Expert: Martin G Roberts - 6/21/2006

Question
Hi
It includes teapot with hinged lid, sugar bowel and milk jug.   markings are:( reading off the milk Jug)
trumpet with flags,
E.P.B.M,
JAMES DIXON & SONS,
SHEFFIELD,
8529
1/2
MADE IN ENGLAND
G
Now what I would like to know is whether I should clean these and to what extent... I've used a silver polish cloth on the milk jug and have got most of the tarnish off.. Havn't touched the others.
Was wondering what the set would be worth and if they need it ( won't know till I clean 'em), if I should get them re-plated?

Answer
-

EPBM = electroplated Britannia Metal, a cheap silver substitute. BM is a pewter alloy formulated for fabrication (rolling, stamping, etc) rather than casting.

EPBM is despised by collectors. And the maker was one of the largest manufacturers of such objects in England and is very, very common. The Made in England label tells me these objects are 20th century, so not antiques. All these points count strongly against the objects.

So no, it is not worth replating them. Just use an ordinary metal polish to clean if you wish, but only do so for your own preference, as the market value is pennies.