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Posted 5 months ago
Hems303
(49 items)
I thought to share with you; my very unexpected* Christmas gift, that I just received from Rachel, my wonderful wife.
*Even after 29 years of marriage, every now and then, she still manages to throw an absolute suprise my way! ;)
The Sovereign case or holder is Gilt Sterling Silver by my favourite Victorian English Silversmith; Sampson Mordan. The inside of the lid bears the Hallmarks of The "Lion Passant" for Sterling Silver, The "Three Wheatsheaves & Sword" of the Chester Assay Office, The "A" date letter for 1901 and the Company strike "SM & Co Ld" for Sampson Mordan & Company. Finally the Company article reference number "793".
I wrote a little piece on Sampson Mordan his history and Company, in my previous pencil/pen posts on Collectors Weekly, such as:
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/64986-sampson-mordan-silver-pen-and-pencil-comb
As with all high quality English pieces, where there are various parts that could become separated (i.e. the suspension ring), they have been further Hallmarked with "Lion Passant" and "A" date letter. The case is gilded all over and does show some slight finger/pocket rubbing to the outer gilding. I can imagine the original owner rubbing the very tactile case whilst it nestled in his waistcoat pocket, suspended on his "Albert" chain, with his Gold Half Hunter watch on the other end! He would have been a gentleman of some very considerable wealth. There is the engraved monogram "AF" on the case lid. I wonder who he was, what sort of man he was ? The exquisitely engraved initials bring to mind my speculative Collectors Weekly posts on the Silversmiths engraved copper plates back last year:
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/67790-victorian-silver-engravers-work-samples
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/69180-salvaged-silver-engravers-work-sample
Rachel also got me a case "filler" in the shape of an absolutely mint 1891 Victorian Gold Sovereign. The case will happily take four or five coins on the sprung loaded platform clip. For anyone interested, there is an interesting article exploring English Gold Sovereigns on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sovereign_(British_coin)
Thanks to Rachel, and to you, my fellow CW Members for checking out my No.1 Christmas present! A very Happy New Year to you all!
English Sterling SilverNo one knows for sure, but some historians speculate that the word “sterlin…
World Gold CoinsGold coins have always been about more than just a means to a transaction. …
She sounds like a winner! Does she have a rich sister? Send picture of pass-book.
Best wishes for a joyous and splendid New Year, Hems!! : )
Hey, I'm not through with you yet! What about the rich sister-in-law? Tell her I'm "ultra-blonde" (grey actually) & I can send some pics from some body-building add. And I thought we were friends!
By the way, not hearing back from my "enthusiastic" snorkeling friends yet. New years distraction probably. I really don't like to go out on new years eve because of the amateur drunks. We professionals know how to drive drunk.
Uh, uh, uh . That's OK Steve. Haven't gotten a response out of my divers so this weekend is out.
Happy New Year, Hems and to you too Rachael!
Great, thoughtful gift!
Happy New Year vetraio50 & blunderbuss2, in fact to ALL Collectors Weekly members and visitors! Thanks for all last years useful (and humorous) comments, especially the latter with you b-buss2!
stunning:) and i lpove it :) happy new year to you Hems303:)
Thanks Sean! Happy New Year to you and yours!
your very welcome Hems303:) and thankyou as well:)
Thanks for all the "love-it's" from PhilDavidAlexanderMorris, epson233, BELLIN68, ttomtucker, kindy, vetraio50, Poop, mustangtony, musikchoo, AR8Jason, bratjdd, pw-collector, miKKoChristmas11, blunderbuss2 and mrmajestic1!
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What a magnificent piece! I have been keeping an eye open for one.
pops52...thanks for the kind comment. I had been looking for one over a long period and then the wife found one for me when I wasn't looking! The Sampson Mordan examples are hard to find for sure!