LONDON STERLING SILVER DATE LETTER CHART ...Not everyone can memorise the date letters that appear on silver, yet they are so very important in dating silver items. As far as I am aware this is the first time...
This is a brief introduction to the subject of hallmarks on English sterling silver since the 1700s. It may enable the reader to decide whether their article is solid silver or silver plated and help...
List of some 19th/20th century makers This list has been produced to assist in the identification of possible makers. Once a name has been identified as a possibility then a search on the web may reveal a...
Plastic collectables Most collectors of vintage plastics really know their subject. Labelling any and every old plastic item as “Bakelite” and hoping for the best is a certain recipe for grief, angry buyers...
There are several ebay guides about old silver hallmarks, but little about hallmarks currently in use so I thought I'd fill the gap... UK hallmarks are assigned by the Assay Offices, of which there are...
This is a summary of some of my tips for the cleaning and caring for silver, regardless of which products you use. On the subject of which silver product types are best, I will just say that I have a large...
Can you tell a Richard I from a Henry III ? This guide will show you how to, quickly and easily. This guide will I hope attempt to provide quick and easy ways to differentiate between and establish the...
Silver2Treasure Vesta Cases A Guide by Karen Freeman Vesta Cases were invented in around 1840 and were made to house friction matches. These pocket-sized cases took their name from 'Vesta', the Roman...
ADVICE FOR PEOPLE BUYING ARCHAEOLOGICAL OBJECTS FOUND IN THE UNITED KINGDOM Five things to ASK: •Have you legal title to sell? •Where was the object found?•When was the object found?•Was there a legal...
As someone who has collected ancient coins for almost 20 years and who occasionally buys and sells them on eBay, I get the distinct impression that many people come to this fascinating hobby for the first time...