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Collectibles-General (Antiques)/Measuring tankards, query on marks, age, and use

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Expert: Martin G Roberts - 3/7/2009


Question

jug
Hello, I have a pint measuring jug stamped: crown over VR, over 57. It is also stamped 'R.E.Lane - Peckham'It looks like silver but is not hallmarked, so I assume it is plated. I also have a similar half pint jug, stamped 'Half pint', V crown R, 239, LCC.
I would like to know: what these are used for - was it in a pub?, who would Mr Lane have been? maybe the publican?
What does the number 57 and 239 signify? Is LCC London county council? What would the age of these vessels be? (I am presuming Victorian because of the VR mark)
I understand that measuring jugs were usually pewter, iis it rare to find one in this polished silver plate?

Answer
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Hello Nick,

This is indeed a plated piece, though the plating might be nickel rather than silver. Lane was the maker, or at least the retailer - Ralph Lane was supplying pewter in Peckham (part of London) from about 1890 to perhaps as late as 1940.

Plated pieces like this were made in London in some quantities in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries - they are not especially scarce. Some were made by firms that also made pewter, while others were made by firms that do not appear to have made pewter. Little research has been done on these plated objects, so we don't know much about the makers who specialized in only the plated versions.

The numbered marks are capacity verifications applied by weights and measures inspectors. You are right that VR indicates they date from the reign of Victoria. The numbers belong to the inspection districts: 57 is for Cheshire, a county in the north-west of England - this is possible, but most Lane pieces have district numbers from south-east England, usually London, so you might have to take another look at the number. You can read more about these verifications, and look up numbers for yourself, on the appropriate page on my website.

The number 239 is a London number, and LCC is indeed London County Council - that mark cannot be earlier than 1891.

Such objects were mostly used in pubs - this shape is usually a mug rather than a measure.

Hope that helps.

Martin
www.antique-metalware.co.uk
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentThanks very much for a very informative and interesting reply.


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Martin G Roberts

Expertise

Pewter of the 19th Century and earlier from the British Isles and Ireland. I can comment on origin, date, rarity, and value. I cannot give detailed information on 'art' metalware, Art Deco, Art Nouveau or Arts & Crafts metalware. See my website for more information: www.antique-metalware.co.uk.

Experience

A collector for twelve years and a dealer for seven.

Publications
Journal of the Pewter Society
Pewter Society Newsletter
Bulletin of the Pewter Collectors' Club of America

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