory Brothers, Sheffield Gregory Brothers, Sheffield
GREGORY BROTHERS
Sheffield
Founded c. 1907, senior partner Samuel Alfred Gregory. Active at Balmoral Works, 37 Matilda Street, Sheffield. They bought "Marples & Co" who were using the "BEE HIVE" mark (previously property of
Slater Brothers). The "broad arrow with D D" signifies that the firm was supplier to the Australian Government.
In 1962 Gregory Bros merged with Joseph Fenton & Sons to form Gregory Fenton Ltd. By the 1990s the address of this firm was the Beehive Works in Milton Street.
William Gregory & Sons, Sheffield William Gregory & Sons, Sheffield William Gregory & Sons, Sheffield William Gregory & Sons, Sheffield William Gregory & Sons, Sheffield
WILLIAM GREGORY & SONS
Sheffield
Manufacturers of Table & Butchers Knives, Electro-plated Ware & C. active at 35 & 37 Howard Street, Sheffield (an 1896 invoice head refers to Otto Cutlery Works, Howard Street). The firm used the trade mark
SPANISH SILVER and in c. 1907 was succeeded (incorporated) by John Petty & Sons, active at Perth Works, Garden Street, Sheffield.
1896 invoice head of William Gregory & Sons, Sheffield 1896 invoice head of John Petty & Sons successors to William Gregory & Sons, Sheffield trade card of  John Petty & Sons successors to William Gregory & Sons, Sheffield
J&R Griffin - Birmingham J&R Griffin - Birmingham
J & R GRIFFIN
J & R GRIFFIN LTD
Birmingham
Joseph James Griffin and Richard Charles Griffin, active at 28 Hylton Street (1895), 105/109 Hockley Street (1905) and at Link Works, Soho Hill (1913), Birmingham. Out of business c. 1926




John Grinsell & Henry Bourne - Birmingham
JOHN GRINSELL & HENRY BOURNE
Birmingham
Active at 18/19 Ludgate Hilli, Birmingham as electroplaters, gilders and manufacturers. The partnership lasted from 1864 to 1871
John Grinsell & Sons, cupid trade mark John Grinsell & Sons - Birmingham (courtesy David Bayne) John Grinsell & Sons - Birmingham (courtesy David Bayne) John Grinsell & Sons - Birmingham John Grinsell & Sons - Birmingham John Grinsell & Sons - Birmingham John Grinsell & Sons - Birmingham (possibly)
JOHN GRINSELL & SONS
JOHN GRINSELL & SONS LTD
Birmingham
A business established in Birmingham before 1864 as Grinsell & Bourne. When the partnership was dissolved (1871), John Grinsell started a new business with his sons (Thomas Bywater Grinsell, James Erazmus Grinsell, Lorenzo Grinsell and Joseph Charles Grinsell) as John Grinsell & Sons. In 1905c. the firm was converted to John Grinsell & Sons Ltd. Later the firm was puchased by Barker Ellis & Co Ltd. On its line of ceramic wares with silverplate mounts the firm used a similar trade mark (a cupid) with the motto
"SEMPER PARATUS". The firm was still active in 1939.

JOHN GRINSELL & SONS: HISTORY, MARKS AND HALLMARKS


Richard Groves & Sons - Sheffield Richard Groves & Sons - Sheffield Richard Groves & Sons Ltd - Sheffield Richard Groves & Sons - Sheffield
RICHARD GROVES & SONS
RICHARD GROVES & SONS LTD
Sheffield
Active from 1870s at Beehive Works and Egerton Works. Snow Lane, Allen St and Egerton St, Sheffield. The firm became Ltd (1927-1942). The firm adopted the trademark
USE
a generic mark for GERMAN SILVER a generic mark for GERMAN SILVER a generic mark for GERMAN SILVER
GS
GSSP

a generic mark for
GERMAN SILVER (a white alloy containing copper, zinc, and nickel. While it is silvery in color, it contains none of the more valuable metal)
I. Guide & Co - Sheffield I. Guide & Co - Sheffield
I GUIDE & CO
Sheffield
Active at Helm Works, Arundel Lane, Sheffield.
Another source certifies that the "
Rudder Brand" figural mark, used in connection with a maker's mark "FW" and "PURE GUIDO SILVER" trade name, belonged in 1901 to Frank Wood active at Helm Works, 41 Arundel Street and Donnington Road, in 1905.
PURE GUIDO SILVER a possible trade name of Frank Wood - Sheffield Frank Wood - Sheffield (possibly)

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, Austrian Silver, Brazilian Silver, Buxbridge, Electrum, Encore, Exquisite, Insignia Plate, Nevada Silver, Norwegian Silver, Pelican Silver, Potosi Silver, Silverite, Sonora Silver, Spur Silver, Stainless Nickel, Stainless Nickel Silver, Venetian Silver, W.M White Metal,....





WORLDWIDE DIRECTORY OF SILVERPLATE MANUFACTURERS: HISTORY & MARKS
Rogers & Bro. - Waterbury CT hallmarkUSA & Canada     Mappin & Webb hallmarkWalker & Hall hallmarkUK Electroplate     Devices of Old Sheffiel PlateOld Sheffield Plate     Herrmann factory silver plate markContinental/Europe

BRITISH TOWN MARKS AND DATE LETTERS

STERLING SILVER OF ENGLAND, SCOTLAND AND IRELAND
ALPHABETICAL LISTING OF MAKER'S MARKS
AA/AE    AF/AZ    BA/BZ    CA/CH    CI/CZ    DA/DZ    EA/EZ    FA/FZ    GA/GZ    HA/HG    HH/HZ    IA/IG    IH/IZ    JA/JC    JD/JI    JJ/JP    JQ/JS    JT/JZ    KA/LZ    MA/MZ    NA/PA    PB/PZ    QA/RJ    RK/RZ    SA/SG    SH/SZ    TA/TH    TI/TZ    UA/WB    WC/WF    WG/WL    WM/WS    WT/ZZ   

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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 ...
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