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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;DragonflyWink, post: 9495667, member: 111&quot;]You are mistaken - it is not true that Gorham&#039;s <i>&quot;Lion-Anchor-G (LAG) would always be accompanied by the words “sterling” or “coin” on silver pieces, they also produced plated pieces with the LAG marking omitting the purity designation.&quot;</i>&nbsp; Again, as previously stated, and as indicated in the 1869 advertisement posted, as well as numerous other ads over decades, their lion-anchor-G mark is an indication and guarantee of solid silver, the anchor on its own indicating silverplate - there are quite a few Gorham silver pieces without indication of fineness, especially in coin - those with knowledge of Gorham marks are likely snapping up all those silver pieces dismissed as silverplate.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>If sellers and buyers are mistaking Gorham for Birmingham silver in this age of easily accessed information, it&#039;s just an indication that they&#039;ve not done their research.&nbsp; Gorham was a prolific manufacturer that advertised their trademark heavily, and the form resembling British hallmarks was certainly a respectful nod, but no need or intention to deceive, frankly their silver was highly regarded, their mark well-known, and they were primarily wholesalers to the trade, so they certainly weren&#039;t trying to &#039;fool&#039; their retailers.&nbsp; Might also keep in mind that British hallmarks required a fourth mark, the maker/sponsor mark - Gorham&#039;s various versions of its &#039;lion-anchor-G&#039;,<i> was</i> their maker&#039;s mark.</p><p><br /></p><p>Gorham was not the only maker to use marks that resembled British hallmarks, they were commonly used by 19th century American coin silver makers (well before Gorham&#039;s mark), along with later silver and silverplate manufacturers (well into the 20th century), quite a few Canadian companies also used pseudo-marks, like P.W. Ellis&#039; &#039;anchor-maple leaf w/E-lion&#039; mark, and even English silverplate manufacturers used pseudo-marks, not to cheat or fool buyers, whether at wholesale or retail, but they might fool those guests who flip a piece over for a peek...</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Eh, believe what you like, and I&#039;ll do the same.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Would suggest their possible imaginary thoughts might have been, &quot;This is a common form for an American mark, we&#039;ll use a lion for silver, because its a known symbol, an anchor for Rhode Island, and a &#039;G&#039; because, well, we&#039;re Gorham.&quot;</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Nope, &quot;nothing innovative or new about its design&quot; - just a basic manufacturer&#039;s trademark that served them well, regardless of your opinion...</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>~Cheryl[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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