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We have a silver tea set with a mark that looks like a crude or simplified version of the phoenix used by Meriden/International Silver. I think it's different enough that it could be from a different maker. I'd appreciate any ideas or suggestions on identification.

Sorry, I thought I followed the instructions but the photos didn't post! Trying again ...

The trademark is crude and simplified as you say, and yet I believe it is still Meriden. Manufacturers did vary and simplify their marks as time went by.

::::: I have a combination hallmark of the traditional Meriden hallmark and the International Sterling hallmark. :::::
::::: So is this Meriden before it was absorbed by International Silver? :::::
:::::: Or is this after Meriden was absorbed by International Silver and the International Silver hallmark is just omitted? ::::::

This is International's 'Lord Robert' holloware pattern, more typically found with 'International Silver' and the Simpson, Hall, Miller & Co. 'knight's-head' mark, along with the pattern name. While the Meriden 'phoenix-with-M' mark was used on sterling well after the formation of Int'l Silver, at least into the '20s, most likely into the '30s, the 'phoenix-without-M' seemed to come into use around the 1930s or '40s, probably used into the '50s, found on a wide variety of holloware, often bearing production codes with 2-letter prefixes starting with 'W' (WB, WC,, etc.), also 'Royal Danish' pattern holloware (more commonly found with the S,H,M & Co 'knight's-head'), as well as on some pieces of Jensenesque flatware, probably designed by Alphonse LaPaglia...

~Cheryl