Expert: Martin G Roberts - 3/11/2004

Question
Hi! I purchased a pewter cup from a recent estate sale. It is approximately 4" high, with a glass bottom. I'm trying to find out a little history behind the marks on it. I can't seem to find anything to decode them.

The four marks are.....
Rampant lion
Serpent's(?) head
Sword
The initials JE
---The initials WJE are carved on the front..

Answer
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This item probably should have a handle - so if not, it may be incomplete.

It is a late 19th century London made beer mug - probably a half-pint given the height. The marks are typical pewterer's pseudo-hallmarks - not the marks of the hall, but they originate as illegal copies of silver marks. The maker is James Edwards, who was working in London around 1860-1900.

The engraved initials on the front are usually those of the publican. When the base is pewter, rather than glass, there is often a fuller inscription with name of pub and publican engraved underneath.

These types of pieces are fairly common in the UK. In good condition, the value is around 40 pounds / 80 US$.

Hope this helps

Martin
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Martin Roberts
ANTIQUEMETALWARE
Shropshire, UK
stynt@btopenworld.com
www.antique-metalware.co.uk