Coin Silver or Silver Plate Help Needed Clover & CSP Mar

[crashmasterd]

The title says it all. I've come into some flatware and don't know if it's coin silver or silver plate.

The mark reads "C" in a diamond, "S" in a shield, "P" in a square. There is also what appears to be a clover.

http://c.imagehost.org/0327/DSCN4793.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://c.imagehost.org/0671/DSCN4795.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
(admin photo edit - image too large - insert as link or thumbnail only - see Posting Requirements)

I've one source that told me it is Cambridge Silver Plate, however have not found any thing to confirm this after extensive searching.

Any and all information is greatly appreciated, my heartfelt thanks in advance.

Steph

[2209patrick]

Hello and welcome.

Dorothy Rainwater's book shows these CSP marks for Sears Roebuck & Company, Chicago, Illinois.
Yes, CSP does stand for Cambridge Silver Plate.
They started using this mark around 1909.

Sears Roebuck stamped silverplated flatware made by others with their marks.

Pat.

[crashmasterd]

Would you say that this is silverplate as opposed to coin silver? It certainly has more of a coin silver look and feel to it, but I'm not sure how to tell definitively.

Thanks again.

[2209patrick]

Hello.

I have seen those marks several times and the pieces were all silverplated.

Pat.