Expert: Martin G Roberts - 10/17/2006

Question
martin,                                           please excuse my e-mail etiquette as i have only
had a computer for 5 weeks.my housekeeper gave
me a small pewter creamer.i am a bottle collect-
or but i found this piece fascinatig.it say's   
on the bottom in this order, from top to bottom.
SHANLEY G M Co their is a sheild with a anchor
in the middle and a capital E and P at bottom of
the shield.then the #'s 02979 then below the #'s
is 2  oz i would like to know the date it was
made, where it was made, and if it's worth any-
thing. thank you so much.
                          blair boyd

Answer
-

Can't help much - the maker's name is a new one to me. Probably American, late 19th or early 20th century I would think. The number is a pattern number. "2 oz" is unusual on a creamer - are you sure it's not a kitchen measure?

It may not be pewter. I suspect GM = general manufacturing, so more likely a more robust metal.

EP may indicate it was electroplated (i.e. cheap silver plate).

But all the above is speculation.