»CEP« and »***« are (internal) indications for the quality of plate?
Hello Karen
May I add some remarks on the markings:
The scratched »
B« could be an external sign of property, if it was e.g. lent for a get together?
»
99« is maybe in this case the model number — helpful in the warehouse and for the commerce too.
»
CEP« wasn’t visible in yours images - »
EP« signification is »
Electro
Plated«.
»
***« could be,
that is a guess of me, an internal indication for the, on first sight not visible, quality of plate.
Commercial side-effect would maybe, that the clients remember the quality indication with stars in other places, like e.g. hotels, restaurants …
In the United Kingdom and in the States it was/is normally usual to indicate the quality of plate by use of letters:
AI or
A1 = extra strong Plate,
A = good strong Plate,
B = well plated,
C = lighter Plate,
D = lighter Plate.
As example of the being used gram of silver for 12 table spoon or table forks
(by Barker Bros. Birmingham, UK; around 1900-1910):
A1 = extra strong Plate Quality =
32 gram on
12 pieces =
2 2/3 gram per table spoon or table fork
A = good strong Plate Quality =
24 gram on
12 pieces =
2 gram per table spoon or table fork
B = well plated Quality =
16 gram on
12 pieces =
1 1/3 gram per table spoon or table fork
C = lighter Plate Quality =
12 gram on
12 pieces =
1 gram per table spoon or table fork
D = lighter Plate Quality =
6 gram on
12 pieces =
1/2 gram per table spoon or table fork
In Europe, e.g. in France and Germany, it was usual to indicate directly visible the gram of silver being used; if yours trivet were a French or German product, then there were indicated the gram of silver per (whole) unit.
Please look here for the indications:
http://www.925-1000.com/a_platenumbers.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Maybe this is a little help and informative too.
Kind regards silverport