Expert: Martin G Roberts - 7/26/2006

Question
Dear Sir,
My mother has asked me to clear out her unit of many old items that she has collected over the years.
Among them is a large tea or coffee pot of a pewter appearance about 10 inches tall.
On the base it reads James Dixon & Sons, Sheffield.
Above this is a letter 'G' and a figure '8', and below is the number 4050.
I have ascertained that Dixon & Sons are a very well known firm, but can you help with a possible date of manufacture of the item?
Any help appreciated.

Answer
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They first used the terms "sons" and "sheffield" in their mark in 1851, and if that is all there is apart from numbers and a letter, then it is perhaps not later than 1870. Nonetheless, Dixons Britannia metal (a pewter alloy formulated for fabrication methods of production) is not particularly collectible, so being mid 19th century will not do much for the value.