Expert: Martin G Roberts - 10/24/2006

Question
Dear Mr. Martin Roberts,

I am attaching 3 pictures of a pewter mug which I purchased at a yard sale for $5.00 here in San Antonio, Texas.  I like the pitcher and have it sitting on my mantel over the fireplace next to my english blunderbuss.  I have searched the internet for information on the markings and learned a little about it.  On the lip just to the left of the handle it is stamped with the word "QUART" and to the left of that, the letter "E", a picture of a crown, and the letter "R".  Below that is the number "239".  Below that are the letters "LCC".  Engraved on the front of the pitcher in very fancy script are what appear to be the initials "MSW".  On the base of the pitcher is the following.....  "Rising Sun. Vernon St. W Kensington."

My guess is this was a pitcher used at the Rising Sun Pub  or maybe Restaurant, by someone with the initials "MSW".  My internet research indicates that the "239 LCC" is universal verification #239 which would represent London County from 1891-1965 and the LCC stands for London County Council.

My question is this.  Does the "E crown R" mean this was stamped during the reign of Edward VII, Edward VIII, or Elizabeth II?  

I sincerely hope you can help me resolve this.

Mike Maloy
e-mail: Chinook501@aol.com

Answer
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Excellent description, and good research so far, but no photos, as there is no way to attach them through AllExperts. Actually it would have been a pub, not a restaurant. MSW would be the publican's initials (i.e. the owner, not the user of the piece). 239 is UNIFORM verification number, not 'universal' (re-read the intro to verification marks on my website, which I guess is where you got the dates for UV239). ER is for Edward VII, so your piece dates around 1905. Edward VIII abdicated before being crowned, so his regnal monogram would not occur.

Martin Roberts
www.antique-metalware.co.uk