Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1912 Excerpt: ...are not actually ruined by this restoration it is extremely difficult to say whether they were made before the invention of plating on both sides of the ingot or not. The ultimate decision as to the age and intrinsic value has to depend, more or less, on colour tests, texture, appearances, or to some extent on the style of the period to which an article must have belonged. Experienced men, accustomed to handling all kinds of plated goods, can usually recognise Old Sheffield Plate almost at a glance or by touch. Fused silver plate is harder than plate produced by the process of electro deposition for three reasons. The first is the effect of the alloy; the second, the rolling and hammering to which it was subjected; and the third is that the electroplating process seems to have a softening effect on the foundation metal. There is also a difference in the colour. Pure silver is always white, whilst standard silver used in the old process, has a distinct bluish cast on account of the alloy. ' In the local Directory of the year 1849, Messrs. H. D. 'Vill-tinson advertise for articles requiring to be replated; and also in the 1852 Directory, Messrs. Walker & C0., of ii, Howard Street, advertise that the " public can have their household articles re-plated at one tliird their original cost." REPRODUCTIONS OR " FAKES." Touching the question of Old Sheffield reproductions and the enormous number of such articles that are put on the market to-day, the matter is an entirely simple one from the purchaser's point of view. The retailer has undoubtedly bought these articles from factories for making such wares, situated in London, Birmingham or on the Continent. It may here be stated that the temptation offered by the very great demand for ...