Expert: Martin G Roberts - 8/2/2007

Question
I'm hoping with your expertise you could shed some light on a few pieces I have recently acquired. The first is a James Yates Pitcher of some sort.(maybe for water?) It is about 12" with a single handle the length of the pitcher. It is in excellent condition. The other is a set of 3 measures/mugs? 1/2 pint, gill and 1/2 gill are stamped on the belly along with a name "J. Bayliss"? In a signature form.(I'm assuming they were made for this person)Along the rim of all 3 are stamps:
C * S N along with a crown and a VR with 559. Could these items be of any value and what would these date back to? I truly appreciate any insight or info you may have! Thank you so much!

Answer
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The three measures (not mugs) were used in Hampshire (the C*SN and VR559 are both local capacity verification marks for the county), and probably date around 1860. Bayliss would be the licencee of the public house where they were used. Value of these 3, if an original set and in excellent condition, something around 100 dollars or 50 pounds.

Regarding the pitcher, I would need to see a photo of the piece and the James Yates mark. If authentic, it would have been made in Birmingham (England) around 1870, but the name James Yates was used by later firms right up to the 1980s, and most objects of this type are from the mid 20th Century. If it is late, the value is very small indeed - it is solely a decorative piece, not collectible. If you have photos, send them to stynt@btopenworld.com and I shall comment further.

Martin
www.antique-metalware.co.uk