Expert: Martin G Roberts - 1/9/2009

Question
Martin - My wife brought home a pewter mug she found in Ireland. It is stamped on the bottom with the following: Craftsman Pewter, Made in Sheffield England. The handle is stamped with 'S.S. Leicestershire'. We're trying to date this mug and get a sense of its history. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Answer
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Hello Doug,

Your mug was made by Viners of Sheffield, England, famous as a cutlery manufacturer, who are known to have made (or at least retailed) some pewter under the CRAFTSMAN trademark in the late 1920s and 1930s. Pieces bearing this trademark are very often seen.

A quick Google suggests the SS Leicestershire was not laid down until after the Second World War, so possibly Viners continued using the CRAFTSMAN trademark for a few years later than is presently supposed.

Such a mug might have been a souvenir of the launch, or perhaps a souvenir sold on-board the ship. This is quite typical of uses for pewter mugs in the mid 20th Century.

You might discover more if you delve into the history of the ship. For instance, is it possible there was an earlier SS Leicestershire that might fit better with the known dates for the CRAFTSMAN trademark?

Hope that helps.

Martin
www.antique-metalware.co.uk