Hallmarking interest – A highly unusual and possibly unique George V Scottish sterling silver hallmark identification aide, Edinburgh 1910 by WH & S

Composed of four sheets engraved with the date letters for London from 1558 to 1911, the assay office marks, and a ‘Landmarks for English Plate’. Housed in an leather holder. Each fully marked.

Length – 7.9 cm / 3.1 inches

Weight – 90 grams / 2.89 ozt

Hallmarking first became a published study in 1852 by Octavious Morgan (1803-1888), followed by further texts published by William Chaffers (1811-92) in 1863, then Wilfred Cripps (1841-1903) in 1878, and then Sir Charles Jackson (1849-1923) in 1905. Great collectors of the era included John Dunn Gardiner (1811-1903) (sold 1902), Samuel Montagu, 1st Baron Swaythling (1832-1911), (sold 1924), Sir Ernest George Cassel (1852 – 1921), and Gavin Campbell 1st Marquess and 7th Earl of Breadalbane (1851-1922) (sold 1935).

This quite possibly unique commission no doubt inspired by the above texts could possibly have belonged to one of the great collectors of the day.