Confusing silver cigarette case

Bar · Post by **Bar** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 4:05 am

I was looking through my collection of cases, and I have one which I'm not sure if I've properly identified the hallmarks on it.

I believe the anchor to be Birmingham, although it's sideways on a piece of silver? (marked by the lion passant.) I did read once that this was possible, although I'm not sure when, or on what.

Also the lower case q which I am having some real trouble figuring out the year by. The closest I could find would be 1890 Birmingham .925 silver by reading the hallmarks - Can anybody confirm my findings?

Here are pictures of the case:

Any help identifying the hallmarks would be appreciated, as it's now 4:04 in the morning and I've been up all night trying to figure this out it's puzzling me.

Thanks!

silvertt · Post by **silvertt** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 4:59 am

Hi there,
You're correct Birmingham 1890/91 both letter, typeface and punch shape confirm. Maker/sponsor was Deakin & Francis. I've come across sideways marks particularly on smaller pieces. You probably know that duty on silver was removed on the 30th April 1890 and 'hallmark year' changed in July each year.
Hope this helps.
Tony

Alain · Post by **Alain** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:28 am

Hi Bar,

Deakin & Francis Ltd (Stephen Henry Deakin & John Horace Francis)
Regent Place, B'ham.

Regards,

Alain

Bar · Post by **Bar** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 12:34 pm

Thank you very much for the fast and detailed responses. I appreciate your time and expertise in the matter. I am happy to have finally identified my favorite cigarette case which has been eating at me for some time.

Post by **admin** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 12:42 pm

Could you provide the dimensions, to my eye seems more likely a card case.
Regards, Tom

Bar · Post by **Bar** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 11:09 pm

4" tall, 2.75" wide, 3/8" thick

In Metric I think that is roughly 10cm tall, 7cm wide, 1cm thick.

Do those measurements help?

Bar · Post by **Bar** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 11:15 pm

You know, that never even occurred to me that it may be a card case, come to think of it I believe you are correct! That could explain why it has zero trace of tobacco in it, I acquired it with a set of lighters and a humidor. I suppose the lot was incorrectly labeled, and I never knew it!

georgiansilver · Post by **georgiansilver** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 11:04 am

The dimensions would concur with it being a card case rather than a cigarette case .... Best wishes, Mike.

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