| Is seems everyone I meet or know loves browsing | | | | a salad course, then a fruit course and so on. |
| antique stores and malls and has started a collection | | | | Consequently, as you forage through stores, looking |
| of some kind. And, as someone who frequently goes | | | | for patterns you like, you will not only find forks, |
| "antiquing" I can tell you, vintage silverware pieces | | | | spoons and knives but may also stumble up beautiful |
| have become popular and are relatively easy to find. | | | | demitasse spoons for coffee or even rarer, terrapin |
| Maybe you've thought about collecting a few pieces | | | | forks used for eating turtles. |
| to serve with or would really like a complete set for | | | | - Appearance and Authenticity |
| special occasions. Whatever the case may be, it's | | | | As you scour antiques stores for vintage silverware |
| helpful to know a little bit about vintage silverware | | | | you'll inevitably find pieces which have been repaired. |
| (flatware) and what to look for when purchasing | | | | This usually does not hurt their appearance but may |
| pieces. Consider the following when buying: | | | | reduce their value. On the other hand, slight signs of |
| -Sterling Versus Silver Plate | | | | wear will not reduce value. However, try not to |
| Setting a table with sterling silverware was a sign of | | | | purchase extremely tarnished pieces of silverware. |
| wealth in Europe, England and early America. Only | | | | Often tarnish will hide damage and imperfections. |
| within the last century, with the advent of the | | | | Also, be aware that many times flatware pieces |
| electroplating process (silver plating), has it become | | | | have been altered to make them appear rare. For |
| an affordable luxury for the average family. Silver | | | | instance, spoons are sometimes cut to resemble ice |
| plated pieces are what you will most likely find. These | | | | cream forks or have been pierced to look like sugar |
| pieces will have the maker and the company name, | | | | sifters. |
| and terms such as: "A1" or quadruple plate" on them. | | | | - Caring for Vintage Silverware |
| Sterling silver pieces are rarer and are marked only | | | | Once an investment is made in vintage silverware in |
| with the maker's name or initials on them. | | | | is a good idea to do everything possible to preserve |
| - Choosing a Pattern | | | | the beauty and value. After eating or serving with |
| If you're going to try to accumulate enough pieces, | | | | vintage pieces always clean them thoroughly. Then, |
| (several place settings) from a particular pattern you | | | | store them in a dry place preferably a silver file or |
| especially like, then you're more than likely going to | | | | drawer. Cover pieces with soft cloths to prevent |
| face a challenge. There are hundreds of styles, and | | | | tarnish. When it comes time to polish, use a |
| patterns as well as many makers of flatware. It may | | | | non-abrasive silver polish and soft polishing cloths. |
| be wiser to take the mix and match approach. This is | | | | Again, wash and dry thoroughly. |
| good way to put together a set of vintage | | | | If you're seriously considering building a collection of |
| silverware. In the end you'll have a service that is | | | | vintage silverware then educate yourself. There are |
| both practical and visually pleasing, when arranged on | | | | books available on collecting silverware. Check your |
| a table. | | | | local library and bookstore or go online and google |
| -Variety of Eating Utensils | | | | the words "antique silverware" for sources. Also, I |
| From 1870 to 1920 the popularity of silverware was | | | | recommend shopping at more established antique |
| at its peak. Flatware makers made up to 100 | | | | businesses. There you will find a better selection and |
| different types of pieces for a particular pattern. | | | | sales people more knowledgeable about their |
| During this time, the Victorian Era, dinner was an | | | | inventory. In the meantime have a ball rummaging |
| elaborate event which sometimes lasted eight or | | | | through aisles and stalls in antique stores and malls, |
| more courses. Dinner began with a soup course, then | | | | searching for beautiful patterns of vintage silverware. |