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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: elipsistcu on May 02, 2009, 09:35:57 PM
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I bought this in Rehoboth Beach, DE last month. In all my years of antiquing I had never come across a piece like this. I talked to a shop owner in Annapolis, MD about it and he brought out a similar case from the naval Academy (circa WWII), but it did not have the calling card or coin slots. It's function appeared to be totally different. I have done Google as well as eBay searches and only yielded one case that was even remotely similar. It was plain, had coin holders and two compartments but no calling card side with hinge. Please help, I would love to know more about this piece! The stamp says "GER.SILVER" and below is a circular shaped stamp and inside says WHSCO (I think) I have more pis, I can only post 2 on here.
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I did look around a bit and did find many items from WHSco Found little information on the company but I will keep looking a bit. I did find another on almost like your. I think it is sterling, If it is marked Ger Silver most likely yours is 800, not sterling but better then plate. Again I am looking around a bit but thought you would like to have the link.
http://www.icollector.com/item.aspx?i=5261835
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I found another link you may be intrested in and a small quote for a post of Ruby Lane.
Quote for post on Ruby Lane
W. H. Saart Company, Saart Brothers Company: 'W. H. Saart Company was founded by William H. Saart in 1905 in Attleboro, Massachusetts. His brothers joined him in business a few years later and the firm was renamed Saart Bros. Company. They manufactured sterling silver dresser sets, baby items, and other hollowware". - I finally found the reference to this Co on: The Online Encyclopedia of American Silver Marks. I could only find one other item on the internet with this signature - It is a purse which is listed right here on Ruby Lane. I must believe that - WHS Co. jewelry items are scarce, and wonderful collectors pieces.
http://bestofthewestauctions.com/dynapage/IP4541.htm
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German silver is Generic for Silver plate.
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Just a foot note. all of these word's are commonly used for plate silver.German silver Alaska silver Craig silver Nevada silver Argentine silver inlaid silver. is all plated.
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Wow. Thank you both so much. I am not a dealer, I just love ladies vintage items. Does anyone have any idea how I could date this piece or even get a ballpark idea? The Co was founded in 1905, does anyone know when the company was disbanded/bought out?
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D&B Antiques: Just a foot note. all of these word's are commonly used for plate silver.
Not to forget Sheffield silver. Especially when looking on US ebay (of all places) many sellers 'forget' the term 'plated' in their descriptions; as porcelain nerd I only know because that freaky Sheffield in South Yorkshire is my birthplace. And no, I didn't move to where I am now because I liked the porcelain, LOL!
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Thank's chris. could'nt do with out you!
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So if his bros joined him a few years after he started the company WHS Co and it was then renamed SB Co then I have one of the first pieces. Very cool! I will post the stamp b/c it does not look like the one on the silver marks website.
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Yea a little stumble on my part last night. However wasn't German Silver the name for the metal made of Copper Alloys and sometimes Zinc, that was used as a base metal in plating. Actually called Nickle Silver?, which actually contains no silver? or when marked german silver is it just plated nickle silver?
As for the age of the piece I would just be guessing, these items have been popular from Late Victorian to even today, maybe a closer look into the hallmark may get some answers. When looking around the hallmark that you have is all I could find also. Not sure if they ever used other hallmarks. But if Ruby lane had a hard time find info on this company, I'm sure I will yield little better. Like always I love to guess anyway and I would place your item in the 1930's or 40's, Not sure it has the flair of Victorian or the Art Curves of the Art Noveau period, but the fancy the simpliticy to the 30's and 40's it does have.
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for the lady's, it would have been attached to a device called a Chatelaine for the gent's and Albert. calling card's were looseing interest as early as 1910. that's late Victorian. some prefer to say the ewardian period.
Never the less it's nice and excellent condition.
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Learn and get a bit of culture you guy rock ;D. Good point, so if they calling cards went out in late Victorian times A.K.A ewardian period, it would then place the item in late 1800's. or mid Victorian ;D A.K.A. (fill in answer here) ;). And no I didn't know about what a Chatelaine was, but do now ::).
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Iron lord I was'nt trying to flame your post. and open apology I'am giveing you. we injoy your Humor. & your willingness to learn. I think we can all say we injoy' your company.
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That o.k. my post is iron, not much a flame will do to it. :P, beside I fill a bit closer to culture because of it and the lady will be so impressed when I express that new knowledge the her. Sounds Win Win to me ;D
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This was a great post! Have seen a few like this over the years...but very few.
