Mervyn Mitton

At this point with a new Forum, we are really showing some of the different things that we can help you with for information. If you are just showing the article then members can reply in the usual way. Should you have posted for information - then the members of the Panel will reply - and then, members can add comment. This is a nice three piece silver plate tea service - teapot, sugar bowl and milk jug. The sugar bowls used to be very big - both for the lump sugar and the fact that people used far too much. This still has the original box and was presented to a retiring clergyman in 1906. Feel free to submit any items of silver or, silver plate

Will - a beautifully displayed collection - I lost count of the MC's at about no.17 ! I put a note under British Medals to draw the attention of members. Where are you now ? Best wishes Mervyn

As we said earlier, the French markings are sometimes difficult to establish. However, I was wondering about the 1814 date. You will know that later practise on bayonets and swords was to stamp on the spine the manufacturer and the date the pattern was approved. The question I am wondering is - does 1814 represent the approved pattern or, the date it was made ?

Michael - welcome to GMIC. I regret that I tend to agree with you - the appearance is wrong for something that is 200 years old. Unfortunately, a lot of people are buying old pieces and then re-mounting them. I suppose one could live with a replaced shaft - but, at the very least it should have been pointed out to you. The other thing of concern is the threaded tang. These - at that time, were often bolted through both side pieces of the metal to hold firmly. 200 years ago the screw would have had a handcut thread - however, yours look like a machine cut. I would certainly have words with the vendor. Out of interest, roughly, what did you pay ?

THIS WAS THE ORIGINAL CORD - DOES ANYONE KNOW WHEN THIS WENT OUT OF USE ? PLEASE ADD OR, COMMENT.

THIS VIEW SHOWS UP WELL

THE LIGHTS ARE MORE EFFECTIVE IN A DARKENED ROOM

3RD. DESIGN

2ND OF THE BODY DESIGNS

THERE ARE SEPARATE DESIGNS AROUND THE BODY - THIS IS THE 1ST.

ONE OF THE TWO SIGNATURES

Anything from the Art Nouveau period (about 1895 to 1910) is seriously collectable and usually matched with high prices. Certain names spring to mind - Lalique , Daum , WMF and, most certainly Galle. He was born in 1846, took over the family business and set-up techniques in glass making that still make him a legend. He was French and was considered to be the most outstanding glass artist of his time. In 1894 he set-up a factory in Nancy and went onto win many awards. He died in 1904 however, the business continued until 1914 when it stopped manufacture. Restarted in 1918 it continued until the 1930's. After Galle died in 1904 his signature was still used - but with an engraved star alongside. A quick way to date pieces. With all of these famous names you have to be careful - many fakes are being produced. However, keep your eyes open - you could just be lucky and find an original in a clearance sale or, a flea market. The lamp shown here, is in perfect condition and I am hopeful that we can prove it to be genuine. Signed Galle on both pieces it is illuminated from the inside with a special double bulb holder. The technique was to take a glass shape and have it covered with other layers of different colours. These were then either pared away with acid etching - or, a special grinding wheel was used to make the design and let the colours show through. This was very time consuming and one mistake would ruin the whole item. Overall height of this design is about 18" - 45cm.

TALTIUM MEDAL - REVERSE

TALTIUM MEDAL - FRONT

PRESENTATION BOX LABEL - I WONDER, DO THEY STILL EXIST ?

THE TALTIUM GAMES - SILVER GILT MEDAL FOR SWIMMING. DUBLIN 1928

CONTESTANT'S MEDAL - FRONT

CONTESTANT'S MEDAL - GIVEN TO ALL WHO COMPETED

BRONZE MEDAL - REVERSE

BRONZE MEDAL - FRONT

BRONZE IN BOX

BRONZE MEDAL BOX

ENLARGED

ENLARGED

This is the type of collectable that we think will interest members - however, the choice is totally yours, and remember, it is sometimes low value items that can generate most enthusiasm. This is a very rare Bronze medal from the Amsterdam Olympics of 1928 - they were the 1X (9th) Games to be held. The winner was Mrs. Mary Bedford-Marran - a local Durban girl. She was 21 years of age when she was selected to be part of the four member Womens' swim team. They won the Bronze between them and her comments in the newspaper article, about how different the Olympics were in those early days, makes fascinating reading. She was also presented with the Bronze contestant's medal - and both are still together. Following after the Olympics, Ireland had it's first Games since they had Independence in 1922. These were called the Taltium Games and were in Dublin. She won a First in Swimming and was presented with a lovely Medal in silver gilt - all wording being in Gaelic. I wonder if anyone knows what happened to these Games - were they repeated ? Mrs Bedford-Marran died a few years' ago - in her 90's. I think it is wonderful that her awards have remained together - a simple young girl - who represented her Country with pride.