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How to Identify A Real Antique

A List of Silversmiths' Hallmarks & Silver Makers' Marks

Henry Wilkinson and Company Limited

The makers mark 'H.W. & Co. Ld.' (for Henry Wilkinson and Company Limited) was entered on 3rd October 1890. The background to the company is that their factory was located at Norfolk Street, Sheffield on 26th June 1857 with showrooms at 4 Bolt Court, Fleet Street, EC in 1891. The London premises were moved to Ely House, 13 Charterhouse Street, Holborn Circus EC on 7th November 1887. The first marks were entered at the London Assay Office on 23rd June 1857 by Henry Wilkinson and in 1872 the company was converted into a limited liability company, (therefore the Ld.) but in 1892 it went into liquidation and was acquired by Walker & Hall.

Wilkinson Hallmark on Silver Standish		Wilkinson Hallmark on Silver Salt

John Lambe (IL)

John Lambe was the son of Edward John Lambe, Goldsmith. He was apprenticed to Ebinezer Coker on 5th February 1755. His first recorded mark was entered on 8th February 1774 as a spoonmaker and his address was given as 97 Fetter Lane London. His second mark was entered on 25th August 1780 with his address given as 29 Fetter Lane London. Lambe entered a further ten marks between 15th February 1782 and 17th October 1791 and there are records that he was also a watchmaker whilst at 29 Fetter Street, but apparently this lasted only between 1783 and 1796. He had a brother George who was apprenticed to James Tookey but he does not appear to have entered any marks.

	J Lambe Hallmark on Silver Marrow Spoon

Sampson Mordan & Co Ltd

Sampson Mordan, Snr was born in 1790 and was apprenticed to the famous John Bramah who invented patent locks. Although his business was supposed to have been established in 1815 he did not patent his ever-pointed propelling pencil until 20th December 1822. He entered his first silver mark on 20th June 1823 and another with his partner Gabriel Riddle on 30th April 1824. Mordan and Riddle had their premises at 22 Castle Street, City Rd.,where S. Mordan & Co were first listed as "patent ever-pointed pencil and portable pen manufacturers." The partnership between Mordan and Riddle was dissolved on 20th December 1836 and the company continued to be run by Sampson Mordan himself. Mordan Snr died in 1843 and the business was taken over by his sons Sampson and Augustus. They were later joined by Edmund George Johnson and Zachariah Watkins who retired on 17th April 1879. Sampson Mordan Jnr retired to Paris died there on 9th May 1881 and his share of the business passed to Augustus. By 1890 Harry Lambert Symonds had joined the business as a partner and the company operated from 41 & 43 City Road London EC. In 1898 the company converted to a limited liability company and operated under the name S. Mordan & Co Ltd absorbing a smaller business of Johnson, Sons & Edmonds of 32 John Street Bedford Row, London, WC. The City Road Factory was rebuilt in 1900 and showrooms were opened at 9 & 11 Warwick Street, Regent Street, London W and after 1909 they moved to Belfast Chambers, 7 Beak Street, Regent Street, London W. In 1933 the company gave the distribution rights on their propelling pencil business (for which they were and are famous) to L. G. Sloan Ltd., The Pen Corner, 41 Kingsway London WC2. The company ceased trading in 1941 following destruction of their factory by enemy bombing and the patents were sold to Edward Baker. The company was put into voluntary liquidation in 1952. In addition to silver and gold pencils the company also produced a large range of wares, especially novelty items in both gold and silver They supplied silver articles to many retailers including Asprey & Sons & the Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. Ltd. The most recent and most detailed history of the company can be found in Edward Eldred's 'Sampson Mordan & Company' which is an illustrated leaflet produced in 1986.

Sampson Mordan Makers Mark on Silver Menu Holder	Page 1	Sampson Mordan Makers Mark on Silver Vesta Case
If you cannot visit our period showrooms in the beautiful Derbyshire countryside, why not visit our antique silver or antique silver plate sections of our web site. Each piece of silver should have a close-up of the hallmark. Should you require further images of any of our stock then email us regarding the item. An email link can be found on each stock item page.