Customer Reviews

Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers (Schiffer Book for Collectors)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This reference would be a wonderful addition to any silver collector's library. It contains over 2400 marks, along with information about over 1600 manufacturers of American silver. Unlike some other books (Kovel's wonderful guide comes to mind), it goes into a bit more depth, with histories of and information about the makers themselves, rather than just the marks. There are lots of black and white photos, showing some of the marks themselves as well as samples of the works on which they appear. All in all an excellent reference for either the collector or the dealer of American silver, and worth the wait to order.

In comparing to previous edition: lots more text & many more entries!!! Format changed to 2 columns - a little harder to find things w/out white space. Some hallmarks repeated from the last book have lost their clarity. Weight convertion chart is added, so is cross-referencing company names. But there is no 'flow chart' of companies as in the last edition. Seems to be no additions to the glossary. A must buy even if you own the previous edition!

It's hard to believe this book is out of print. Collectors have relied on it for years and years. It not only helps to identify marks but gives histories of many of the companies that enrich one's view of industry in the U. S.

I have found this to be of immediate value in figuring out who made what. No, it doesn't have all the answers, but covers most things pretty well, and certainly better than any other reference I have. A must for any serious collector or dealer of American silver.

This is the 5th edition of one of the most inclusive and readable books on American silvermakers. A lot of encyclopedic silver books are mostly concerned with 18th or early 19th makers, this book includes 19th and 20th century makers with their marks and information about each one. My 2nd edition is worn and I'm delighted to have this new one.

A very fine book, however wrong mark is shown for Old Newbury Crafters. O.N.C. never
uses a "bird" mark on their sterling. The mark is that of Meriden Silver. Other information
hopefully is more accurate.

I find myself reaching for this book again and again. Its very easy to find exactly what you're looking for, so its perfect for quickly looking up marks & facts about certain makers while shopping. Its fairly inexpensive, but if you can only afford one or two antique silver guides, I would be sure to put this one at the top of your list!

I got this book through inter-library loan on the advice of an online silver seller and hobbyist? expert? We are restoring an 1800s farmhouse in New York state, and have found various bits of silver and pottery and other things. Everything is quite worn and dirty from being underground for decades. I did a number of online searches but it was this book which enabled me to identify, just in the course of one afternoon, two pieces of cutlery -- one old silver, one less old silverplate, and be fairly secure in the ID because this book tells a bit about some of the marks, such as their locale.

No resource is infinite. This book shows many, many marks, and the text tells of the history and relationships among many of the manufacturers. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone else doing research. Don't forget your loupe or other strong magnifier!

While the description of this book was accurate, I guess I was expecting more. More hall marks, more organization, and more finding aids. Also, it would appear that most of the material in this book is available on the internet. On the other hand the book did help me to avoid bidding at auction on a piece of 2nd rate silver plate that I thought was sterling. In cost avoidance, that alone probably paid for the cost of the book!!!

A full four, but certainly no 5.

This book alone, by helping to identify the hallmarks of certain manufacturer's, enabled me to sell products to a knowledgable audience for much more than I would have been able to without it.