To punch the letter F in oval cartouche and the other regular hallmarks, was compulsory in all silver items imported in U.K, even very old ones?
I mean hundred or two hundred years old?
Thanks
Amena
British import marks
Re: British import marks
Hi Amena,
No, it was not. Your question is covered by the Customs Act, 1842 (No.2). (5 & 6 Vict. c.56) which, simplified, states that it it shall be lawful to sell, exchange or expose for sale such gold or silver plate* of foreign manufacture without assay and marking, providing it was wrought prior to 1800. The same would apply to any imports prior to the passing of the Act. The act also mentions, again simplified, that the onus of proof that such items were wrought prior to 1800 was with shall lie with the person in possession.
It must be remembered, of course, that prior to 1853, just about nobody knew anything about antique silver, although today we may find this hard to believe, such is the interest today in all things of age, then, silver was just something useful to invest your money in, and something easy to liquidate when funds were required. Outside of Goldsmiths' Hall (and only a few inside) the world knew nothing of the date letter system except that which was current.
See the 'Background Notes' in this article: http://www.925-1000.com/a_Spurious1899.html
*The old term for wrought gold and silver.
Trev.
No, it was not. Your question is covered by the Customs Act, 1842 (No.2). (5 & 6 Vict. c.56) which, simplified, states that it it shall be lawful to sell, exchange or expose for sale such gold or silver plate* of foreign manufacture without assay and marking, providing it was wrought prior to 1800. The same would apply to any imports prior to the passing of the Act. The act also mentions, again simplified, that the onus of proof that such items were wrought prior to 1800 was with shall lie with the person in possession.
It must be remembered, of course, that prior to 1853, just about nobody knew anything about antique silver, although today we may find this hard to believe, such is the interest today in all things of age, then, silver was just something useful to invest your money in, and something easy to liquidate when funds were required. Outside of Goldsmiths' Hall (and only a few inside) the world knew nothing of the date letter system except that which was current.
See the 'Background Notes' in this article: http://www.925-1000.com/a_Spurious1899.html
*The old term for wrought gold and silver.
Trev.
Re: British import marks
Many thanks, Trev, for your clarifier answer.
I had a discussion with a trader selling a very peculiar fork.
According to him it was from 1740, with British import marks of the early 1900.
He argued that it was mandatory to punch the import marks even on an very old object, but I doubted. Now it’s clear that it's possible, but not mandatory.
Forgive me if I put you in a hurry
Best
Amena
I had a discussion with a trader selling a very peculiar fork.
According to him it was from 1740, with British import marks of the early 1900.
He argued that it was mandatory to punch the import marks even on an very old object, but I doubted. Now it’s clear that it's possible, but not mandatory.
Forgive me if I put you in a hurry
Best
Amena