Howard Sterling date?

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mrfixitt
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Sep 27, 2006 3:22 am
Location: California

Howard Sterling date?

Post by mrfixitt »

Hi, I found this pin next to a 100 year old home they were moving.
http://sv1.letmehost.com/img.php?file=s ... ny_pin.JPG
http://sv1.letmehost.com/img.php?file=s ... ny_pin.JPG

Before I go on I'd like to thank the administrator for the countless hours he must put in for free to keep this site number one. Thanks!

I've been able to identify the pin as being made by the Howard Sterling Company via this site. But I'm a little confused as to the date. If you click on this page you'll see it says 1878-1922 then it says 1878-1902. It also says most of the patterns went to the Rogers Williams Silver Co.
http://www.925-1000.com/american-mfg5.html

I looked at other sites trying to figure this. One site says 1878-1922. One site says Howard Sterling made sterling jewelry from 1878-1902 and never mentions 1922. If you click on this link it says the Rogers Williams Silver Co. bought the dies of Howard Sterling in approx. 1901.
http://www.silvercollecting.com/silvermarksW.html

Any ideas?


Also, I was wondering if anybody has any idea who or what the image on the pin is or signifies? Thanks for looking!
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2209patrick
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Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2006 9:53 pm
Location: Land of Lincoln, USA

Post by 2209patrick »

That's good of you to recognize all the time the administrator puts into this site. We appreciate all your hard work Tom.

Howard Sterling was established January 1, 1878 as H. Howard & Company. After a few name changes they became the Howard Sterling Company in December of 1891. The company went out of business about 1901-1902.

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/8657/scan10002cw0.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Regards,
Pat.
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mrfixitt
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Sep 27, 2006 3:22 am
Location: California

Post by mrfixitt »

That's great news Pat! I can now say it's over 100 years old. I'm going to assume it's 1878-1894 because of the image you showed me started in 1894 and my mark is different. I feel very satisfied saving this piece from being buried forever. I found it 2 months ago and the spot is now a parking lot.
Thank you!
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admin
Site Admin
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Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2005 6:52 pm

Post by admin »

oops, typo will get that fixed later today.
Tom
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dragonflywink
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Posts: 2500
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Location: Orlando, Florida
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Post by dragonflywink »

Howard made a set of 12 different classically inspired medallion "Antique Heads" demitasse spoons, the head on your pin is IDed in an Jan. 6, 1892 Jeweler's Weekly ad as "Ajax", and your pin probably does date to right around there. However, dating piece by the use of the mark with Patrick showed isn't really precise. Even with that mark starting use in 1894, there were usually many variations of maker's trademarks, very likely your mark was still used after 1894. My spoon from the set mentioned has the clover in a simple circle along with STERLING.

Cheryl ;o)
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