They are definitely collectibles of a past era....a piece of history that few remember or know of.
Fun to earn isn't it Ironlord?!
We all get into this for some reason or another and end up learning a heck-of-a-lot more here that sticks with us than we did in grade school!
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Does anyone know somewhere I could get this officially appraised for insurance purposes? I live in S. Maryland but travel to TX regularly. Any help would be appreciated!
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A payed appraisal would cost you more than what it's worth. you might try what's it worth .com for a $ 9.95 Appraisal.
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A payed appraisal would cost you more than what it's worth. you might try what's it worth .com for a $ 9.95 Appraisal. D&b
Totally Agree with D&b so the $9.95 might be worthwhile.
Just from what we know so far I would give it a ball park value of $125 - $145 if indeed it is a vintage item in the shape it appears (considering that it does have a broken mirror), has coin slots and that it is silver plate.
Did you ever post the silver mark?
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KC she mentions the fact it say's German Silver. which is nickel plated. it could be she mis understood the meaning. sterling would drive the price up.
Honestly I would save my $9.95 that would be added to what I payed for it & hopefully it was'nt a lot.
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DB: As far as I can tell i misunderstood nothing. It says Ger. Silver and I had no idea what that meant. And no, it wasn't a lot since the owner was so moved by how much I adored it that he gave it to me for free (Along w/ other items I bought).
KC: I did post the silver mark "Ger. Silver" as well as the stamp that say WHSCO in an earth shape. Just wanted to know pricing in case it's value needed to be accounted for in my homeowners insurance. It probably does not, but the value of the piece far extends the "cheap" silver or the broken mirror. It is a part of history that will probably never be repeated, when people carried calling cards and when a nickle and a dime could get you through a day of travel and eating.
Thank you all for your help! I truly appreciate it!!!
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Thanks D&b...that definitely changes things up alot....For those that are slow today, like me, and didn't take note from earlier posting....German Silver isn't silver at all and is a nickel based metal. Because of the confusion and "trickery" that people were experiencing after such "silvers" were developed in the 19th C, if the metal content of an item does not contain silver then it cannot be called silver.
Much like lots of other pieces from Mexico are being sold as silver on Ebay and the internet all the time...and they are not silver. They are Alpacca Silver (Alpaca) - an alloy imitating sterling silver. This bright silver-grey metal alloy is made up of copper, zinc and nickel (sometimes iron) and does NOT contain any real silver - just another name for Nickel Silver. This term is used in Germany, Austria Middle and Eastern Europe, Mexico, S America and Central America. Notably, in 1823 there was a contest among German & Austrian metalwork companies to develop an alloy that most closely appeared similar to silver (visually - not chemically or physically). After the manufacturer, Berndorf AG, trademarked and made popular the brand name Alpacca, it became used more than "Nickel Silver".
Definitely not saying that this individual was trying to deceive anyone...they are trying to find out info! The piece is still nice and collectible....but the value is that of the market. Would give it a value of $40 - 50 if in shape as seen and if chain is original (don't see many still attached). Girlie items are in...and this value may be a bit high...but...it is a part of history! Agree, save your money on the appraisal.
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Elipsistcu. we feel just as you do. you have saved a part of history that will never be seen again. that is exactly why we are here.
Hopefully you will return to this blog. shareing with us your treasures.
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Elipsistcu, I am sorry that I didn't catch that the first time about the German Silver and I was actually looking for a picture of the mark.
I know that it is disappointing for someone to give a higher value and then a lower one. I have never wanted to be the one who dashed someones "victory dance" and know I did in this instance. This is not typical of information given out on this site and not reflective of the others. Please accept my apology.
Please know that you have a piece of history that will only gain more importance with time as well as value. If you plan on keeping this...please type up some information to be kept with it so that it's purpose and historical value isn't lost.
For some great information on calling cards (aka visiting cards) place in history and examples of calling cards:
http://www.daysofelegance.com/callingcards.html (http://www.daysofelegance.com/callingcards.html)
http://www.literary-liaisons.com/article026.html (http://www.literary-liaisons.com/article026.html)
Even more interesting the gentleman's rules....http://artofmanliness.com/2008/09/07/the-gentlemans-guide-to-the-calling-card/ (http://artofmanliness.com/2008/09/07/the-gentlemans-guide-to-the-calling-card/)