Side One TRUMPETS AND BUGLES Fanfair Reveille Bugle call - cook house Lights out Label Label colour Logo type Reference Number Catlogue Number Surface Quality Playing Quality Columbia-England Royal blue/light gold gold CWA 9663 YB 9 Perfect framing quality. Not a mark nor scratch. Excellent Perfect. Not a mark nor scratch. Zoom in on those grooves.

Orchestra tuning up side. I think this has never been played as it's so perfect, with not even a minor scratch. Perfect! Need to wake some one up with a start? The bugler here will certainly do that. All the well known trumpet and bugle sounds. And if they weren't enough there's also the orchestra tuning up, and the applause of the 1930s audience. Feel those cheers and whistles from over 70 years ago. Perfect gift, ideal for hobbists or collectors and enthusiasts. Sound effects workers, film industry or those simply interested in this fine relic of past glory days. "ebay78recordsHistory"

Side Two Label is royal blue, not brillaint blue as above. Orchestra tuning up Chord off and applause Label Label colour Logo type Reference Number Catlogue Number Surface Quality Playing Quality Columbia-England Royal blue/light gold gold CWA 9327 YB 9 Perfect framing quality. Not a mark nor scratch. Excellent Just get a close up of those grooves, nothing to be seen in the scuff or scratch department. Framing quality, would look lovely on someone's wall this.

1361 Also posted to: Home page . At: 7:10:26 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Very rare 78 rpm early 1930s Orchestra tuning, Trumpets and bugles (Cat. No. Columbia YB 9)

Side One Fairground Crowd effect and roundabouts, etc Label Label colour Logo type Reference Number Catlogue Number Surface Quality Playing Quality Columbia-England Royal blue/light gold gold WA 9275 YB 2 Perfect framing quality. Not a mark nor scratch. Lovely! Excellent Nearly mint, so nearly it could be. Like it's never been out of the bag. Perfect for framing.	This is perfect, maybe framed on the wall of a doctor's surgery, "CROWD EFFECT OR ANGRY MOB!" It's certainly of framing quality. Either side. Perfect gift, ideal for hobbists or collectors and enthusiasts. Sound effects workers, film industry or those simply interested in this fine relic of past glory days. "ebay78recordsHistory"
Side Two Orchestra tuning up (no talking) Applause at concert Single glass dropped Tray of crockery dropped Waterfall Label Label colour Logo type Reference Number Catlogue Number Surface Quality Playing Quality Columbia-England Royal blue/light gold gold WA 9270 YB 2 Perfect framing quality. Not a mark nor scratch. Excellent! Excellent

1360 Also posted to: Home page . At: 7:08:51 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Very rare 78 rpm early 1930s Angry mob, fair gound Sound Effects (Cat. No. Columbia YB 2)

Side One Office of typists Single typewriter Restaurant or teashop noises (with incidental music) Label Label colour Logo type Reference Number Catlogue Number Surface Quality Playing Quality Columbia-England Royal blue/light gold gold CA 16669s YB 27 Very light, hardly noticeable low surface scratches. Framing quality. Excellent	A broad selection of authentic 1930s sounds. Recapture these moments. Perfect gift, ideal for hobbists or collectors and enthusiasts. Sound effects workers, film industry or those simply interested in this fine relic of past glory days. "ebay78recordsHistory"
Side Two Orchestra tuning up (no talking) Applause at concert Single glass dropped Tray of crockery dropped Waterfall Label Label colour Logo type Reference Number Catlogue Number Surface Quality Playing Quality Columbia-England Royal blue/light gold gold CA 16687 YB 27 Very light, hardly noticeable low surface scratches. Framing quality. Excellent

1359 Also posted to: Home page . At: 7:06:36 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Very rare 78 rpm early 1930s Orchestra, typewriters, dropped glass Sound Effects (Cat. No. Columbia YB 27)

