Books

One of the most important tools available to the spoon collector is a library of related books. The knowledge imparted from such reference material will allow you to find the area of study that most appeals, with the added bonus that the extra knowledge gained will give you the opportunity of finding a bargain, when out buying. It is surprising for such a specialist field how many books are available, and to what degree of speciality they achieve.

To the novice, with no reference material currently available, I would suggest that there are three books which widely cover the subject: "Silver Flatware" by Ian Pickford (for patterns and serving pieces), "English Silver Spoons" by Michael Snodin (for a general overview of early spoons and collectable pieces) and a book for recognising hallmarks. There are several of the latter available, from very inexpensive pocket guides, (such as "English Silver Hallmarks" by Judith Banister or "Jackson's Hallmarks" by Ian Pickford), to the huge compendium compiled by Sir Charles Jackson - the most up to date version is edited by Ian Pickford . The ratings offered in the reviews are purely my own opinion, are marked out of five and are based on how interesting it is to read and how well it covers the subject.

Many of the books reviewed can be purchased directly from us. Please note that the website checkout system will charge a higher than necessary postage fee. The UK postage rates shown below are available if you contact us first by email or phone. Alternatively you may wish to try your local second-hand bookseller or library. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask.

Exeter & West Country Silver by Miles Harrison. A comprehensive new book on the fascinating subject of this important provincial region. The book is available for £68 directly from the author at this website: http://www.westcountrysilver.co.uk/

Illustrated Directory of Scottish Provincial Silversmiths & Their Marks - a must have book for anybody interested in Scottish silver or indeed any buyer of silver who needs to identify an obscure mark. A comprehensive listing of marks which are illustrated throughout.

Georgian Silver Sugar Tongs  - an excellent book for collectors & dealers alike and especially useful for beginners to the world of sugar tongs. The comprehensive guide to maker's marks will be of general interest to everyone keen on silver  

Eighteenth Century Silver Tea Tongs - a beautiful limited edition (1000 copies) book by Dr David Shlosberg. We have several copies available at £59.50 + £5 P&P (UK). Buy now as this book on sugar nips (a.k.a tea tongs) will become a collectors item in it's own right and surely increase in value!

We are pleased to offer the following indispensable titles by Tim Kent, one of the foremost experts in early English spoons. These books are generally difficult to find and can be very expensive if bought second-hand (e.g copies of London Silver Spoon Makers can sell for £50+). All available are new copies. 

• Barnstaple Silver and Its Makers -Only £15 + £2 P&P (UK) * 
• London Silver Spoon Makers 1500-1697 - Only £19 + £2 P&P (UK) * 
• Salisbury Silver & Its Makers 1550-1700 - Only £26 + £2P&P (UK) * 
• Sussex Silver & Its Makers - Only £23 + £2 P&P (UK) *
• West Country Silver Spoons and Their Makers, 1550-1750 (Hard-back) - Only £35 + £5 P&P (UK) * 

The following tables shows the books available to the collector. To make it easier to find a suitable book we have separated them in to the following sections:

• Hallmark Guides:- Books required to identify silver marks
• Spoon Books:- Specialist books that are wholly or partly concerned with an aspect of spoon collecting
• England:- Books about specific silver making centres or assay offices in England
• Scotland:- Covering the subject of silver manufacture in Scotland
• Ireland:- Covering the subject of silver manufacture in Ireland
• Makers:- Biographies recounting the lives and works of particular silversmiths
• Others:- Not fitting any of the above categories, but still of use to the spoon collector

Those books with links have been reviewed, many of which can be bought from us:-

Hallmark Guides

Spoon Books

England

Scotland

Ireland

Silversmith Biographies

N.B. Biographies of silversmiths can also be found within books on specific silver making centres/assay offices - e.g. the books by Grimwade, Fallon & Culme under the "England" section.

Other Useful Books

To view our full list of books, please click here.