Product Description

This guide provides an alphabetically arranged list of all known makers' marks from the commencement of the registers at Goldsmiths' Hall in 1697 down to 1837. 3473 marks are reproduced from the actual registers and a further 441 from a variety of other sources. In addition to the main section on London makers' marks, there is also a section covering provincial makers who registered their marks in London. The book also contains a biographical dictionary of makers, totalling nearly 2600 names.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #422871 in Books
• Published on: 1990-06-18
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 784 pages

Customer Reviews

A "MUST HAVE" for any serious collector Engish Silver
Comprehensive illustrated list of registered and un-registered maker's marks, plus watch case and buckle maker's specific to London - along with biographical information, fleshing out each of these silversmiths. This book compliments the hailed Jackson's, and is often more useful and detailed. Every serious Collector of English Silver should have this in their library. My copy is frequently off the shelf !

The best book on London Georgian Silversmiths
The title London Goldsmiths, although, like the book very accurate, may mislead some people as the term Goldsmiths embraces Silversmiths. This is, to my mind, the only authoritative published source for the marks and details of London silversmiths of the period. Jackson, often quoted as the silver "bible ", is totally outclassed on London smiths by this book.

It basically comprises of lists of all "makers" marks in the surviving London Goldsmiths Hall registers, with virtually all except the very minor silversmith marks illustrated, plus brief information, especially dates, for each smith. Details of the minor smiths, including the bucklemaker marks are confined to the mark, address and dates of punch registration . For everyone else Grimwade gives all the information he can squeeze in, with his very extensive research covering father, apprenticeship details , changes of address etc. Details from Heal and the Parliamentary Report of 1773 are also added to each biography.

There are two missing registers of the period (Smallworkers 1739 -1758 and Largeworkers 1758-1773) although what marks and details from these registers which were known to Grimewade are given.

There are very, very few errors and the book is a masterpiece of research ,information and compression.

Any dealer or collector of the silverware of the period MUST have this book. The cost may seem high - but my copy has virtually disintergrated from use and I will replacing it with new one - although copying over my notes will be a daunting task.
When it was out of print copies were eagerly bought at virtually any price up to £250 so do not let it's current availablity escape you.

The One Essential for all Silver Collectors
This is indeed the one book that should be on every silver collector's bookshelf. Well written, thoroughly researched and as accurate in detail as you could hope to find - the only book to really cover the silversmiths of this most important period and assay office in the history of silver.