Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers

by Dorothy T. Rainwater

Book Overview

With more than 2300 marks illustrated and brief histories and cross-references of more than 1600 manufacturers, this is the most comprehensive reference source on the subject. To compile the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0517521458
• ISBN13: 9780517521458
• Release Date: January 1975
• Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (NY)
• Length: 222 Pages
• Weight: 1.26 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Useful for the amateur archaeologist/house restoration hobbyist

I got this book through inter-library loan on the advice of an online silver seller and hobbyist? expert? We are restoring an 1800s farmhouse in New York state, and have found various bits of silver and pottery and other things. Everything is quite worn and dirty from being underground for decades. I did a number of online searches but it was this book which enabled me to identify, just in the course of one afternoon, two pieces of cutlery -- one old silver, one less old silverplate, and be fairly secure in the ID because this book tells a bit about some of the marks, such as their locale. No resource is infinite. This book shows many, many marks, and the text tells of the history and relationships among many of the manufacturers. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone else doing research. Don't forget your loupe or other strong magnifier!

5TH EDITION

This is the 5th edition of one of the most inclusive and readable books on American silvermakers. A lot of encyclopedic silver books are mostly concerned with 18th or early 19th makers, this book includes 19th and 20th century makers with their marks and information about each one. My 2nd edition is worn and I'm delighted to have this new one.

Really good on the details!

I have found this to be of immediate value in figuring out who made what. No, it doesn't have all the answers, but covers most things pretty well, and certainly better than any other reference I have. A must for any serious collector or dealer of American silver.

A wonderful reference for collectors or dealers...

This reference would be a wonderful addition to any silver collector's library. It contains over 2400 marks, along with information about over 1600 manufacturers of American silver. Unlike some other books (Kovel's wonderful guide comes to mind), it goes into a bit more depth, with histories of and information about the makers themselves, rather than just the marks. There are lots of black and white photos, showing some of the marks themselves as well as samples of the works on which they appear. All in all an excellent reference for either the collector or the dealer of American silver, and worth the wait to order.

Must-have book for American silver enthusiasts

It's hard to believe this book is out of print. Collectors have relied on it for years and years. It not only helps to identify marks but gives histories of many of the companies that enrich one's view of industry in the U. S.