Expert: Martin G Roberts - 1/3/2005

Question
My parents purchased a pewter tankard from Nieman-Marcus around 1960, and I'd like to know if it is of any value. The Neiman-Marcus sales tag (still attached) describes the tankard as follows;

Handsome 19th century pewter half-pint tankard. Height 3 1/2", slightly tapering drum with a moulded band above the foot. Made by James Yates, a famous English pewterer from c.1800 in George 3rd period onwards. In front is a "VR" which stands for Victoria Regina. An excise mark stampedc.1840 when the capacity was tested. The THREE CROWNS & HULL is a local excise mark. Hull is a northern seaport. Evidently this pewter mug was used in an old tavern or inn there. Made in England 1840  

Answer
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All the information is entirely accurate, except for the dates which have been revised following research conducted in the 1980s. James Yates' working dates are c1860-81 (reign of Victoria), and his workshop was at 39-40 Coleshill Street, Birmingham (a city in the centre of England). The VR mark is probably accompanied by a number, which will be a uniform verification number - you can look up the districts to which these relate on my website. If there is no number or other symbol in the mark apart from a crown and VR, it may be a spurious mark added in the early 20th century by fakers exporting antiques for sale in US department stores. These spurious marks are quite common on 19th century British pewter mugs and measures now circulating in North America.

Martin
www.antique-metalware.co.uk