Pewter & Brass Tankard, Marked; Where & When, Please?

High probable it's English, but perhaps an Australian, Canadian or other Colonial maker. Plenty of wear, but only very minor distortion, somehow atypical of Pewter. I can read the marks, but they have no meaning save the word PINT. There appears to be a single hallmark, above the GR; the best I can describe is a tree within a pentagonal shape...perhaps a crown, but it's so tiny, and somewhat worn...as noted above, the amount of wear suggests age, and beyond that, loving care as well; most old, used pewter I've seen is beat all to rat-crap! I've forgotten where it was acquired, but it's been at least 40 years judging by the stuff it was packed away with. I like it a lot.

It's 4 3/8" high, 3 1/8" lip ID, 3 3/4" foot OD; it weighs 22 1/2 oz (639 grams). Thanks for lookin'!

 

English. If those are the only marks, then no maker mark, only the pint capacity verification mark, GR for king george rex, from 1910-1922. The numbers under the GR can tell you where it was used in England, but too complicated for this US citizen to figure out. But check pewtersociety.org for a very long paper which may tell you if you are very patient. Or send them a question, they do answer and can tell you more than you want to know about it. https://pewtersociety.org/identifying-and-collecting-pewter/verification-and-capacity-marks

 

Thanks, Jeff! I'm aware of pewtersociety.org, but hadn't thought to pester them before bringing it to our experts. I'm grateful for your thoughtful response!

 

I think that's George III not George V. The later Georges had regnal numbers. Shape is Georgian too.

 

Whoops, posted this by error. See below.

 

Are you dis-agreeing with Obb, Jeff...or?

 

I know you know a LOT more about English stuff than I do, but I’ve been collecting antique pewter for decades, and without intending to have ended up with a lot of English measures (maybe a dozen?) So I wonder if your response is from collecting pewter, or just from what you saw on the web. I can explain why I’m convinced this is a 20th century piece, George V, but would like to know what knowledge base you’re starting from so it doesn’t sound like I’m talking down to you, because be certain, I’m not.

Best would of course be to ask at pewtersociety, and post their reply here.

P.s. I said 1910 to 1922, but that was wrong (see how I don’t know the kings well?) It should be 1910 to 1936; If im decoding correctly, I’m thinking this is dated 1930.

 

Thank you, Jeff...I had seen, but cannot find again, a paragraph somewhere that showed a different mark for an earlier George. I would be thrilled to have the turn out to be from George III...but I'm quite content to have it be more recent. pewtersociety is going to be my next stop...and I will post their response here.

 

I confess large ignorance about such eras, and the attendant styles...can you point me toward examples of 'Georgian' shapes, please? Thanks!

 

You're not in the least talking down, don't worry. I'm not a tankard collector, but I've seen a fair old few here in person.

For one thing, it's very well made. Heavy, solid, and satisfying, if that makes sense. The 30s ones I've handled look more flimsy. And that wear looks older too. The sort of thing used for a long time in a tavern or pub. By the 30s, glass was the more common vessel. I don't think this was someone's personal tankard either, they're usually monogrammed.

The handle is classic Georgian - think silver tankards, which it's emulating. The bands, too. The font on the word pint looks older.

Anyhow, see what the pewter society say, they're the experts. it may simply be that it's an unusually well made later one.

 

Dear Warren
Thanks for your enquiry 8 September about your brass rimmed English, straight sided pewter mug which looks in good condition. This has seen service in public houses as it carries a verification mark put on by the Excise Inspector when he checked the capacity in use to ensure that the publican was not giving short measure. It was checked in London in the reign of King George V (1910-1936). This style of mug was popular towards the end of the 19th century. If you are lucky there might just be a maker’s mark on the inside base often under a layer of dirt which can be removed with gentle scraping with a wooden lolly stick or similar.

There is no makers mark on the inside base...Sigh.

Thank you, Bear, for your very thoughtful & illuminating comments!

 

Oh, there you go, definite experts!

It certainly got well used. That sort of implies it may have been made in the late 19th, but not checked till later, which is interesting. But styles linger.

 

Thanks for posting, not only do they answer, but they are quick!

Those were exactly my conclusions, as stated above. To add a bit, the brass rims on this style of straight sided vessel were first used in late Victorian times (1880s or so) but continued to be made into the 20th century. If you can’t find a makers mark, the verification date is the earliest you have to go on.

Wear is not a good indicator of age of on pewter; after a couple decades of active use most pewter will shows abuse like this because of its soft nature. To recognize early pewter you need to start with the marks, then look at vessel style, then look to patina and finally wear. This piece didn’t meet any of those check marks for early pewter, except for wear. And of course all of these things can be faked, but good fakes are as rare as good early pewter. This is not a fake, but a good later example that is itself probably antique now.

Op, since they responded so quickly, maybe you can send a follow up email to them, asking whether the lower number in the verification mark is for the year, 1930? That is something that I’ve wondered about, and I bet they know the answer.

 

I've got a couple of older pewter tankards somewhere, I must fish them out.

 

Interesting thread and good info. Thanks all. Great that the pewter society responded so quickly. However while on the subject. Can I maybe ask what the VR on this one stands for?

 

Would that be Victoria Regina?

 

Yes it would.

 

That would make sense, at first impression. But under a 10X triplet the 2nd character doesn't appear closed...making it a C rather than a zero. A difficult call, though, and worthy of the follow-up you requested.

 

That’s great to know. Many thanks

 

Not a little strange that the 2nd character is so unclear? All the other characters are still so clear (and were so well struck)