Expert: Martin G Roberts - 7/9/2008

Question
Hello Mr Roberts.

I was hoping you could assist me with a pewter tankard please.

The base is marked Gaskell&Chambers (London) + BLACKFRIERS RD. It's 14.4 cm high. Slightly tapering with a diameter of 11cm at the top, 12cm at the base. The rim has a 1cm deep brass band. It is basically plane sided with just a couple of molded rings towards the bottom, one about 6 cm up and the other at the bottom. Just under the brass rim it has G.R with a crown on the side with 522 LCC 20. It hold a generous two pints + a good head!!

I was wondering how old it may be? If it could have had any Services connection and the usual question of what it may be worth?

Thank you in advance.

Regards.

Andy Spiller

Answer
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If the rim is triangular section, then this is a brass-rimmed measure of a fairly common type. If this type, then the capacity to lip should be very close to 2 Imperial pints, which is a quart (if you are in the US, you may be using American pints, which are smaller).

If the rim is copper, and constructed as an extension of the pewter, rather than a reinforcing band, then it is a scarcer variant made only by Gaskells, intended to take the head of beer so that true measure of liquid was served.

Made around 1920 in London, and bearing a capacity verification mark for London (GR = George V, whose reign it was when the weights and measure inspector verified it; LCC = London County Council; 20 = 1920; 522 = uniform verification number for LCC - see my website for more details).

No services connection - it is a pub measure, and of late date.

Gaskells was a Birmingham manufactory, started in the late 1890s and continuing to the 1970s. The trade name is still in use, and successor firms still operating. The Blackfriars Road address was their London outlet, where they seem to have sold brass rimmed measures made in London by other firms. Gaskells were prolific, supplying all sorts of pub wares, and their products in pewter are very common.

Value perhaps 20 pounds if a brass rim, perhaps 40 pounds if a copper extended rim, provided condition is excellent. Damage detracts significantly.

Martin
www.antique-metalware.co.uk