Customer Reviews

American Silversmiths and Their Marks: The Definitive (1948) Edition (Dover Jewelry and Metalwork)

5 star:		(1)
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3 star:		(1)
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Not until you open the book to the first chapter do you find out that the marks are limited to the period 1650--1850. No marks after 1850.

For the time period covered (1650-1850) this is a very useful, almost exhaustive reference. I turn to it when I need to identify a hallmark, and find the illustrations to be very helpful. I thought it was a good buy.

Although limited in periods covered (stops at 1850), this is a handy, easy to carry reference. Kovel's may be more extensive, but the additional info is often not what you need in the middle of the antique mall checking out a possible purchase. I find I use both, write notes in both, and have many pieces I know are American and I can't find the marks in either. So, what the heck, for ten bucks it's worth having with you BEFORE you buy.

All of the Dorothy Rainwater silver books are abosolutes musts for any serious sterling silver collector of American silver, or any antique dealers who deal in silver. Or anyone now buying silver for meltdown. It will help you sort from the ordinary silver to the silver that could be worth far more than per ounce than melt down. It is the reference. Fairly logical in its layout, though I would have liked more cross-listing between companies that were bought by other companies. Still, if you are at all serious about sterling collecting, this is a must have.