This is my find for today Not sure what metal this is - could be silverplated something I suppose. - it is very slighty attracted to a rare earth magnet. Magnet very loosely hangs onto it. It was a bit dirtier but I wiped it down with a damp cloth and it cleaned up pretty good. Does anyone know what this mark is? A5 or AS or R5 or RS? The mark is raised, not engraved ~ . Thanks again for all the help ~
I think that is "AS" on the bottom. There is an A.S. Solingen, Germany that makes candlesticks like these. The logo of this company is conjoined AS. I have a pair of candlesticks marked "AS Solingen, Germany" that are similar. I have found ones identical to yours marked with the same conjoined "AS," but also have Solingen, Germany. Do look at the pics and note the AS mark is like yours. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-2-Vinta...n-Candle-Holders-Germany-Chrome-/292000650894 https://www.etsy.com/listing/240524...erest&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_campaign=Share https://www.etsy.com/listing/260351751/vintage-as-solingen-germany-fluted BTW, my candlesticks look like the following. This seller says the maker was Arthur Salm. I have included a link to a *pdf file about Arthur Salm. My what a history!! He was a German Jew who was in Dachua, managed a release and with his wife and daughter was finally able to emigrate to the US via Netherlands and England in 1940. Seems in 1952 he set up a giftware company in Chicago. He traveled quite extensively in Germany and eventually went into partnership with a Walter Henkels (not J.C. Henckels, the knife manufacturer) of Solingen, Germany. Solingen is noted for its stainless steel especially in relationship with knives/blades. The article shows the same conjoined AS logo that is on all these candlesticks including mine. My candlesticks: http://www.ebay.ie/itm/AS-Arthur-Sa...903964?hash=item3d30c0259c:g:YBcAAOSw8gVX-dyL Article on Arthur Salm: a pdf file http://www.silversocietyofcanada.ca/sites/default/files/Hood_0.pdf --- Susan Edit: Here's the patent for your candlestick/holder: https://www.google.com/patents/USD2...ved=0ahUKEwj4w_qV0v3RAhVC6IMKHZmdBUoQ6AEIHDAA
Wow Susan - This is incredible information! So interesting the life of this man! I agree the mark is almost certainly the same - although mine is missing the "Solingen, Germany, and the other lettering, and the AS mark is in a different spot on the bottom. Your knowledge and search skills are astounding!
I was interested in your candlesticks because of mine with the same conjoined AS. Mine were given to us as a gift sometime in the late 1960s or early 1970s. I hadn't been able to ID "AS." On a quick search found several like yours with no one IDing the AS. Then lo & behold found some like mine with the name Arthur Salm. On googling that name came up with that biography on him. Now not only you, but also I, know the maker of our candlsticks. No doubt these candlesticks are stainless steel. Stainless steel usually has very little magnetic attraction because of the % if chrome & nickel in its make-up. I haven't ever been able to successfully use magnets on our stainless steel refrigerator door. What does surprise me is the lack of the word stainless on the candlesticks. --- Susan
Stainless steel is doubtful. It is very hard and hard to work. The cast base would require nearly 3000 degrees to melt if steel. More likely a copper, nickel, zinc mix. 'white brass'.
I read through the pdf that Susan linked to - and indeed, Arthur Salm specialized in pretty exclusively stainless steel products, mostly flatware and household decorations. That's probably a good indicator that it's stainless.
