Expert: Martin G Roberts - 1/7/2007

Question
Hi Martin,

My grandmother recently gave me a James Yates pint pewter tankard. It has numerous markings which I am keen to find out the meanings of. I will do my best to describe them to you..

VR with a 6 under it. There is also an upside down G next to the VR.

ER with a crown. The numbers 244 are under the ER.

G IV with crowns between the G and IV

There are also a scattering of numbers which look as if they have been added over time. These are 03, 6 ( both in large print ) and smaller 6, 7, 07, 08 following.

The words James Yates are printed next to the handle.

The tankard is in fantastic condition. I wonder how it got to New Zealand for my grandmother to acquire it!

Any help about the meanings of the markings would be much appreciated. Thank you very much for your help!

Kind regards,

Toby.


Answer
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James Yates worked in Birmingham, England, 1860-1881, though the trade name was used by successor firms until about 1900, and in a modified form until the 1970s.

This one was made around 1880-1900. You have local weights & measures inspectors' capacity verification marks with regnal monograms and uniform verification numbers: VR6 is Victoria Regina reign and Birmingham (where it was made); ER244 is Edward VII and Tynemouth (north-east england), where it was used. You can read more about these marks on my website at www.antique-metalware.co.uk, clicking on the verification marks menu link. The scattered nos. are date years of re-verifications (1903; 1906, etc.). The G may be another year digit, or an endorsement to a verification.

GIV would be George fourth (1820-30). But as you see, James Yates did not start until 1860. However, until the 1980s the accepted (but entirely wrong) dates for Yates were 1800-40. In the early 20th century several unscrupulous dealers were enhancing pieces with marks that we now know to be wrong, most of these pieces being for export, especially to the USA, but also the Antipodes.

Martin
www.antique-metalware.co.uk