Side One BIG BEN STRIKING The quarters and 12 o'clock Single typewritter Restaurant or teashp noises (with incidental music) Label Label colour Logo type Reference Number Catlogue Number Surface Quality Playing Quality Columbia-England Royal blue/light gold gold WAD 14 YB 13 Very light, hardly noticeable low surface scratches. Framing quality. Excellent 'bigBenLightScratch.JPG"	blah Perfect gift, ideal for hobbists or collectors and enthusiasts. Sound effects workers, film industry or those simply interested in this fine relic of past glory days. "ebay78recordsHistory"
Side Two Telephone bell (intermittant ring) Three types of clock ticking Label Label colour Logo type Reference Number Catlogue Number Surface Quality Playing Quality Columbia-England Royal blue/light gold gold Wa 11974 YB 13 Very light, hardly noticeable low surface scratches. Framing quality. Excellent

1358 Also posted to: Home page . At: 6:49:48 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Very rare 78 rpm early 1930s Telephone, clocks, Big Ben Sound Effects (Cat. No. Columbia YB 13)

"The data shown here is necessarily abbreviated. For fuller details, one of the standard Hallmark books should be consulted. "Bradbury's Book of Hallmarks", (J.W.Northend Ltd.) and "Hallmarks & Date Letters" (NAG Press)"

1357 Also posted to: Home page . At: 11:36:47 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: British Hallmarks London, Birmingham and Chester

Side One TYMPANI ROLL CYMBAL ROLL Label Label colour Logo type Reference Number Catlogue Number Surface Quality Playing Quality Columbia-England Royal blue/light gold gold WA 11710 YB16 Very light, hardly noticeable low surface scratches. Framing quality. Excellent

Add some sense of impending drama with these classic percussion rolls. Firstly, the classic 1930s continuous drum roll, full of impending suspense. Then the more theatrical cymbal roll, followed by the Tympani rolling their thundering bass. Over 70 years ago this would have had the audience sitting at the edge of their seats. Think of the most dramatic moments where the climatic action rises like a cymbal crescendo and burrows into your chest like a tympani roll. These are the very effect that cause that atmosphere. Perfect gift, ideal for hobbists or collectors and enthusiasts. Sound effects workers, film industry or those simply interested in this fine relic of past glory days. "ebay78recordsHistory"

Side Two CONTINUOUS DRUM ROLL Label Label colour Logo type Reference Number Catlogue Number Surface Quality Playing Quality Columbia-England Royal blue/light gold gold WA 11978 YB16 Very light, hardly noticeable low surface scratches. Framing quality. Excellent

1347 Also posted to: Home page . At: 6:16:03 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Very rare 78 rpm early 1930s Cymbal and drum roll Sound Effects (Cat. No. Columbia YB16)

Side One CLASHING SWORDS CROWD MURMURS Label Label colour Logo type Reference Number Catlogue Number Surface Quality Playing Quality Columbia-England Royal blue/light gold gold CWA 9289 YB3 Very light, hardly noticeable low surface scratches. Framing quality. Excellent

Next time you're playing medieval knights, or buccaneering pirates pull out this old number. Get the real feel of 1930s films with the authentic sounds from this 78 rpm record. Or, listen to the mysterious mutterings and murmurs of 1930s crowds all 70 years ago. Perhaps they change and become cheering crowds. Cheering for you. Perfect gift, ideal for hobbists or collectors and enthusiasts. Sound effects workers, film industry or those simply interested in this fine relic of past glory days. "ebay78recordsHistory"

Side Two CHEERING CROWDS Label Label colour Logo type Reference Number Catlogue Number Surface Quality Playing Quality Columbia-England Royal blue/light gold gold CWA 9274 YB3 Very light, hardly noticeable low surface scratches. Framing quality. Excellent

1346 Also posted to: Home page . At: 6:02:05 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Very rare 78 rpm early 1930s Cheering Crowds and Clashing Swords Sound Effects (Cat. No. Columbia YB3)

Side One ENGLISH TRAIN NOISES SOUND EFFECTS Train Stationary Train Starting Train in Motion Train Stopping Label Label colour Logo type Reference Number Catlogue Number Surface Quality Playing Quality His Master's Voice-England Maroon/light gold/white two tone (30-6579) E 583 Very light, hardly noticeable low surface scratches. Framing quality. Excellent

