Expert: Martin G Roberts - 2/24/2009

Question
Hia Martin, I hope you can help! My mom has given me two mugs one silver in colour 1/2 pint with the markings wg@s in very fancy letters on the front. on the back there is a crown and underneath the letter vr and underneath that 6.I know vr is Victoria Regina and 6 is Birmingham but thats it. Can you tell me its age or anything else about it. The second is brass looking with the markings W & H underneath is Y followed by 53596 AI Walker and Hall Sheffield.1/4 pint.Again if you can tell me anything about their age would be good.
Thanks ever so,
Lisa, Shrops

Answer
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Hello Lisa,

The half-pint mug dates somewhere between 1879, when the UV number system was introduced allocating 6 to Birmingham, and 1901 (end of Victoria's reign). Most Birmingham verified mugs of this date were made either by James Yates or one of his successors. The engraved initials usually are those of the publican at the pub where it was in use.

You can read more about UV numbers and verification marks under the appropriate link on my website.

The other piece was made by Walker & Hall in Sheffield, but they were active 1852 to 1961, and made all sorts of objects in silver plate (electroplate) and silver, as well as Britannia metal (a pewter alloy). If your piece appears yellow, it maybe you have a piece once silver plated from which the plating has worn, exposing the base metal. 53596 probably will be the pattern number. Without inspecting this piece, I cannot give any more precise information.

Hope that helps.

Martin
www.antique-metalware.co.uk