How do you date Walker and Hall silver?
From centuries British silver is protected by the stamping of symbols and letters identifying the maker, the Assay Office and the date in which the quality of the silver piece was verified. Thanks to the “date letter” any piece of British sterling silver can be exactly dated.
What happened to Walker and Hall?
Walker & Hall were subsumed into the Clore Group and ultimately into British Silverware Ltd in 1963, and finally shut down as a manufacturer in 1971. The name was later revived as a retail firm.
What does W&H mean on silver?
The base of the object is stamped with a W&H pennant, the words “Walker & Hall Sheffield” and a serial/item number. The object belongs to my parents and I haven’t seen it for many years so I can’t confirm whether it’s solid silver or plate.
When did Walker and Hall start?
1845
George Walker first established Walker & Hall in 1845, and in 1853 the business was joined by Henry Hall, and thus the company became Walker & Hall. Although the company began in Sheffield, they were truly an international business.
How do you identify hallmarks?
The four components of a hallmark are: the sponsor or maker’s mark, the standard mark, the assay office mark and the date letter for the year. Hallmark identification should answer four important questions – where; what; when; who.
What do numbers on silver plate mean?
Silver products sometimes may be marked 925, which means that 925 parts per thousand are pure silver. Some jewelry described as ”silver plate” has a layer of silver applied to a base metal. ”Coin silver” is used for compounds that contain 90% pure silver.
Who is Walker Hall?
The silversmiths Walker & Hall were a very successful manufacturing firm based in Sheffield, England. Sheffield was a place renowned for its steel making & it follows that Walker & Hall also specialised in electro-plating & gilding too. The company was established in 1845. At this time it was known as Walker and Co.
Is EP silver worth anything?
Since there is only a small amount of silver on each item, there is no melting value for silverplate. Pieces that are more decorative, rare, and in good condition might sell for more money. Silverplate value is more about the antique market than it is about the metal market.
Do Diamond rings have a hallmark?
All Purely Diamonds rings and jewellery are hallmarked at British Assay offices ensuring our precious metal jewellery is compliant with the UK’s hallmarking regulations.
What is Crown hallmark on gold?
The next mark we see is a Crown or Gold Standard Mark. This was first introduced in 1798 and can now been seen on all UK hallmarked gold that’s 9, 14 18 and 22ct. We now come to the mark that tells us the gold fineness (purity).
What does 3 crowns mean on silver?
If the salad set bears a three crown mark that looks like this then it is solid silver of at least 830 fineness.
When did Walker and Hall silversmiths start in Sheffield?
The history of Walker & Hall Silversmiths did not begin until 1845, considerably after the highlight of the silversmith era in England. However, the demand for silversmiths, while diminishing due to mass industrialization, was still quite prominent across most of England. In Sheffield, George Walker established his silversmith business.
When did Walker and Hall start making silver?
Walker & Hall were Sheffield Makers specialising in silver and silver plate from the mid 1800’s. They became one of the largest manufacturers and retails from the late Victorian to the first half of the 20th Century. Although primarily Sheffield Makers, items with London, Birmingham and Chester Assay Marks can also be found.
What is the trade mark of Walker and Hall?
The trade mark of Walker & Hall is a pennant (tapering flag commonly flown by ships at sea) containing the initials W & H. To follow the evolution of the shape of the flag in sterling silver hallmarks or in other dated documents is a useful reference for the approximate dating of silver plate marks. There are essentially three types of flags:
When did Walker and Hall change their name?
Walker & Hall was converted into a limited liability company in 1920 under the style Walker & Hall Ltd and combined in 1963 under the British Silverware Ltd with Mappin & Webb and Elkington & Co. Walker and Hall Sheffield were primarily Sheffield Makers, but items with Birmingham, London and Chester Assay Marks can also be found.
