Sheffield silver engraved trade catalogue

Abstract

A fine large format fully engraved catalogue of silver and silver plate consisting of 52 engraved plates showing a total of 131 individual pieces. As was the custom, it is not identified as to maker nor even to place of origin, but it is surely from Sheffield as it turned up there only recently (2013). Forms include candlesticks, wine coasters, two branch candelabra, footed communion cup, ‘weaters’ pepper casters, candle snuffers, cake baskets, cans, cups, ink stand, cruet stand, taper stand, sugars, coffee urn, condiment sets, flagon, tea pots, decanter labels, decanter coasters, dish cross, serving spoons, funnell, toast rack, and the like. The pieces are numbered, more or less consecutively from 1 to 131. The paper is variously watermarked with a heraldic device and the word “DURHAM.” I cannot find a date watermark. T. Crom in his Trade Catalogues 1542 to 1842 states that “almost all silver plate catalogues were issued unidentified or anonymous to comply with the wishes of the retail merchants” (p. 209). That is the case here. See the V. & A. catalogue Old English pattern books of the metal trades (London, 1913). Their entry M.105.a is a Sheffield catalogue with similar watermarks, similar contents, and similar size. They do not date this catalogue but other Sheffield catalogues in the V. & A. collection date between 1792 and 1804. A reasonable guess for the present catalogue is ca. 1800. The standard source on this subject is F. Bradbury, History of old Sheffield plate (1912, reprint 1969). McKinstry, Trade catalogues at Winterthur, lists about a dozen early Sheffield silver plate catalogues. Provenance: 1. “S.F.S.”; 2. Wright & Mansfield; 3. Edward T. A. Neve (?), 1889.” (Charles Wood, cat. 167, # 134)