unknown maker mark (similar to Alvin)

[ericfeeney]

I have a silver overlayed glass flask that reads "PATENTED 214 990/1000 FINE" and then the maker mark. It resembles Alvin Mfg Co. but the bird is different and on the wrong side of the "A". I am at a total loss on this and any information on this piece would be tremendously appreciated.

[2209patrick]

Welcome to the forum.

I believe it is an Alvin mark.
Here's a better picture:



Pat.

[ericfeeney]

Thank you Patrick for your help. I did notice that it was hard to see the detail of the mark That I was asking about so I added another close up picture. I think that I do see differences between the mark you show and the one I have on the flask. if I am over examining this, please tell me. Thank you for the input and any further insight.

[silverly]

It's not an everyday occurrence, but by the same token it's not unheard of for a die to get reversed during cutting, so I definitely agree with Pat that this is an Alvin mark.

Primarily because the bird is so poorly rendered compared to the original Alvin mark, it makes me wonder if this wasn't Fahys version of the Alvin mark that was done for watch cases once Alvin was taken over by Fahys. The 900/1000 may go along with a Fahys product as well.

Sorry I'm no real help, but it may be something to think about.

[silverly]

Once again I have to correct myself. I take it all back about Fahys. I do think it is an error in cutting the die for stamping the mark. And after a third or fourth look, I see the 990/1000 mark which was the same as Gorham's standard for art silver, but it is only a guess on my part to say that Alvin made pieces along that same line.