The English train sounds side, showing the heaviest damage, which you can see is pretty light. And again the underground side, showing the deepest of the scratches, hardly anything, I think you'll agree. From train spotters, to Hornby collectors; retired guardsmen to child collectors. This is the genuine sound of real trains doing real things. No studio effects here. Listen to the chuffa - chuff, of the 1930s - 70 years ago. This record conjures up all the atmosphere of steam transport, it sounds like you're standing at the platform waving your lover goodbye. Paint your own poignant pictures to go with these gorgeous, deeply atmospheric effects. Not only train sounds, but the on the reverse side a full side of the sound of the London underground. Listen in to the 1930s lifts moving up and down those shafts, the trains pulling into stations and starting off. Perfect gift, ideal for hobbists or collectors and enthusiasts. Sound effects workers, film industry or those simply interested in this fine relic of past glory days. "ebay78recordsHistory"

Side Two UNDERGROUND NOISES SOUND EFFECTS Lift Sounds Underground Train Sounds Label Label colour Logo type Reference Number Catlogue Number Surface Quality Playing Quality His Master's Voice-England Maroon/light gold/white two tone (30-6580) E 583 Very light, hardly noticeable low surface scratches. Framing quality. Excellent Underground scuffs, again this is the worst, which is actually really light.

1345 Also posted to: Home page . At: 5:36:58 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Very rare 78 rpm early 1930s Train and Underground Sound Effects (Cat. No. HMV E.583)

Side One FINALE RECORD SOUND EFFECTS OrchestraÑ God Save the King (6 bars) God Save the King (complete) Marche Militaire Label Label colour Logo type Reference Number Catlogue Number Surface Quality Playing Quality His Master's Voice-England maroon/light gold/white full colour (30-6581) E 584 Light, hardly noticeable scratches. Framing quality. Excellent

Strike up the band, sing a long to the most royal, most glorious, English National Anthem. Raise your glasses, stand to attention, just the job for the end of the night at the cinema. Or, was it for the BBC, they still played it till only a few years ago at the end of broadcasting. Not only that but here you have the choice of three versions, the full on orchestra just the first few bars, or the whole thing. And a bit lighter from the band. And a bit of traditional marching too. The old Mache Militare always brought those that wouldn't dance out onto the floor. But when you sing God Save the King, which King do you mean? The thirties was a busy time for the Kings of England. Crowned Name Born From To George V 1865 1910 1936 Edward VIII abdicated 1894 Jan 1936 Dec 1936 George VI 1895 1936 1952 "ebay78recordsHistory"

Side Two FINALE RECORD SOUND EFFECTS BandÑ God Save the King (complete) Youth and Vigour March Label Label colour Logo type Reference Number Catlogue Number Surface Quality Playing Quality His Master's Voice-England maroon/light gold/white full colour (30-6582) E 584 Light, hardly noticeable scratches. Some light scratches near spindle hole. Framing quality. Excellent

1344 Also posted to: Home page . At: 9:28:42 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Very rare 78 rpm 1930s God Save the King Sound Effects HMV (Cat. No. E.584)

Side A IN A THEATRE SOUND EFFECTS Orchestra Tuning up Noises of Audience Applause Label Label colour Logo type Reference Number Catlogue Number Surface Quality Playing Quality His Master's Voice-England Dark blue black/light gold/white full colour (30-6559) E 573 Light, hardly noticeable scratches. Framing quality. Excellent

In the theatre, the noises, the coughs, chatter, the sounds, the atmosphere. The orchestra tuning, violins, brass, mutters, it's all here. Conjure up the sounds of a 1930s theatre. Seventy years ago! "Ahhh! The ambience," (said in a French accent, even though one's quite English, dear chap). Munch, munch, chink, chatter, chatter, and then with light music in the background. Delightful. "ebay78recordsHistory"

Side B IN A RESTAURANT SOUND EFFECTS Noises in Restaurant Noises in Restaurant with Music Label Label colour Logo type Reference Number Catlogue Number Surface Quality Playing Quality His Master's Voice-England Dark blue black/light gold/white full colour (30-6560) E 573 Light, hardly noticeable scratches. Framing quality. Excellent

