Expert: Michelle Lieberman - 5/22/2009

Question
QUESTION: I recently found a old soup ladel the markings on the back of the handle reads as follows ROCKFORD.S.P.005.THEN A SYMBOL OF A STAR. WHAT TIME FRAME AND VALUE IF ANY DOES THIS HAVE? THANK YOU

ANSWER: Hello George.  Without knowing which pattern you have, it's hard to give a value.  Soup ladles (I'm talking about the over 10" sized ladles) in any silverplate pattern do well, and could be worth anywhere from $50 to $200 depending on the pattern.

The Rockford line was produced from 1882 until 1925.

Regards,
Michelle

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Michelle thank you for your answer. However,I think it is a gravy ladle it measures 7" long and has a rose pattern on the handle. I also made an error on the markings on the back it reads as follows. ROCKFORD.S.P.C0.5*

Answer
A gravy ladle would be worth quite a bit less than the figures I gave you, you can figure on a range of half of what I had previously said.  Gravy ladles were much more commonly seen in a basic flatware set, soup ladles much less so.  But again, the value will depend on the pattern.

- Michelle