Featured Sterling Silver Birmingham Card Case. 1885.

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by Shangas, Sep 5, 2015.

  1. Shangas

    Shangas Underage Antiques Collector and Historian

    I shan't say what I paid, but suffice to say, this is without a doubt, the cheapest sterling silver card case in the world.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    XMAS 1888 (despite the date, it's actually from 1885). Initials are L.M.L, I believe.

    You may notice what appears to be a small crack near the hinge. As the case is reinforced by the lip that runs around the interior of the edge, I don't think it's in any danger of further damage.

    [​IMG]
    The detail is just stunningly beautiful.

    [​IMG]
    D&LS = David & Lionel Spiers.
    (I) = 1885
    Anchor = Birmingham
    Lion = Sterling Silver.
    Monarch's Head = Duty Mark (pre-1890).
     
  2. Figtree3

    Figtree3 What would you do if you weren't afraid?

    Lovely -- thanks for sharing this!
     
    KingofThings likes this.
  3. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

    Very nice!
     
    KingofThings likes this.
  4. Shangas

    Shangas Underage Antiques Collector and Historian

    I didn't take any before-and-after images (because I never expected to get this involved in it), but I was rather successful in hammering out the large number of dents in the underside of this silver case.

    I'm still not sure why this case was this cheap. It was either because of the teeny teeny crack, or the dents. The crack is reinforced by the rim of the case, so that's no problem. And the dents I managed to hammer out, so that's no problem either.
     
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  5. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    You meant to say ' least expensive ' .....right?
    Or did you really mean that this lovely antique silver case is in fact just CHEAP ?
    :bigtears:
     
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  6. Shangas

    Shangas Underage Antiques Collector and Historian

    Cheap, least expensive, cost the lowest amount of money...whatever. Considering what these things usually go for, I almost got this for free.
     
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  7. KingofThings

    KingofThings 'Illiteracy is a terrible thing to waist' - MHH

    *
     
  8. Figtree3

    Figtree3 What would you do if you weren't afraid?

    I love the design on it, and the fact that it was given as a Christmas present... although it was made three years earlier. :)
     
  9. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    Well that's great that you paid a small amount for this item........
    but ....ummm......' whatever ' ??

    Maybe it's just my love of the english language....but for me cheap items are of poor quality.
     
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  10. Messilane

    Messilane Well-Known Member

    I see we have all had our cup of *picky-snark* this fine Sunday Morning. :)
     
  11. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    nice of you to weigh in!;)
     
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  12. Messilane

    Messilane Well-Known Member

  13. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    For me, the dents and dings old things pick up just make them better. I've been known to pick up plated baby cups because they were all dented. The dents show someone cared enough about the family/original owner to keep it around despite the wear and tear.
     
  14. KingofThings

    KingofThings 'Illiteracy is a terrible thing to waist' - MHH

    Yeppers!!!! :)
     
  15. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    You should see the car I'm driving.....:blackeye:
     
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  16. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    Or the pile of dents with the rust holding it together that used to be a car? :cool:
     
  17. Shangas

    Shangas Underage Antiques Collector and Historian

    You don't have to worry. I couldn't remove all of them, but I like my antiques to be in the best condition possible. I didn't want it to look as if someone had sat on it - which they probably did.

    And I still maintain it was cheap. If it was poor quality I wouldn't have bought it, and it obviously isn't. If it was I would've said it was shoddy or whatever. But yes, it was very cheap. Or inexpensive. Or far below the retail price. Or without the undue expense of a large sum of legal tender, on the part of the purchasing party.

    I still can't believe it. The guy I bought it from (who by the looks of things, dealt in antique silver), must've known what this is and how much it was worth. And yet he was virtually giving it away.
     
    Last edited: Sep 6, 2015
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  18. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

    Hm. I think I need to start selling silver smalls to Oz.
     
  19. Ladybranch

    Ladybranch Well-Known Member

    >I think I need to start selling silver smalls to Oz.<

    :hilarious:
     
  20. Shangas

    Shangas Underage Antiques Collector and Historian

    I don't really see what's so funny about it, but...okay. Maybe someone can explain it to me. The only 'smalls' I'm aware of are what's in my wardrobe.

    I filled up my two cases with cards.
     
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