Value aside, collectible items bring elegance to the table

In today’s What’s It Worth? we answer reader’s questions about things to help set an elegant table. Specifically, a pair of silverplated candlesticks and a set of porcelain dinnerware with an interesting background.

Q. Your column prompted us to send these pictures of a set (service for eight, plus serving pieces) of china that was inherited from a favorite aunt. The logo on the bottom reads “SONE CHINA, Made in Occupied Japan.” What can you tell us about it, and what might it be worth? All but one piece is nearly perfect — Gloria in Kennewick

A. SONE was in business in Japan for decades. When World War II ended, they were one of the successful firms that survived the conflict and came back strongly in the international marketplace.

But it wasn’t easy. After the war, under Allied occupation, widespread economic, political and social reforms were imposed. Japanese businesses were greatly affected.

As the economy started to rebuild, in order to ship their goods abroad, companies were required to mark 50 percent of all exports with either “Occupied Japan” or “Made in Occupied Japan.”

The rule went on until about 1955. Goods produced for the Japanese market didn’t require these markings and thousands of items that should have been marked, but weren’t, slipped through customs procedures.

So, this set of china dinnerware was made sometime during a period of about 10 years — between, say, 1945 and 1955.

SONE produced very nice fine china in at least 300 patterns. Some are named, but most — like this set — are not.

With that level of production, these pieces are quite common and do not command much of a price — either in shops, at shows or auctions.

An expected retail price for a set like this would be in the $150 to $300 range.

Q. I’m sending you a photo of a pair of silver-plated candlesticks.

The maker’s stamp on the bottom is “Silver City Plate Company Quadruple Plate Meridian, CT.” There are also number marks. They are 8 inches tall. Anything you could add would be greatly appreciated.— Robert in Kennewick

A. Meriden, in central Connecticut, became a beehive of manufacturing in the 19th century. Among the famous companies located there were Parker Brothers (who made America’s best-known shotguns), C. F. Monroe Glass, the Handel Lamp Company and Bradley and Hubbard — makers of fine lamps, gilt metal furniture and other high-quality goods. All those firms are well known to 21st century collectors.

There were so many makers of silver and silver plate that Meriden earned the nickname “Silver City.” Famous names included Meriden Britannia, Wilcox Silver Plate, Meriden Cutlery, Napier and many, many more.

The Silver City Plate Company was among the city’s firms. Dorothy Rainwater and Judy Redfield, in their comprehensive Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers, wrote that the company, “had begun the manufacture of Britannia ware as early as 1895.”

The encyclopedia goes on to note, “International Silver Company bought from the receivers the business and tools they could use.” That indicates Silver City Plate had gone bankrupt by 1908, so they were only in business less than 15 years.

Maybe Silver City’s short life is attributable to changing tastes.

By the late 1800s, companies started moving away from producing items in Britannia Plate (a pewter-type alloy that polishes like silver) to silver plate, where a thin layer of real silver is electroplated onto a base metal, such as copper.

It could be that Silver City made the switch too late to save the company. At any rate, International Silver absorbed many smaller firms at about the time Silver City went under. International turned out to be the largest manufacturer of silverplate in the world.

Quadruple plate items (called “quad plate” or just “quad” by collectors) are not highly sought. A fair market value would be in the $25 to $50 range.

This story was originally published January 23, 2016 at 9:51 PM with the headline "Value aside, collectible items bring elegance to the table."