The Compendium of Chester Gold and Silver Marks 1570 to 1962, from the Chester Assay Office Registers

Maurice H Ridgway and Philip T Priestley

ISBN 10: 1851494472 / ISBN 13: 9781851494477

Published by Antique Collector's Club, Woodbridge, Suffolk, 2004

About this Item

This is from the dustwrapper: "The Compendium spans nearly four hundred years, from the reign of Queen Elizabeth the First through to Elizabeth the Second. It includes all known registered and unregistered marks associated with goldsmiths from Chester and the rest of the country together with official Chester Assay Office marks. The makers' marks run from 1570 to 1962 at which time the Assay Office was closed by Act of Parliament. This is the first time that all known Chester marks have been assembled and is the first publishing of the twentieth century marks. The authors, both members of the Silver Society, were given unlimited access to the Chester Assay Office records covering the period 1687 to 1962, and the Chester Goldsmiths' Company records dating from the sixteenth century. They were also allowed to photograph the copper plates on which the makers' marks and assay marks had beeno struck. In all, approximately 10,000 marks are recorded in the Compendium with nearly 2,000 entries for manufacturing and retail jewellers and more than 800 listings for the watch trade. The trades shown in the Compendium cover a vast range of wares including ecclesiastical vessels, maces, medals, teapots, tankards, spoons, walldng sticks, umbrellas, thimbles, jewellery, arts and crafts items, rings, wine labels, coffin plates, pencil cases, thimbles, mounts for claret jugs, cups, mugs and other drinking vessels, watchcases, chains, fobs, ferrules for pipes and other tobacco fancy items. Manufacturers' agents, wholesalers, importers, the Arts and Crafts Movement and art students attending Liverpool and Manchester colleges are all featured. This book will complement the existing information on Chester and provide an essential reference work. Since at least 2,000 of the entries have Birmingham addresses, this new work will also enhance the available thformation on jewellers and silversmiths working in that important trade centre." Hardcover in dustwrapper. xxii, 520 pages, 8.5 X 12 inches. Near fine book in a near fine dustwrapper.

Seller Inventory # 006494

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Compendium of Chester Gold and Silver Marks 1570 to 1962, from the Chester Assay Office Registers
• Publisher: Antique Collector's Club, Woodbridge, Suffolk
• Publication Date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1851494472
• ISBN 13: 9781851494477
• Binding: Hard Cover
• Edition: First Edition
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good

About this title

Synopsis

This is the first publication in a single work of all known Chester punch marks, and continues the tradition of the standard volumes of Jackson, Grimwade, Culme and Pickford. It is also the first time that the twentieth-century Chester marks have been published. It is produced in dictionary format, in alphabetical order from 1570, the date of the earliest known mark, to 1962 at which time the Chester assay office was closed. The authors, both members of the silver society, were given unlimited access to the Chester assay office records covering 1686 to 1962, and to the Chester Goldsmith's Company records dating from the 16th century. The compendium has four sections. The preface provides an historical background and details of all extant records and copper plates. Part 1 is devoted to assay office marks, with a full set of date letter tables to assist the reader in dating wares. Part 2 covers nearly 10,000 entries for makers' marks, including pictograms and monograms. Finally, the appendices inclu