Complete canteens, partial sets, individual silver spoons and serving pieces. Sterling silver or quality EPNS. Georgian flatware or Victorian dinner service. Every set assessed individually — pattern identified, maker's mark read, date confirmed, condition recorded.
Inherited silver cutlery is frequently dismissed as worthless or undervalued because sellers don't know how to read the hallmarks. We read them, explain what they mean, and offer accordingly. Free insured postage. Written valuation per set. Paid in 72 hours.
The value of a canteen of silver cutlery depends on several factors — and the most important is one many sellers overlook: whether it is sterling silver or silver plate.
Sterling silver cutlery has intrinsic melt value: the weight of silver recoverable from a full canteen service can amount to £400–£1,000 in metal content at current spot prices, before any collector premium. A quality pattern by a named silversmith, in excellent condition, will exceed melt value significantly.
Silver-plated cutlery (EPNS) has no intrinsic melt value but may have collector or decorative value — particularly pieces by named makers such as Walker & Hall, Mappin & Webb, Elkington, or James Dixon in quality patterns and good condition.
The pattern is the decorative design stamped or engraved on the handle of each piece. In sterling silver, some patterns are more sought than others:
We identify the pattern as part of every assessment and note whether the pieces are matching or mixed across patterns.
Tell us roughly what you have. We send a free prepaid, tracked and insured label the same working day.
Wrap in tissue paper or cloth. Avoid newspaper — it can mark silver. Pack in a sturdy box with padding. Your parcel is insured to £5,000 from the moment the courier scans it.
Your parcel is opened publicly on YouTube before any specialist touches the contents. Broadcast time confirmed in advance. Every item visible on camera.
Pattern identified. Hallmarks read. Maker confirmed. Written valuation per set. Accept or decline. Return anything free. Payment within 72 hours — or we add 3%.
Call us on 01234 815116 or email support@fairvintage.co.uk. We respond within one working day.
Get your free pack →Yes. Partial canteens are common and we assess the pieces you have. We identify the pattern, the maker, and the date — and offer on the basis of what is present. Runs of matching pieces in good condition retain value even without a complete service.
Sterling silver carries a hallmark: look for the lion passant (walking lion facing left), the assay office mark, and a date letter. Silver plate carries EPNS, EP, A1, or a maker's mark without hallmarks. Email us photographs and we'll identify the metal standard.
No. Do not polish before sending. Polishing removes patina from antique pieces and on silver plate can wear through the plating. Send it as-is — tarnish does not affect our offer.
We buy quality EPNS by named makers — Walker & Hall, Mappin & Webb, Elkington, James Dixon & Sons. Anonymous low-quality EPNS in poor condition has limited value. Quality EPNS in good condition is assessed individually.
Thread and Shell (Georgian, rarer), Fiddle, Kings, and Queens patterns in sterling by named makers. Unusual decorative patterns with high relief chasing are valued aesthetically. We identify the pattern as part of every assessment.
Within 72 hours of your parcel going live on YouTube — guaranteed. If we miss that window, we add 3% to your total.
Request your free pack today. Pattern identified, hallmarks read, maker confirmed. Written valuation per set. Open live on YouTube. Paid within 72 hours.