Starting To Collect Silver [Hardcover]

Ian Pickford (Author)

Book Description

Series: Starting to Collect | Publication Date: January 25, 2007

After an introduction to the full background of silver as a precious metal, Ian Pickford's guide offers a lively, authoritative survey of the diverse uses to which it has been put in decorative and practical objects throughout history. He examines the makers, their techniques, and the types of decoration used, and also gives clear coverage of marks and assay offices, an understanding of which is vital to the collector. There is coverage of fakes and altered silver, as well as advice on caring for silver. This is an ideal book for the novice collector who wishes to avoid pitfalls and ill-advised purchases. Existing collectors will find all titles in the series act as handy and portable references, and beginners will welcome a reliable, accessible starting point from which their interests can develop. This fascinating book describes, in an easy to read manner, the many problems and pitfalls which face the novice ... It would be impossible for a beginner to read this book without learning The In

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This fascinating book describes, in an easy to read manner, the many problems and pitfalls which face the novice... It would be impossible for a beginner to read this book without learning" The Independent "An ideal book for the novice collector who wishes to avoid pitfalls and ill advised purchases" Antiques Info

About the Author

Ian Pickford is the editor of the Antique Collectors' Club's standard reference work Jackson's Silver & Gold Marks of England, Scotland & Ireland, and the author of Silver Flatware: English, Irish & Scottish. He lectures and broadcasts extensively. He is one of the key experts who appears regularly on the BBC Television programme Antiques Roadshow.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Antique Collectors Club Dist (January 25, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1851494502
• ISBN-13: 978-1851494507
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #579,019 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #47 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Precious Metals

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The BEST Book for New Collectors of Silver!, August 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Starting to Collect Antique Silver (Hardcover)

Ian Pickford is my kind of writer! He approaches the stuffiest of subjects with a down-to-earth style that fascinates his reader with neat silver facts beginning on Page 1! For example, did you know that pure silver is self-sterilizing (bacteria cannot live on its surface) or that silver is so malleable that one Troy Ounce can be made into a wire 40 miles long? The book also contains a clear and concise explanation of hallmarking systems and how silver is made as well as good examples of the types of items a new collector is likely to encounter. Unlike some other books on the subject, his explanations are not limited to a specific piece but cover things to look for within a category, such as candlesticks, coffee pots, or cigarette boxes, to name just a few. Other chapters cover the subjects of silver plate, fakes & forgeries, and how to care for fine silver. This is my favorite book on facts about silver (not just the antique variety) and I'd highly recommend it to anyone interested in the subject.

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Best Information You Will Probably Never Use, December 13, 2001

By 

BobA. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Starting to Collect Antique Silver (Hardcover)

This book has the same faults as similiar books on furniture,
china, etc, in that it assumes you are a new collector of
moderate means, say, $250,000. Most of the material is 18th century or earlier, and it should have gone to the end of the 19th, if the title of the book means anything. The people who write these books are used to dealing with museums, well-heeled collectors and high-profile dealers, people with whom I rarely come into contact in my modest collecting experiences. I do not question the knowledge imparted by Mr. Pickford, merely the usefulness of it. "Only rarely will a rococo salver of asymmetric shape be found". Thank you, Ian, I will keep that in mind.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A splendid book!, April 20, 2005

By 

Nathaniel R. Brown (Edmonds, Washington) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Starting To Collect Silver (Hardcover)

Pickford's Starting to Collect Antique Silver is splendidly innlustrated, clearly and entertainly, not to say gracefuly, written (with just a touch of irony in a few spots!), well laid-out, and very useful and informative.

Pickford includes short chapters on the history of silver and its production, the history of hallmarks, a discusion of how silveware is made, and one of the most useful and well-presented tables of date and place marks I have seen. There are generous color and B&W plates illustrating different kinds of silverware and the evolution of each type. Pickford gives valuable hints as to how to begin collecting (and what is collectable) as well as very useful information about the care and cleaning of old silver.

The book does not include a list of silversmiths and their marks, for which the interested reader must go elsewhere, but these are perhaps beyond the intended scope of the book. Make no mistake, this is a splendid achievement and a very valuable book, and no one with an interest in the subject should hesitate to buy it.

Highly recommended.