Latvian makers mark

[orsolina]

I have a couple of solid silver cigarette cases one of which I am pretty sure is Latvian although I am not sure of the date. There is a makers mark VAN does any one have any information on this mark? Thanks
http://www.pbase.com/orsolino/image/108419642" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.pbase.com/orsolino/image/108419695" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[paulh]

According to the references that I have there are no Latvian silversmiths with the initial VAN. Could you get a clearer picture of the mark with the head. This will tell where it was made.

Paul

[dognose]

Hi,

Welcome to the Forum.

Just to add to Paul's request, is that another mark on the rim, on the left of your photo?

Trev.

[orsolina]

Thanks to both of you - I will try and get a better image tomorrow in the day light - although it is very small and indistinct!

[orsolina]

After much fiddling about - this is I'm afraid the best I can do on this one. Oh and - no there is not a mark on the rim.
http://www.pbase.com/orsolino/image/108448177" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.pbase.com/orsolino/image/108448225" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

(admin note) - the [img] tags do not work unless the address ends with an image file type (.jpg, .bmp, .png, etc. etc.), please stop adding them, they only interfere with the link.

[Juke]

Hi!

What I can see from the photo, it seems that it is not a Latvian but a Sovjet mark used between 1927-1954. The head is a workers head with a hammer underneath. There should be a symbol on the right side of the face. If it is a delta (Moscow) or alfa (St.Petersburg or Leningrad in those times) then it is sovjet silver. The only question is the makers mark?

Regards,
Juhana

[paulh]

Some clue as to the origin, may be taken from the fact that the maker's mark VAN is in a Latin and not Cyrillic script. I can find no one whose name matches those initials in any of the referneces that I have, but it would seem likely that the maker was from a region of the USSR in which Cyrillic was not exclusively used.

The assay office mark is still difficult to make out from the picture. Could you perhaps describe it?

Paul.

[orsolina]

Thank you both - will have another look tomorrow in the daylight