Expert: Michelle Lieberman - 5/30/2009

Question
I have a 5 piece sterling silver tea set that has been in my family for years.  It is marked the meriden Brita company 1835,  It has been in my family for years and I am wondering what the value might be and also if the company is the Meriden Brittania Co. from out east.  Thank you

Answer
Hello Linda.  That would indeed be the Meriden Britannia Company of Meriden, CT.  They started in business as silverplaters in 1852, began producing sterling holloware in 1895, and was one of the companies that joined together to form International Silver in 1898.  The use of the Meriden mark was discontined in the 1930's.

I'm assuming you have a teapot, coffee pot, sugar bowl, creamer, and waste bowl.  Prices for 5-piece sterling tea sets (and if it's sterling, it will be marked as such) begin at $1,200 and go on up from there.  The more ornate the pattern and grander the set, the higher the price.  

Regards,
Michelle