I bought this very pretty and ornate set at a tag sale here in Chicopee, MA. It was made by the Ames Mfg. Company, which was located here in town, and is most notable for their civil war swords, which are very collectible today. (The buildings are still here, by the way, and are being converted to retail/condo space.) I have been unable to find out much about their silver/silverplate, however, and would like to know what this set could be worth. I think it is a presentation set - the medallions are engraved "G....(something, can't make it out)...Morrison". It is in beautiful condition, with the exception of a missing lid on the...sugar bowl? Anything you can tell me about this would be greatly appreciated! Also, should I polish it? Thanks so much for any information you can provide.
Happy New Year!
Re: Ames Mfg. 3 piece Silver Tea Set
Re: Ames Mfg. 3 piece Silver Tea Set
AMES MFG COMPANY - Chicopec, MA
Founded in 1829. Ames was the firm that introduced electroplating process in the United States. Out of business in the 1920s. Based on your images this set is silverplate, and made at the turn of the 19th Century. Values for silverplate is very modest right now as there is a huge amount of it in a market with not many buyers. Feel free to polish it, value for silver plate depends on how well the plating has held up. So give it a polish and and find out if the plate is intact, then post back the results.
Lovejoy