elusive mark on hair barrettes

[lisach]

I have posted photos of 2 hair barrettes and the mark.
The barrettes are only 2 inches in length. They appear to be for a child.

It says simply MEXICO. Displays the eagle 3 (although the eagle outline is very faint)
and a mark that sort of looks like it could be a variation of Victor Jaimez. I have scoured the main pages on marks unable to identify it. You help is appreciated in advance.

Lisach

[ValkyrieVixen]

I'm seeing ?VC so wouldn't be Jaimez. There is an AVC in the hallmark book but it says the mark is inside a Taxco Mexico 925 circle so doubt this is the same. Does the other one show the first letter any better?

[silverport]

Hello

My experiency in cases of "difficult to see" photos of marks:

Sometimes it helps to enlarge the shown area up to «400 %» Of course it's difficult if there is only a poor amount of pixel available.

In these cases sometimes it's very helpful to switch on basic knowledge in letter's and cipher types contour. All we have learned this from childhood on. Why not use this knowledge just now?

Here you could see - enlarged by 400 % - that eagles body wear a cipher 3; that there are AVC letters attached closely to neighbour letter. But the V looks like a «radix V». And 925 has on right side a little «echo» - response to hammer and punch.

Kind regards silverport

[lisach]

To Valkyrievixon: Yes the other does show a better image. Apologies for not seeing that ahaed of time.

Also apologies for the size

[img][img]http://h.imagehost.org/0152/IMG_0948.jpg[/img][/img]

[lisach]

To Silverport,
Thank-you for your reply. I am sure that if I was experienced in silversmithing I would be able to use the suggestions you share. However my lack of knowledge and understanding of the art leaves me unsure of exactly what you are saying. Please forgive my request, but could you be more basic for my benefit?

1) you are correct... enlarging would perhaps show more, but this is the extent of my capabilities.
2) I didn't understand what you said the V looks like. Could you rephrase that please?

[ValkyrieVixen]

Almost looks like JVC there but that has the same description in the book, inside a circle of marks.
Sometimes a pencil rubbing on tracing paper will bring out a faint mark.
I wouldn't expend too much energy trying to identify it. The majority of Mexican artisans are unknown.

[lisach]

Understood. I do agree with that. I was trying to get an idea of old they are and got a little carried away with the search. I have had them for about 35 years. Thank-you very much for your response it is most appreciated.

Lisa Childers