Recently I inherited a set of sterling flatware from my grandparents. They were married in the 1920s. It is marked “Tiffany & Co.,” “Sterling,” with the letter “M” on the back of each piece. It is a place setting for eight, but two forks are missing, and I would like to possibly add four more place settings. How can I find this pattern, and what will I have to pay for the pieces?
D. Nolfe

Charles L. Tiffany and John B. Young founded Tiffany & Young, a stationery and gift store in 1837. The company changed names and inventory several times in the following years before finally settling on Tiffany & Co. in 1853. Tiffany incorporated as Tiffany & Co., Inc. in 1868. That year, it also acquired the Moore silverware factory, making Edward C. Moore a director. He became head of Tiffany’s silver studio, which was America’s first school of design.

Beginning in 1868, Tiffany silverware was marked with “Tiffany & Co.” and the letter “M.” When Edward C. Moore died in 1891, the company continued marking its silverware with the initial of its incumbent president until the practice was discontinued in 1965.

Your sterling flatware pattern is Queen Anne. The following is a partial listing of companies that sell discontinued or hard-to-find flatware: Bull in the China Cabinet, Abita Springs, (985) 966-4418; As You Like It Silver Shop, New Orleans, (800) 828-2311; and Replacements, Ltd., Greensboro, North Carolina, (800) 737-5223. You can expect to pay anywhere from $50 for a teaspoon, $75 for a dinner fork and about $150 for a ladle.

I received a linen press from my father as a wedding gift in 1984. It was purchased in an antique store on Magazine Street in New Orleans for around $1,500. I am looking for a similar piece for my living room. What can I expect to pay?
C. Brown

Linen presses were generally introduced around 1750. Most are simple in design. They were originally intended for use in bedrooms for storage of linens and clothing, and therefore were not formal pieces. They were made for all types of households. Linen presses on the market today have often had their interiors altered for use as entertainment centers. This type of conversion has little effect on the value, since it makes the pieces very useful in solving one of the problems of modern life–hiding the TV, VCR, and music equipment.

Your linen press is an English piece made of mahogany. The rectangular top is above a pair of tall paneled cupboard doors. The base has a pair of small drawers over two long drawers with shaped bracket feet. Shelves throughout the upper section for storage establish this as a late George III piece, circa 1810. Hangers were not used until the Victorian period (1837-1901), but in some pieces of furniture the shelves were removed and replaced with rods for use with hangers. Because of its versatility, the price has risen dramatically in the past few years. In today’s market you would expect to pay between $4,000-$6,000.

Suggested reading

“Miller’s Late Georgian to Edwardian Furniture Buyer’s Guide” is an excellent reference book. Photographs are very helpful in identifying styles of furniture. An illustrated key for recognizing different woods is included, as well as a section on caring for furniture. Values are given in pounds, with a currency converter provided.

If you’ve always wanted an appraisal on a special antique or an unusual vintage piece, e-mail a photograph of the item to pennie@insidenorthside.com or mail to Inside Northside, P.O. Box 9148, Mandeville, LA 70470. Include any known information, such as age of item and place of origin, and any other historical facts. Photographs cannot be returned and only those items selected for use in Inside Northside will be appraised.

Pennie Carr is a northshore antiques appraiser, auctioneer, and owner of Auction Louisianne, Inc. in Covington.

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