Wallingford silver plate pitcher

I don't know much about silver or silverplate and could use some help, please.

After removing most of the tarnish on this Wallingford silverplate pitcher (#403) using Wright's silver cleaner, I was disappointed to find brass-colored blotchy areas on the side with a monogram.

Is this just the underlying metal showing through? If yes, does that mean the plating is over brass?

Is it likely the monogram side was polished more, and that's why it only happened to this area?

Is there any market and/or scrap value to the pitcher in this condition? What would you do with it?

Thanks for any info.

 

I don't have a shot of the mark on the bottom. It looks like this...

Wallingford (in script)
SILVER CO
SILVERPLATE
403

 

Yes, that's the underlying metal showing through and a result of extra vigorous polishing. "Better" silverplating is often on top of a layer of copper plating, thus the color you see.

 

In natural light, the color is a little yellower than it looks in my photos... could it still be copper?

Is this probably a 20th century piece since the design is so plain?

 

I don't think they would have applied silver plating over brass. The base metal is often called "white metal" or nickel silver (a non-silver alloy) and was used because it wouldn't be quite as obvious when the plating started to wear off. Copper is a much better plating base.

Yeah, 20th century makes sense.

There's really no "scrap value" (although there are reports that if you have enough weight and a refiner who's willing, you can get a few bucks out of a big enough lot.) If it were mine I would probably put a really big bunch of flowers in it.

 

LOL! Yeah, I was thinking of just displaying it with flowers myself. And the non-monogrammed side looks fine. Plus who needs a "D" monogram showing when it doesn't even appear in you or your husband's first, middle, or last name?

What's odd is it almost looks like they intentionally put a gold wash around the monogram but screwed up and got the wash on other areas.

 

Hi,
A lesson in proper Victorian monograming. The linens, crystal and silver were all mongramed with the wife's initals. The husband's initals were for manly things. So all your good stuff should have the brides family name NOT the grooms.
greg

 

Interesting, Greg... I had no idea. I love how much I learn by reading posts here and the old AB.

I looked more at the splotchy areas again, and it really doesn't look at all like copper. I'm not sure what to make of it.

 

Um. Not so sure about the 'not over brass," thing. Somewhere is, or was, a tray of mine that is silver over brass. And I remember my grandmother having a couple of spoons which were well-worn with big yellow spots. They tasted of brass.

Re the pitcher -- one could always fill it with daffodills or yellow lillies and give it to the Dimbledors to go in their "shabby" sunroom.

 

Well, I did say I didn't *think* they would. But maybe the reason that you so often see 20th century hollowware with the "silver over copper" marking is because it was "better" than silver over brass?

Anyway, the yellow flowers sound perfect.

 

I can find absolutely nothing via google in aid of my theory. Nor can I find that darn tray. But the spoons I remember discussing with my grandmother, because the taste (to me anyway) somehow complemented her cup custard. (Served in little brown pots with cream inside. )

 

Duh! Look on eBay, Silverthwait! Several there, including one just like the one I remember. Maker: Sheets Rockford. (Always found that a silly name...)

 

Hi,
At an estate sale of a family friend, they were trying to sell a five piece silverplate tea set. At 5 dollars there were no takers. My 6 yr nephew thought it would be a great project to paint. They gave him the set. I bought him several tiny cans of Rustolum. He spent an afternoon "decorating" the set. Everyone thought it was ugly but told him it was pretty.
I thought it was amazing, so primative but still well thought out especially for a child who never shown any artistic ability. He had it in his room for a year or so. His parents had a garage sale, Matt bought it down to sell, oh no How do we deal with rejection? I asked him how much he wanted for it? He 'said you always say try and double your money after expenses". Little pitchers have big ears.. Anyway he decided 25 dollars. I said ok. Two hours after the start of the sale he went in to have lunch. A couple walked up the driveway and was poking around when they espied the tea set. They talked quietly to each other and after a few minutes offered 20, I called my nephew and asked him, he looked at me and I nodded. The couple were happy, my nephew was SMUG and deserved it. I was proud. The rest of the family were completely speechless. I always wondered if they thought the set was sterling under all the paint or just a wonderful piece of art.
greg

 

Hi Pat,
PAINT THE DARN THING!!!
greg

 

Love the story, Greg!

I took you up on your suggestion... whatcha think?

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Hi Pat,
TERRIFIC!!!! LOL
greg

 

Wow! That's great!

 

I'm shocking myself saying this but . . . I love it times 10. You are obviously talented and have rendered the pitcher quite stunning with your artistic efforts.

 

Aw, thanks!

Of course, I could do it this way for the blue and white china lovers...

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