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This old ladle (if it is a ladle) has 5 marks in a straight line on the back of the handle and I can't find any one of them. I don't know where to start because it doesn't have the lion passant, etc. I am not sure if it is solid silver but it looks like it is. It has a goldish sheen to the silver and is quite a thick and heavy item for the size which is 5" long and 2" wide at the spoon end.

I have looked at these marks every which way and the only ones I am sure of are the last four. The first is the most difficult and is subject to interpretation. Here is a verbal description which may help.

The first of the five marks looks like a sheekskin in a circle or an elongated X with a line through the middle horizontally in a circular shape

The second mark is a 6- scalloped circle within a round circle

The third mark is a 1 lying horizontal within a rectangle
The fourth mark is IY within a round cornered rectangle
The fifth mark is &S in a round cornered rectangle

This is silverplate. Maker is Israel Yudelmann & Sons 1905 to 1925 look here. http://www.925-1000.com/silverplate_Y.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Marks of this type is typically silverplate. They look like silvermarks but are missing the official control marks.

Thank you very much for your reply. I was looking under "I" instead of "Y". Must be very good silverplate though, as no sign of any wear. I brought it with me from U.K.

There is nothing wrong with silverplate. Silverplate has the look of silver and it remains butifull for a long period.
And most of all price i much better.
When we talk old silver - remember the price of silver (put in a spoon) was more expencive that the manufacture of the spoon.

In my country - we had a control system. The 3 towers late around 1900 smart marketing men introduced the 2 towers. (see section with danish silver)
When I wa a child I remember old people saying "When you purchase 3 towered silver - you by silver for yourself, your children, and their children and their children..... when you purchase 2 towered silver you by silver for yourself and your children."
And I must say wise words and true.

I was looking under "I" instead of "Y"

For future reference, the Silverplate marks section, as well as the American Silver Manufacturers marks section, are cross referenced in order to allow identification by initials. Just click on "Initial Marks" in the main menu of either section.
The Yudelman mark is also here in the I section of initial marks ->
http://www.925-1000.com/silverplate__Init2.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Regards, Tom

Any idea on what the first two marks stand for? I have a sugar tongs with these marks.