1343 Also posted to: Home page . At: 9:26:38 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Very rare 78 rpm 1930s Theatre & Restaurant Sound Effects (Cat. No. HMV E.573)

Side One WEATHER EFFECTS SOUND EFFECTS Wind Howling Wind and Sea Rain and Wind Label Label colour Logo type Reference Number Catlogue Number Surface Quality Playing Quality His Master's Voice-England Maroon/light gold/white two tone (30-6573) E 580 Very light, hardly noticeable low surface scratches. Framing quality. Excellent

Everybody needs authentic sounds from the past, and what could be better on a cold dark night to pull out this 70 year old, 78 speed, and give an evening an atmosphere! Start with the wind, blowing, gusting, then howling with the sea blustering in later, then the rain lashing in the wind together they make you shiver and worried. Atmospheric is just the word. Perfect gift, ideal for hobbists or collectors and enthusiasts. Sound effects workers, film industry or those simply interested in this fine relic of past glory days. "ebay78recordsHistory"

Side Two WEATHER EFFECTS SOUND EFFECTS Thunder Storm Sea Effects Running Brook Water Lapping against Boat Label Label colour Logo type Reference Number Catlogue Number Surface Quality Playing Quality His Master's Voice-England Maroon/light gold/white two tone (30-6574) E 580 Very light, hardly noticeable low surface scratches. Framing quality. Excellent

1342 Also posted to: Home page . At: 9:25:46 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Very rare 78 rpm early 1930s Weather Sound Effects (Cat. No. HMV E.580)

"Item number: 3149061114 Winning bid: US $22.00"

Well, I guess the label wasn't so nice. And are they studio or live effects? Anyway, it went after 6 bids to a Meccano collector. Probably to listen to as he watches his trains. Marvelous!

1341 Also posted to: Home page . At: 8:03:46 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: 1930s VINTAGE 78 RPM RECORD OF TRAIN SOUNDS

Columbia YB13 "The yellow label has turned to blue, which I suppose is quite in order with this apparently erratic series, and we’re back to 78 rpm as well. We have a slightly different master series, too, prefixed WAD. Western Electric, Columbia, Dub. No problem there. The recording of Big Ben is rather distant, and, though I no longer have the disc, it's by no means as atmospheric as the Big Ben record issued on HMV. However, the HMV deliberately recorded the sound of London Traffic as well, with motor horns and so on, so that disc would, when played in distant Colonial Outposts, Refresh and Invigorate the stalwart upholders of the British Empire. The Columbia was doubtless meant for less exalted purposes, such as sound effects for theatre and broadcasting use. In that role, it would, admittedly, have served adequately."

I've got this Columbia one. No background just the bells, pure and clean, although just a little crackly :-)

1340 Also posted to: Home page . At: 7:55:45 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: 78 rpm record labels scans from about 1920 to 1960

Columbia YB6 "Fond as I am of the expression 'Those were simpler times', I find it difficult to believe that even a child in 1929 would believe that this was really a recording of a steam train. It is obviously a very poor studio imitation of a train. The reverse, by the way, is entitled: American Train, and is virtually the same except that the whistle is replaced by a bell. No: the whole record is futile in the extreme, and, had I not discovered this copy at a record bazaar about a fortnight ago, I would never have believed in its existence, unless told by someone in whom I had absolute trust. As you can see, it runs at 78 rpm."

I haven't got this one. I do have English Trains and Underground the HMV version, which is supposed to be live. I've yet to hear it.

1339 Also posted to: Home page . At: 7:13:10 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: 78 rpm record labels scans from about 1920 to 1960

I wonder if I've found the real signature? Looks a little clumsy, the waves just in the corner, so I looked closer, and see layers of paint, could the artist added some initials amongst the white horses? Later, some one painted these initials out, a little clumsily, adding the top, brown signature: "Singer?
"So, I had a little play with Photoshop. Still not sure.

Before.

After.

