That's a Good Question: 

 Personal Effect Goblets December 2014 AM

Sterling silver goblets

Question: Dear J, I wanted to ask you about my sterling goblets. My father who worked at a manufacturing company in Georgia received these from his co-workers upon his retirement. He had worked at the same plant since he was a teenager. He retired in1958. He's been gone for many years and I think of him often. I know that I'm crazy but I enjoy setting a pretty table for several holidays. I always use these goblets. They have no damage or initials written on them. Should I have them added on my insurance? I don't know the mark on the bottom, its a cross with a crown. Were they made for a church? Thanks for taking the time to look at these.

Answer: You have a great set of eight sterling goblets. I remember working at Graves Jewelers, here on Main Street, and polishing the few goblets that we had in stock in the late 1980's. I loved the way that they felt and reflected the light. I don't think that you're crazy at all for setting a fine table. If you have nice things you should use them. People should take more care in a the environment that they eat. Ahhh... the 1950's, what a hey-day for sterling silver. Seems that every bride had a set of sterling flatware,sterling goblets were on tables and the julep cups and bread trays used as trophy prizes at county fairs were all made of sterling. The Hunt Brothers, and their quest for domination in the world of silver, changed all of that forever. No longer were table and gift wares made in sterling. It was far too expensive and other materials were used. Today, its even worse, with silver plate and pewter taking second stage to aluminum and other metals that don't require polishing. Those days are gone forever and we should just let them go. But nothing is like the cool, classic beauty of sterling silver.

When your father received these nice gifts, they likely retailed for about $10.00 - $15.00 each. Today, at a nice antiques show, these should be priced at $175.00 each. If they had been monogrammed that would have been less. I'm surprised that they didn't have the date or some other message on them. For your set of eight goblets that would be about $1,400.00 for the set. Yes, you should have them listed on your homeowners insurance policy. You'll need to have a written appraisal for this to be added to your policy. Check with your insurance agent. The mark you see on the bottom is not for a church, its for a company called Manchester Silver Company. Manchester Silver Co. was founded in 1887 by William H. Manchester. William was a descended from a family of silversmiths. Manchester was famous for the slogan, “If its Manchester, its sterling.” In time the company became Baker-Manchester, and as is often the case, the company was merged, absorbed and liquidated into several other silver and metal manufacturers several times, until it just ceased to exist in the 1960's. Based on this mark, it could be possible that these were purchased at an antiques store or were “old” stock when they were gifted to your father. Either way, they are beautiful goblets and a very nice gift. Keep them polished and use them often and think of your Dad when you lay out your table for Christmas. Thanks for sharing them.