Product Description

2002-2003 Price Guide. This identification and value guide has many major manufacturers of silver illustrated throughout. Makers such as Gorham, International Silver company, Kirk-Steieff, Oneida Ltd., Reed & Barton, Saart Bros., Tiffany & Co., and many others. There is also catalog reprint from the Towle Silversmiths Company of their Old Colonial Pattern. This revised second edition is 8 1/2 X 11". The book is completely indexed and pricing is found in the front of the book after the table of contents.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #342058 in Books
• Published on: 1999-02-01
• Binding: Paperback
• 312 pages

Customer Reviews

Basic Identification Guide for Sterling Flatware
I tend to immerse myself in as much information as I can whenever I take on a new interest. Several years ago I became fascinated with sterling silver flatware, so I bought books on the subject. This book is affordable and fairly complete--The quality of the line drawings is somewhat uneven. Some of them are QUITE good, but others are fairly simply drawn, and silver is kind of about detail--the shading and depth of the patterns. However, for what it is--an identification guide, I consider it essential to my library. I usually keep it and the Maryanne Dolan book together--using them both to find what I want. The Dolan book has better pictures/drawings. This book has more patterns and notes the collectibility of the pattern. This book ALSO has an alphabetical listing of patterns at the end--which has been quite useful in determining WHICH Josephine pattern, WHICH Kings pattern, etc. And there is a simple, two page listing of silver manufacturer's marks to let one quickly spot a maker, but these marks have changed somewhat through the years, and I am still looking for a more comprehensive listing of marks that would reflect dates of manufacture, silver weights, etc. At the end of the book are pages listing all the pieces available in the Towle Old Colonial pattern--useful for identifying various forks, spoons, and serving pieces. But I like to use the Osterberg book 'Sterling Silver Flatware for Dining Elegance'for looking at pieces--it offers more variety. However, this book IS a basic reference tool, and probably should be in anyone's library of flatware books.

Made a great gift!
I bought this book along with another (Book of Old Silver by Wyler) for my mom. She was been collecting old silver pieces at antique shows/flea markets etc (getting some incredible deals) buut didn't know all the hallmarks or history. She LOVES this book. Every hallmark that you could imagine is listed in here. At first its a little difficult to navigate but once you figure out how its set up you're on your way - you can determine the year it was made, the county etc. There is also pricing information in terms but what I liked is that it indicates if the piece/pattern is rare, common etc, too. Terrific book. She raves about it and I've had fun looking up some of my pieces too, finding out that they're 100 yrs old is fun! Excellent reference book!

A good tool to use to identify a pattern...
This is a very useful book. It's not fabulous, but very helpful, especially when trying to identify a particular pattern. The bulk of the book is made up of line drawings of the handle of the spoon in a particular pattern, showing only one side (front) and no detail of the bowl. That being said, the drawings are very detailed and allow for good identification of a piece. The patterns are sorted by manufacturer, and give dates as well as pattern names. There is also a code which designated whether the pattern is older or newer, popular or not sought after, and whether it is handwrought.

At the end there is a two page diagram of marks, (wish it were larger), as well as an extensive index. All in all this book is worth the price, and if you need to identify a piece, don't hesitate to buy it.