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The touch marks are the first category of pewter marks and are being considered as the “trademark” of each pewterer, and in most cases it includes his/her initials or name. While in Edinburgh and London the guilds regulated the trade and the pewterers had to record the touch mark on special plates, in America these rules were not applied.

The practice from London and Edinburgh was applied only there and it was not as helpful as it should have been because there are still anonymous pewter pieces.

Furthermore, this type of pewter marks fluctuate in size and style but depending on the region were created there are characteristics through which they can be identified. For instance, if a touch marks contains a date, then this is the moment in which the pewterer came into business and not the date on which the pewter piece was made.

Furthermore, whenever you purchase antique pewter mugs you should check for the pot touch marks. According to its definition, the pot touch is a mark made on the inside base of the pewter mug placed centrally. Based on the pot touch marks you will be able to identify the pewterer maker and even its address and name.

When it comes to the evolution of pewter marks, if we take for instance Nathaniel Austin who worked among 1763 and 1800, we can conclude that before the American Revolution the touch marks have English influence (pre-revolutionary touch mark) , while the touch marks after this event contain the American Eagle (post-revolutionary touch mark).

In addition, around the year 1825 a decrease in the originality of decorative touch marks occurred and consequently, the pewterer’s name was introduced in a line form and sometimes in a rectangular frame. Thus, in a short period after 1825 the change has been adopted by all pewterers, even if from an aesthetic point of view the new touch mark looked to simple.

The great thing about the antique pewter collectables is that you have the opportunity for home decorating, since you can find your match for your home furniture and home design.

In order to improve you skills and gain the necessary experience, we recommend you to analyze as much pewter items you can. Almost all pewter items have touch marks, and if not the other pewter marks should definitely exist.

Having this in mind, let us take a look at the following pewter marks type touch marks before 1825 and after the radical change in 1825.