STERLING

[Bigcypresshunter]

When was STERLING first stamped in silver? I cant remember and I cant find it.

Also when did Aluminum become inexpensive? I forget that too..

Thanks

 

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[Diggit]

Until the 1820s or so, Pure aluminum was as valuable as gold, in the 1880s refining processes made it more available,but still close to silver. In the late 1890s, more advances in refining and smelting made it more common.
It was used in buildings and structures starting in the late 1890s.

Aluminum was still pretty pricey, and didn't make a real "impact"on construction and usage til the 1930s or so, when the Germans began to use it in dirigibles and limited aircraft usage.

(This is all from memory, so I estimated on dates)

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

BigCypressHunter wrote:
> When was STERLING first stamped in silver? I cant remember and I cant find it.

Since nobody has attempted to answer your question, I will. I believe that the earliest occurrence of the stamped word "Sterling" on silver objects seems to have occurred in approximately the 1880s/90s. I can testify that no American Civil War military insignia has the word "Sterling" stamped on it. Nor have I seen any DEFINITELY pre-1880s "silverware" or jewelry or rings with the word "Sterling" stamped on them.

I've been wondering about the answer to that question for many years. A couple of months ago, I came across a website which specializes in "antique" Sterling items, and has an Ask-A-Question option. So I used it to ask about the earliest occurrence of the stamped word "Sterling" ...and got an auto-reply saying my question had been received and would be answered "soon." But I never got an actual reply.

 

[Silver Searcher]

Sterling silver hallmark etching and engraving have been in use in England and France since the 14[SUP]th[/SUP] century. Most other European countries also use hallmarks. The United States has never used hallmarks per se.
From about 1840 to somewhere around 1940 in the United states and europe, sterling silver flatware became de rigueur when setting a proper table. In fact, there was a marked increase in the number of silver companies that emerged during that period.
The height of the silver craze was during the 50-year period from 1870 to 1920.

SS

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Silver Searcher wrote:
> The United States has never used hallmarks per se.

Pardon me please, but I must point out for other readers, that statement is incorrect. To see many-many photos of examples, go here: American sterling silver marks: marks and hallmarks of US makers: Hi-Hz

Hallmarks which REPRESENT sterling is not what BigCypressHunter was asking about. He wanted to know the earliest occurrence of the stamped word "Sterling" on silver objects.

BigCypressHunter, if nobody here posts an accurate answer to your question, you and I might have to go through all the photos at the "Silver Hallmarks And Marks - Antique And Modern Mark And Hallmark Of Silver" website. SILVER HALLMARKS: STERLING, SILVERPLATE, ELECTROPLATE, SHEFFIELD

For example, at that site, under the "H" names, the Howard Silver Co. of New York has a Sterling stamping including the date of 1897. See the photo below.

 

[Mackaydon]

BCH:
The word "Sterling" first appears on American silver circa 1800 when it was used by Baltimore silversmiths circa 1800-1814.
Source: eBay Guides - Sterling Silver What it Is, and is Not
Don........

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Thanks. I was trying to help solve another thread. It doesnt appear to be English silver.

One of the items from his cache simply says STERLING. No other mark or number..

It also seems to include aluminum medals.

 

[Silver Searcher]

Silver Searcher wrote:
> The United States has never used hallmarks per se.

Pardon me please, but I must point out for other readers, that statement is incorrect. To see many-many photos of examples, go here: American sterling silver marks: marks and hallmarks of US makers: Hi-Hz

Hallmarks which REPRESENT sterling is not what BigCypressHunter was asking about. He wanted to know the earliest occurrence of the stamped word "Sterling" on silver objects.

BigCypressHunter, if nobody here posts an accurate answer to your question, you and I might have to go through all the photos at the "Silver Hallmarks And Marks - Antique And Modern Mark And Hallmark Of Silver" website. SILVER HALLMARKS: STERLING, SILVERPLATE, ELECTROPLATE, SHEFFIELD

For example, at that site, under the "H" names, the Howard Silver Co. of New York has a Sterling stamping including the date of 1897. See the photo below.

Not according to Wikepedia it isn't, and I think they would know better than you. Is the image you posted Silver Plate, not Sterling Silver.

SS

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

What Wikipedia site?