S kirk and sons

Ooooo lol

 

From what i understand Kirk called it estrucan i absolutely enjoy all the history and learning some new things i am getting from all of this,

 

Much of the old silverplate is on copper and later on nickel. Neither would be magnetic. Any places on the tray that show wear?

 

Oh ok. Not really sure what that would look like on silver. My first guess would be no. And if the "Y" stamped on it is visisble (although hard to locate) any other markings should be just as discernable, rt? My first instinct would be to say its nothing. But in finding the "Y" and not knowing why (no pun intended lol) its there and not knowing anything about markings on silver or being able to find anything definitive about the "Y" online has left me puzzled.

 

See and thats my dilema. Why can i not find more pieces with this finial? Is it significant? So far i have only found a set made for Thomas Swann, then governor of Maryland with the swan finisl. But his set is complete and has his familys coat of arms on the side.

 

Its definitely plated. Beautiful. Heavy. But plated lol

 

. Why can i not find more pieces with this finial?

one reason could be that no one else has posted a photo of one online...

the internet is not the world, and it's possible that other fine pieces like yours , may only be found in old catalogs...

 

Well here is an interesting update!
Found amongst the other belongings in the storage unit were so ticket stubs from some operas and phamplets what looks to be from a trip abroad. Little souvenirs I suppose to help document a nice European vacation. They are from all over. Plus some old pictures with the name Judge Edward Kemp (Orphans Court) from Baltimore, Maryland. Father of C. H. Rhett and grandfather of Margret (Riggs?)

Right time and place for sure! Currently in touch with several museums in Baltimore and doing alot of homegrown research. Also sent an inquiry to Sotheby's.

 

@KrisG , I hope you've gotten some good help from the museums and auction house. By the way, on the back of the photo of the man it says he was father (of?) "Mrs. C. H. Rhett" (Or, I think the name is Rhett, as you do). The "Mrs." part is half gone.