After. Version 2

1338 Also posted to: Home page . At: 1:18:15 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Singer seascape

"If you read the excellent "Sound effects: Radio, Tv and film" by Robert L. Mott you'll learn that when they showed footage on tv of a nuclear explosion in the 50s they created the sound using a dynamite blast for the attack and layered in the sound of a waterfall recorded on a 78 rpm record played back at 45 rpm for the long bassy sustain."

1336 Also posted to: Home page . At: 6:45:49 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Google Search: 78 rpm sound effects

"Also have a 78 RPM Sound Effects Library from Major Records in good condition. Will take $500 or best offer for this collector's group. email mdfarley@icomnet.com for more information."

From 1999!

1335 Also posted to: Home page . At: 5:31:05 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Google Search: 78 rpm

"Grading will be performed in accordance with these stated standards:

Mint: A flavor of candy. Doesn't exist in the record world.
NM- A virtually unhandled/unplayed record without ANY defects whatsoever. A very rare creature seldom encountered.
E ( /-) An Excellent choice side without any MAJOR defects whatsoever. This record should be visually appealing and plays flawlessly.
VG ( /-) Usually NOT very good, but of average condition and playing sound quality. Sides may exhibit minor scratches, light scuffs and edge chips (not in the playing area!). A decent playing copy.
V--/V--- Trashed or wiped out. Playable probably only with a steel needle and then only under duress. This is a well loved (not abused) record that has been played nearly to death but is undoubtedly super scarce or desireable enough to avoid the midden heap.
P- Abused. Forget about them, you won't see any here....."

1334 Also posted to: Home page . At: 5:25:05 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Google Search: hmv Columbia 78 rpm

"1935 Lights Out

The thirties were dreary times for many Americans and sometimes radio reflected that with its popularity of horror drama. One that began on this day became one of the most popular. Lights Out was a thriller! Starting in Chicago under the auspices of Wyllis Cooper, who later would create Quiet, Please, this series sustained new heights in intensity. Coming from the imaginative mind of Cooper the show tried to use sound effects to achieve the horror we all can feel in our worst nightmares. Broadcast on NBC Red, it was truly "the witching hour" while the show was heard. Cooper soon left, but was replaced by the equally brilliant Arch Oboler, who took sound effects to new levels with the sound of crushing skulls, knife stabs, and other horrible ways to die. Oboler used effective dramatic pause to achieve the goose bumps on his listener's arms. Episodes such as "Mr. Maggs" and "Chicken Heart" are memorable. The series continued off and on until 1947. It briefly moved to television in the early fifties. "

1333 Also posted to: Home page . At: 4:10:32 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Some Famous Films of the 1940s

Pity, this is one I don't have.

1332 Also posted to: Home page . At: 4:01:30 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: 78colse.gif (GIF Image, 224x225 pixels)

"9802-English train noices. Sound effects: Train stationary-starting-in motion-stopping/Underground noices: Lifts sounds, Underground train sounds. HMV E 583.UK. (E) Ljudeffekt. P.100"

1331 Also posted to: Home page . At: 3:56:43 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Auction in Germany

"A Century of Sound Archiving. The first sound archives, known as phonogramme archives, were founded at the turn of the century, among others, in Vienna and Berlin. Their original scope was limited to the spoken word and cultural traditions. Subsequently, these archives and their followers, archives of sound and audiovisual documents, most of which have been concerned with recorded music, preserve a vast proportion of the 20th-century heritage. In fact, it is impossible to consider the life of our century without reference to recorded sound and the business of sound archives."

1330 Also posted to: Home page . At: 3:54:04 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives

Pale green linen cover. Reasonably good condition. Certainly not clean.		In greying out ink, the inscription reads:
Agra 1920	Agra 1920	On board S. S. "Kaisar-J-***'
	Orderly Room, Akbar Barracks, Agra	(top) Rock of Gibraltar, (bottom) Harbour, Gibraltar There is some damange here. Just the top sheet is ripped at the bottom of the window.
Entrance to Suez, Port Said	(top) Native well, India, (bottom) Akbar's Tomb, Sikandra	(top) **** of Enterance & approach to Taj Mahal, (bottom) Taj Mahal, India
Gravesend 1919		(top) Indian Bhisti (water carrier), (bottom) Aden
Aden	On board S. S. Kaisar-J-***	Agra 1920
Aden 1920	Malta	Malta
		This is the most damaged page. The top sheet is crumpled and broken.
Two additional photos included: one is a portrait, probably given as a memento, like a business card. It's hand tinted, giving flesh coloured face, and red lips. On its reverse is "yours sincerely S. Cash," in ink handwriting. The other is two soldiers in pith helmets, looking cool.

