Q. Why can't I find the silver mark I am looking for on this web site?

A. We have listed only a small fraction of known American silver marks on this web site. There are several thousand known American coin silver and sterling silver hallmarks. We add new marks on a fairly regular basis.

Q. Where do I look for a silver mark that is not on this web site?

A. If you are looking for information on an American silver mark, we strongly recommend that you find a copy of the book "Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers" 5th Edition by Dorothy Rainwater and Martin and Colette Fuller. This book has 2400+ different marks for 1600 different companies. Some libraries also have this book on their shelves. If you are looking for information on English silver marks, we suggest checking out the web site Siver Mine.

Q. May I submit a silver mark to add to your web site?

A. Yes. Please submit any marks to info@silvercollecting.com. We do ask that you send a very clear picture of the mark with any additional information that you have on the American silver maker.

Q. We are trying to identify a sterling pattern that we inherited. What book do you recommend for identifying American sterling flatware patterns?

A. We highly recommend "Sterling Flatware: An Identification and Value Guide" by Tere Hagan. This is absolutely the best book ever published for identifying American sterling flatware patterns. This book also tells you when each pattern was first made and includes a price guide. If you submit to us a picture of your pattern with a description of the marks, we will do our best to identify the pattern for you. Our email address is info@silvercollecting.com.

Q. How do I know what pieces were made in my sterling flatware or hollowware pattern?

A. The best source for determining what was made in your pattern, is to look at the catalogs, which the silver companies such as Gorham and Towle issued with their patterns. You can find many different silverware guides at the SilverCollecting.Com Bookstore.

Q. Can you recommend any other books on collection sterling silver?

A. Several good books have been published recently that are worth checking out. We strongly recommend the following books:

• Yesterday's Silver for Today's Table - The newest book by Richard Osterberg illustrates multiple examples of over 150 different types of sterling flatware. Some of the more unusual pieces illustrated included are the asparagus servers, grape shears, croquette Servers, claret ladles, chicken tongs, corn forks, sandwich forks, bacon forks and more. If you have an interest in sterling flatware patterns and the pieces that were made across multiple patterns, this is a book for you.
• Silver Novelties In The Gilded Age: 1870-1910 - This is a great book about silver novelties from the Victorian Era. Over 800 photographs illustrate tea balls, napkin rings, nutmeg graters, vinaigrettes, ink wells, pens and pencils, match safes, cigar cutters, thimbles, chatelaines, belt buckles, vanity cases and more.
• The Gorham Sterling Flatware Identification Book - This is a copy of a 1910-1911 Gorham Sterling Flatware catalog illustrating 33 different flatware patterns. In addition, there are 131 different types of flatware pieces illustrated in this catalogue.
• American Spoons: Souvenir and Historical - This book is for collectors of American souvenir spoons. By one of the best authors on American silver, Dorothy Rainwater. There are over 800 illustrations.
• Sterling Flatware: An Identification and Value Guide by Tere Hagan. We mentioned this book above as being the best for identifying the names of sterling flatware patterns and when they were first made.
• Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers - 5th Edition by Dorothy Rainwater and Martin and Colette Fuller. This is the best book for identifying marks on American sterling silver and silverplate. There are more than 2,400 marks illustrated and 1,600 companies listed. Best book for identifying American sterling hallmarks.
  
  

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