Does anyone know what "Don Silver" actually is? The items are flatware made by Cross Bros in Cardiff. I know that Cross Bros made flatware for the gentry at the turn of the century (1905 ish) but that's all I know.
Please can anyone tell me anything else?
Any help greatly appreciated.
http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss30 ... GP3244.jpg
http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss30 ... GP3247.jpg
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Please can anyone help with identifiying "Don Silver"?
Re: Please can anyone help with identifiying "Don Silver"?
Hi,
Welcome to the Forum.
Cross Brothers of Cardiff were Ironmongers, Hardwaremen, and Furnishers, in the late 19th/early 20th century, I doubt if they made any flatware. It was quite common for the larger retailers to source certain lines and to have their names marked onto products by a manufacturer. In this case the maker is likely to be a Sheffield one (the river Don passes through Sheffield). Having their name struck on such items had at two advantages, permanant free advertising, and when a customer wanted to increase, or replace, items from their canteen, then they would know were to go for their purchases.
Your flatware is likely to be silver plated over a nickel alloy base metal.
Trev.
Welcome to the Forum.
Cross Brothers of Cardiff were Ironmongers, Hardwaremen, and Furnishers, in the late 19th/early 20th century, I doubt if they made any flatware. It was quite common for the larger retailers to source certain lines and to have their names marked onto products by a manufacturer. In this case the maker is likely to be a Sheffield one (the river Don passes through Sheffield). Having their name struck on such items had at two advantages, permanant free advertising, and when a customer wanted to increase, or replace, items from their canteen, then they would know were to go for their purchases.
Your flatware is likely to be silver plated over a nickel alloy base metal.
Trev.
Re: Please can anyone help with identifiying "Don Silver"?
Thanks for your help, much appreciated.
I've only seen Cross Bros at Cardiff museum in their "The Royal Hotel in Cardiff" dept. The cutlery there was all Cross Bros http://www.royalhotelhistory.com/conten ... ch-30-1866. (3rd paragraph up from the bottom)
I suspect you are correct and it's plated based on the fact there's no lion! But I'm interested in anything I can find out.
Thanks again
I've only seen Cross Bros at Cardiff museum in their "The Royal Hotel in Cardiff" dept. The cutlery there was all Cross Bros http://www.royalhotelhistory.com/conten ... ch-30-1866. (3rd paragraph up from the bottom)
I suspect you are correct and it's plated based on the fact there's no lion! But I'm interested in anything I can find out.
Thanks again