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“F.W” Silver plate mark. F.Wilson or F.Whitehouse
Hello I’ve just bought a bunch of mixed flatware from an auction to give me something to research during the UK winter nights. I didn’t get very far however as straight away I found a complication over some maker marks on a spoon so I’m turning to the “Forum” for help. The photo below is the spoon in question with its associated marks.

The “F.W” in the kind of shield, using the net, brought up a reference for “Frederick Wilson & Co” a Sheffield electroplater dated 1882-1910.
The “Imperial” mark, using the net, brings you to “Frederick Whitehouse” of Birmingham 20th century. “Electro Imperial” also brings you to “Frederick Whitehouse”. There is no reference to a “FW” in a shield for this maker.
My opinion is that “Whitehouse” is the maker but that could in itself mean the date for that Company’s manufacturing starts in the late 19th century. My evidence for that is the number that is also on the spoon finial 216325 (sorry its upside down). The range of pattern numbers this particular one comes from is recorded on this Forum’s web site as from the 1893-94 period. I do not know if the pattern could be bought from another company by “Whitehouse” and thus manufactured in a latter period. I do not have the know how to research the pattern number but I am sure good evidence could be gleaned there.
Anyway the photo is there for debate. I look forward to being correct for a change, but equally happy to know who made my spoon.
Fishless
Ps. There may be others I need help with!!!

Hi Fishless,

My initial thought was that this was likely to be Frederick Wilson, for he had a history of using a heraldic shield during his time in the partnership with William Davis as Wilson & Davis, both on plated silver and with the marks registered at the Sheffield Assay Office.



However, as your research has already uncovered, Frederick Whitehouse of Birmingham is attributed as using the term 'Electro Imperial'



The plater's mark for Frederick Wilson is also contained in a heraldic shield, but appears as 'FW' over 'S', the 'S' being a likely indicator of Sheffield.

It is thought that Frederick Wilson traded alone as from 1882, Frederick Whitehouse was certainly in business by 1885, perhaps a lot earlier, but could it be that Whitehouse was imitating an earlier Wilson mark? Whitehouse was taken to court in 1898 accused of doing just that, see:

http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic ... 28&p=63771

Trev.

Thank you for your comments and extra info Trev. Thank you for agreeing with me this time. It would be nice if there were some other evidence to go on. I had hoped the registered type number on the spoon might be that. Is there anything other than date researchable with the number?
Thanks again for input.
Fishless

Hi Fishless,

I'm not aware of any resource for gaining further information on Registered Design numbers.

Hopefully someone else can offer some advice.

Trev.

Hi Fishless,

I would suggest visiting the National Archives website. I think you can request further information from there.

Roy