1329 Also posted to: Home page . At: 4:23:44 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: British Army Corporal's photo album circa 1919-1920: India, Gibraltar, Egypt, Aden, Agra, Malta, England

Hallmarks - Lion passant (sterling), Crown (Sheffield), Date letter n (1905) and Maker's mark M W (Mappin and Webb), Brand name "Trustworthy." When you say, 'Silver?' "Sterling is the American and British standard for silver, used to produce most elaborate and costly pieces. The sterling standard is 925 parts of silver to 75 parts copper in every 1000 parts sterling silver."

Scrounging around a mate's cutlery draw I found three items with a hallmark, apparently, his great Nan, used to work as a chamber maid, somewhere. After looking them up I was surprised to find out how old they are and this is the third item to be sold... This is had to wrench away, for they were still using it. I tried it on some cheese last night, and it cuts beautifully, for they sharpen it still regularly. This isn't a knife for languishing about in a collector's draw, being nearly one hundred years old, it should still be used by it's new owners to cut the Sunday roast as it was once in 1905 - ninty seven years ago! It was made is Sheffield, 84 miles from Telford. At that time you'd have gone through Stafford and Chesterfield to get there. Most likely it was sold out of a shop in Shrewsbury (14 miles) or Ironbridge (5 miles). Maybe a descendant of the Darby family who built the first span iron bridge in 1781 thereby starting the industrial revolution. Or, the owners or bankers of Jackfield Tile Factory, The Broseley Clay Pipe Works or the Coalport China Works all very busy at the time. But over the coming decades the Ironbridge area fell on bad times. The blade is steel I'd guess, it's only the little waist band on the ivory handle that is solid sterling silver, and carries the hallmark and maker's mark which are well defined and deep. The blade is pitted, but very, very sharp. Who's to know how many times this has been sharpened over its career, remember, if I hadn't pulled it from my mate's hand it would be cutting roast beef this weekend. The  bone handle is pinned to stop it twisting. The maker's brand name Trustworthy surely suits this knife. I'm sure there's another 100 years of cutting life in this blade. This is a well made instrument. Mappin and Webb still carry their Royal Warrants to HM The Queen and are now in Birmingham and London as well as Sheffieldwhere this was made. Much of the blade has been worn away by repeated sharpening over ninty seven years. The blade is pitted, but could be cleaned. The ivory handle has a small, very, very small chink on one of its corners near the blade, no bigger than a small pin head. Blade 6 1/2" or 158mm handle 4 5/16" or 109mm

1327 Also posted to: Home page . At: 10:57:20 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Very Used Antique English Solid Silver Waist and Ivory Handle Medium Carving Knife circa 1905/06

Hallmarks - Lion passant (sterling silver), Leopard's head (London), Date letter r (1912) and Maker's mark GJ/DF (George Jackson and David Fullerton). When you say, 'Silver?' "Sterling is the American and British standard for silver, used to produce most elaborate and costly pieces. The sterling standard is 925 parts of silver to 75 parts copper in every 1000 parts sterling silver."

