Catalog

length 6 3/4+ inches, total Troy weight 5.83 ounces, no monogram, stunning original condition, marked as shown in fourth enlargement.

length 6 7/8 inches, monogram "F", excellent condition, weight 9 oz. Troy, marked with Alvin trademark; "Sterling" and "Patent".

These are find, old pieces with excellent detail and die depth.

Canton or Hong Kong circa 1840 with carved mother of pearl handles, length eight inches, monogrammed "WL" (?), fine condition although one blade shows evidence of being straightened (see fourth photo).

Forbes lists one set of dessert knives, #252 shown in figure 75, but these would appear to be quite rare.

No, dear reader, you're not daft though I may be, there are only five pictured here. Yes, we do have the sixth and it is no different than these!!

(Washington, DC circa 1860) length 7 3/4 inches, total Troy weight 9.9 ounces, excellent condition with lovely color and no appreciable tine wear.

With their short front "tip't" decoration, engine turned work and bright cut engraving trailing down to the area just above the tines (please see fourth enlargement), these are especially decorative and fine quality examples.

length 6 1/8 inches, total Troy weight 5.53 ounces, lightly monogrammed "D", fine condition.

length just shy of 5 1/8 inches, total Troy weight 2.15 ounces (heavy for berry forks @.36 each), marked as shown in third enlargement.

Though the three letter script monogram may not be traditional for Fairfax, these are nearly impossible to find.

length 6 7/8 inches (!!), total Troy weight 4.9 oz., excellent condition, monogrammed as shown and dated "1889" on reverse.

Of all the nineteenth century American flatware manufacturers, we have a particular fondness for Durgin. Their sensitivity to the natural world and ability to evoke it "in the metal" was uncanny. Have a look at the delicate oyster shell detail in this pattern, complete with pearl (see fourth enlargement), and remember that the die which created this detail was hand c...

length 5 3/8 inches, total Troy weight 3.91 ounces, astonishing original condition, no monogram, gilt bowls.

This pattern gets much less love than its close relatives Iris and New Art, but is every bit as finely detailed and well executed as either one of those.

length 5 7/8 inches, total Troy weight 4.24 ounces, fine condition, monogrammed "Bailey" in period script, marked "Bailey & Co" and "lion-s-shield" as shown in third enlargement.

One can't help but wonder if this wasn't the personal silver service of Joseph Trowbridge Bailey, or some member of his family.

with decorative bright cut engraving, length 5 3/8 inches, total Troy weight 2.64 ounces, monogrammed as shown in third enlargement. My apologies for only picturing one here, but they are all identical.

These are benchmark examples, looking today just as they did upon leaving the factory on Elmwood Avenue some hundred and fifty years ago. They are engraved (slightly differently) in an exceptionally well designed and well executed manner upon all three sides. Place pieces in this fine ol...

length 5 3/4 inches, weight 7.37 Troy ounces, excellent condition, marked and monogrammed as shown in enlargements. Although these don't have the "h" weight designation, they are exceptionally heavy for their size.

Compare on the Big Bad Auction site (item 154699050597) @89.00 each!

length 8 inches, total Troy weight 10.49 ounces, monogrammed "B.B." (script, obverse). These have seen some hefty use by hungry hands. There is a bit of wear where they meet the plate, some of which encroaches upon the engraving. That said, they do still have a certain charm, excellent diaper work and scrolled decoration, and a wonderful feel in the hand. Marked "patent 1855 / coin" (mark is worn).

length 2 3/4 inches, gilt bowls, excellent condition, monogrammed "P" obverse, Old English. Please see second photo for marks.

length five inches, no monogram, gilt bowls, excellent condition, total Troy weight 2.63 ounces.

Designed by the great French scultor Antoine Heller, these figures have attitude!!

length 7 1/8 inches, weight 7.63 Troy ounces the lot, monogrammed as shown in second enlargement, marked "H & S STERLING" and "Watts."

When it comes to condition, what separates the men from the boys, or the women from the girls (Don Soeffing describes the figure as "somewhat androgynous," so let's honor that!) is the clarity of the ivy garland. Have a look at our third photo and we think you'll agree that these comport themselves rather well.

May I also add that though teaspoons and ...

New York circa 1855, length 8 inches, weight 10.41 Troy ounces (avg. 1.75 oz. T each), excellent condition, monogrammed "F.E.M." in period script; see third enlargement, marked with his trademark and J. Cook incuse.

One could spend a substantial number of hours searching through design patents looking for the original name of this pattern, and come up empty handed. Then again, one might find an exact date, and "design for the handle of a spoon." Either way, we find this early die struck p...

length 6 5/8 inches, fine condition, monogrammed "m" (obverse), total Troy weight 7.93 ounces, marked as shown in fourth enlargement.

with heart shaped cut out in tines, length 6 1/8 inches, total Troy weight 7.08 ounces, fine condition, monogrammed "H" as shown in third enlargement. These are scarce.