Accurate Description of Item
One English Silverplate Flatware Service for Eight by Elkington
Appraiser Remarks
Silver plate or electroplate is formed when a thin layer of pure or sterling silver is deposited electrolytically on the surface of a base metal. By 1839, scientists in Britain and Russia had independently devised metal deposition processes for copper electroplating of printing press plates. Soon after, John Wright of Birmingham, England, discovered that potassium cyanide was a suitable electrolyte for gold and silver electroplating.
Wright's associates, George Elkington and Henry Elkington were awarded the first patents for electroplating in 1840. These two then founded the electroplating industry in Birmingham England from where it spread around the world.
Values for silverplate sets like this that date from the early years of the 20th Century tend to be rather modest with comparable sets in their original case retailing in the $250.00- $350.00 range, but often going at auction for less than $150.00.
Wright's associates, George Elkington and Henry Elkington were awarded the first patents for electroplating in 1840. These two then founded the electroplating industry in Birmingham England from where it spread around the world.
Values for silverplate sets like this that date from the early years of the 20th Century tend to be rather modest with comparable sets in their original case retailing in the $250.00- $350.00 range, but often going at auction for less than $150.00.
Estimated Value
$250.00- $350.00
Re: Ellington Plate
One English Silverplate Flatware Service for Eight by Elkington
Silver plate or electroplate is formed when a thin layer of pure or sterling silver is deposited electrolytically on the surface of a base metal. By 1839, scientists in Britain and Russia had independently devised metal deposition processes for copper electroplating of printing press plates. Soon after, John Wright of Birmingham, England, discovered that potassium cyanide was a suitable electrolyte for gold and silver electroplating.
Wright's associates, George Elkington and Henry Elkington were awarded the first patents for electroplating in 1840. These two then founded the electroplating industry in Birmingham England from where it spread around the world.
Values for silverplate sets like this that date from the early years of the 20th Century tend to be rather modest with comparable sets in their original case retailing in the $250.00- $350.00 range, but often going at auction for less than $150.00.