Help with makers mark please

Traden · Post by **Traden** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 2:50 pm

Hi All
Would like some help with this makers mark please and would really like to know what if anything the little mark underneath the maker mark means the makers mark is worn and hard to decide what the last letter is possibly an I ? I have searched all the marks i can find and couldnt match it to anything
Thanks for any help
Den

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Hose_dk · Post by **Hose_dk** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 2:54 pm

See silver glossery Journeyman or tally mark.
http://www.925-1000.com/silverglossary5.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Traden · Post by **Traden** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 3:15 pm

Thanks Hose_dk
feel silly now i knew id seen it somwhere but couldnt remember what it was called im sure i'll remember this time
Den
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salmoned · Post by **salmoned** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 7:50 pm

Also, this mark may be 'HI' or 'IH'. I don't think we could distinguish between the two here, unless only one combination presents itself in the records for this date.
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Post by **dognose** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 3:04 pm

Hi Den,

The two most likely candidates would be John Lacey Hawkins or John Harris IV, it is possible that it could be another but as these two entered their marks as Spoonmakers they are the most likely.
It was quite usual at this time to use the letter "I" in place of "J".
John Lacey Hawkins was a former apprentice of Stephen Adams and was the expert witness at the George Wintle trial.

Regards Trev.
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Traden · Post by **Traden** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 8:18 pm

Thanks for the info all very much appreciated
I just had a read up on the George Wintle trial very interesting and its all on this forum makes a good read and lots more good info to
Thanks again
Den
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byron mac donald · Post by **byron mac donald** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 2:50 am

Trev-

Why is the "I" used instead of the "J" ? Does it stand for "Ian" (John)? the reason I ask is because I have always thought this was distinctive of Scottish heritage.

Regards- Byron
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Post by **dognose** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 10:39 am

Hi Byron,

As I understand it, back in Elizabethen times there were 24 letters in the alphabet with "i" and "j" being interchangable, the same applied to "u" and "v", there use would then depend on where you were going to place them, e.g. no word would start with a "u" this is where a "v" would have been used.

Regards Trev.
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byron mac donald · Post by **byron mac donald** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 8:59 pm

Hi Trev-

Thank you, that is very interesting.

Byron
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