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Paul Revere identification

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 7:16 pm
by enorman66
I have what I believe is a Paul Revere ladle. Very few were made. I am having a hard time finding an authentic collection of Paul Revere hallmarks to compare them too. I am also not sure if they were done by Jr or Sr.
According to:
http://www.paulreverehouse.org/bio/silver.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
30 Ladles - 11 (1761-1783); 25 (1783-1797)

Anyone know where I can find authentic hallmarks?
And find a way to authenticate this piece.

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Re: Paul Revere identification

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 8:38 pm
by wev
I'm not sure how you decided that "few" were made. The 25 mentioned in the link are actually quite a large number, given the period (and is also too small a number: 32 are recorded in public collections alone). Kane's Massachusetts Silversmiths shows the known and vetted marks. It is also worth noting that Revere's marks lead the list of most often reforged and have for a long time -- the earliest spurious pieces are now antiques in their own right. You would do best to approach a large institution (Yale, Boston, etc) and see if they will assist you. No one (at least no one to be trusted) will be able to give an accurate assessment of your piece without having it in hand.

Re: Paul Revere identification

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:36 am
by JLDoggett
Wev is correct, unless one can examine the mark in hand it would be impossible to authenticate a so-oft faked make. I have handled 2 real pieces in my 40 years and possibly 300 fakes.