Scrounging around a mate's cutlery draw I found three items with a hallmark, apparently, his great Nan, used to work as a chamber maid, somewhere. After looking them up I was surprised to find out how old they are and this is the second item to be sold... Lovely little solid sterling silver desert fork, nearly a hundred years old. With the very first owner's initials engraved in the handle (EMJ). I don't know who that is, but in 1912 just before the Great War (WW1), around here in Telford, Shropshire, UK, there weren't that many who could afford cutlery, let alone silver AND to have their initials engraved in each and every piece of the cutlery service! For sure they were the nobs' upper crust. I wonder where the rest of the silver service is, probably still in their original box,. Wouldn't the owner of that box of EMJ engraved silver service cutlery want this to complete the set? Unless it was split up. Who knows! Most likely it was sold out of a shop in Shrewsbury (14 miles) or Ironbridge (5 miles). Maybe a descendant of the Darby family who built the first span iron bridge in 1781 thereby starting the industrial revolution. Or, the owners or bankers of Jackfield Tile Factory, The Broseley Clay Pipe Works or the Coalport China Works all very busy at the time. But over the coming decades the Ironbridge area fell on bad times. Fully hallmarked for London 1912/13 and with the maker's mark (a shield) of George Jackson and David Fullerton becoming a little worn after the years of cleaning and polishing. I guess it wasn't stamped in as deep as the hallmarks or it was rubbed more there when cleaned by the servants. I guess experts would know about this. Apparently, George Jackson and David Fullerton "are known for making a wide range of articles but particularly good flatware." I guess that means hammering forks out of sheets of solid sterling silver? One of the prongs is ever so slightly pushed inwards. Easily pulled back straight, but don't want to ruin the history of this dear little desert fork, so I'll leave it up to it's next owner. Fork: 1.019 ounces or 29.0 grams. 6 1/4" or 158 mm

1326 Also posted to: Home page . At: 6:16:31 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Fine Antique English Solid Silver Desert Fork circa 1912/13

Hallmarks - Lion passant (sterling), Crown (Sheffield), Date letter d (1896) and Maker's mark Flag W & H (Walker and Hall). When you say, 'Silver?' "Sterling is the American and British standard for silver, used to produce most elaborate and costly pieces. The sterling standard is 925 parts of silver to 75 parts copper in every 1000 parts sterling silver."

Scrounging around a mate's cutlery draw I found three items with a hallmark, apparently, his Great, Great Gran, used to work as a chamber maid, somewhere. After looking them up I was surprised to find out how old they are and this is the first item to be sold... Lovely little solid sterling silver desert knife, for over one hundred years this little knife has been busy feeding the mouths of the local Shropshire (UK) gentry with cake. The polishing and cleaning have worn the floral design, and at some period in it's one hundred and seven year old career it's been dropped on it's end point perhaps on it's very first day in 1896. Sure a little tap with the hammer would clear it up, but that would spoil it's history IMHO. It was made is Sheffield, 84 miles from Telford. At that time you'd have gone through Stafford and Chesterfield to get there. Most likely it was sold out of a shop in Shrewsbury (14 miles) or Ironbridge (5 miles). Maybe a descendant of the Darby family who built the first span iron bridge in 1781 thereby starting the industrial revolution. Or, the owners or bankers of Jackfield Tile Factory, The Broseley Clay Pipe Works or the Coalport China Works all very busy at the time. But over the coming decades the Ironbridge area fell on bad times. Fully hallmarked for Sheffield 1896/97 and with the makers mark of the very famous firm of Silversmiths, Walker and Hall. The hallmark is deep and clear as is the maker's mark (a flag). The feminine floral pattern is quite distinctive. I don't know if it has been specialy designed or a stock patern. I guess there's books out there, and experts that'll know. Perhaps it was part of a gift set for a young lady's bottom draw? I'm sure the design would have been all the fashion at the time. Hand engraving a whole silver service set would add significantly to the gift price. Apparently Walker and Hall were "extremely prolific manufacturers." And, "the workshop of Walker and Hall was founded in 1845 by George Walker ("..a mediocre knife maker."), who had started in the trade age 7 to help his family. In 1890 Walker & Hall employed 700 people, with a production that ranges from silver plated to high quality silverware. In 1971 Walker and Hall was absorbed by Mappin & Webb." The lovely hand engraved floral design is very slightly worn around the centre of the flower where it was polished over time by the servants. There is a very small denting to the tip of the knife. Knife: 1.029 ounces or 29.3 grams. 6" or 152.5 mm

1325 Also posted to: Home page . At: 6:13:15 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Fine Antique English Solid Silver Desert knife circa 1896/97