Hall marks on gold & silver plate

PREFACE TO TENTH EDITION. vii
Many of the letters included in the tables of London Assay
Office letters were the copyright of the late Mr. W. J. Cripps, C.B.^
F S.A., author of " Old English Plate," and by the courtesy and ex-
press permission of his representatives they
are used in this book.
Our thanks are due to the Assay Masters, who have so kindly
furnished information, to enable us to complete the various
alphabets.
We are indebted to the courtesy of Earl Spencer, K.G., for per-
mission to reproduce as our frontispiece one of a pair of silver Pil-
grim Bottles, which is very massive and of beautiful workmanship.
It bears the London hall <strong>marks</strong> for 170 1-2, and is twenty-four
inches in height.*
C. A. MARKHAM, F.S.A.
* Lord Spencer in}ierited this charming specimen of the silversmith's
art from his ancestor, Jolm Chixrchill, Duke of Marlborough, K.G., who was
born June 24, 1650, and died June IC, 1722.
On the front of this bottle is engraved the achievement of the duke, above
crossed swords, pikes and cannon. His Grace, as a Prince of the Holy Roman
Empire, so created November 14, 1705, bore his arms enclosed by the Garter,
upon the Breast of the Roman Eagle, with two heads sable, armed or, and
ensigned with an imperial crown labelled proper.
The arms are. Quarterly, First, Sable, a lion rampant argent, on a canton
of the second a cross f/ules, for Ohurchill. Second, Bendy of ten,
argent and azure, within a bordiire or, for Willyard. Third, Argent,
a fess indented or and gules, for Tyle. Fourth, Per pale. Dexter.
Gules a tree eradicated proper. Sinister, Azure, a lion- rampant
argent, for Winston. An escutcheon of pretence. Argent on a fess
gules three bezants, for Jennings.
The supporters are. Tivo ivyvems, icings elevated gules.
In a scroll the motto, " Fiel pero desdicado."