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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;

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

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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