About Michelle Lieberman Expertise My expertise is in the area of American sterling silver and coin silver flatware and holloware, including identifying silversmiths and makers, types and patterns of flatware and their usage. I am unable to answer questions pertaining to silverplate or foreign silver.
Experience With over 25 years experience in selling vintage silver, I now devote much of my time educating others in this field.
Education/Credentials BA California State University Los Angeles
I bought 16 pieces (dinner forks, teaspoons & knives) of this silverware at a flea market for 25 cents each. I believe the pattern is International Orleans by Wm. Rogers Mfg Co. Are they silver or silver plate? How much is each piece worth? Should I clean the patina off these pieces before I sell them? If so, what is the best method? Thx so much! The answers you provide are always informative and helpful!
Answer Hello Stephanie. This happens to be a pattern that was made in both sterling and silverplate. The sterling pattern, which is called Orleans, was made by International under the company name of Century and were sold by Sears Roebuck.
The Wm. Rogers version is silverplate, goes by the names Silver Mist and Marigold, and was issued in 1935.
You can determine whether you have the sterling version or the silverplate version by what is written on the back. American sterling is always marked either Sterling or 925/1000, so if either of those are missing, you have silverplate.
Yes, you should clean them. Use a gentle silver cleaner such as Wright's Silver Foam. Do not use dips such as Tarn-X. The idea is to keep the dark patina in the nooks and crevices, which enhances the pattern. Dips will remove all this patina, and devalue your pieces.
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