COMMUNITY POLL

How this site pewter content
is efficient for you?

Wow. Excellent pewter sources
I can find my pewter content
Good pewter sources
There is nothing here for me
The pewter content is irrelevant

Catalogue Numbers and Labels

The fourth type of pewter marks is represented by the catalogue numbers. During the 19th and 20th century the pewterers started to produce catalogues that contain their wares and put catalogue numbers on each of their articles. Normally, the catalogue numbers consist of simple stamped numbers of four or five digits, and sometimes with a letter.

Catalogue numbers appear most commonly on Britannia metal.

Labels

During the 18th and 19th century pewterers started to put different labels on their wares.
Labels are the fifth and last type of pewter marks, and during that period some famous labels contained a slogan like “Superfine Hard Metal” in order to denote high-quality.

Likewise, the label “Made in London” informed the prospect buyers regarding the location where the pewter piece was supposedly made. However, soon, this label was not used only by London pewterers but also by those living in the province and in mainland Europe. It was known that traditional London pewter was superior in quality and design and for this reason some pewterers used the London label to inform their customers about the high-quality pewter used to produce the pewter pieces.

Furthermore, being part of the pewter marks, the labels sometimes contained the pewterer’s name or initial and known as “cartouches”. These labels were used by American pewterers and found on their pewter pieces.

In conclusion, these are the five types of pewter marks through which the pewterer can be indentified. Depending on the region, city, country or continent where the pewter piece was produced, a specific pewter mark was used, and sometimes even unique pewter marks.

Based on these pewter marks, the experienced collectors have the possibility to determine the origin, the pewterer and thus the period in which it was produced.
However, among the pewter marks there are some more categories: the verification marks, the ownership marks and the merchant’s marks that will be further analyzed.

In order to be able to properly and accurately determine the origin, the pewterer, the period and possible owner, it is very helpful to be informed regarding all pewter marks and their characteristics.

Likewise, all antique pewter articles are great collectables and today we have the opportunity to start the home decorating process and find the right collectables that would fit our home design and home furniture.