Hall marks on gold & silver plate

CHESTER ASSAY OFFICE. 285
examined were all presented and made between the years 1668 and
1685, being all previous to the Charter of James II granted in
1685-6, which took effect in the year following. These were all
assayed and stamped in London. The city mace, "
given by the
Earl of Derby, Lord of Man and the Isles, Maior 1668," bears two
stamps nearly effaced, of a maker's mark and the city arms. At the
same time the Earl presented a very handsome state sword.
A writer, describing the ruinous state cf Chester immediately
" Thus of the most anchante and famous Citie
after the :
siege, says
of Chester in times past; mark the ruins of it at present, viz. : within
these three years, 1643, 1644, 1645, the particular demolitions of it
now most grievous to the spectator and more woeful to the inhabitants
thereoff." After describing the devastations he continues :
"
The drawing dry of the Cittie stockes, plate, rentes and collections,
all which losses will amount to two hundred thousand pounds at
the least." (MS. volume at Stowe, quoted by Lysons.) After reading
this graphic account, we need not be surprised at the absence of
ancient plate at Chester.
An interesting copperplate is preserved in the office, and is per-
haps that mentioned in the cash-book of November, 1692 : "Paid
Mr.
Bullen for a copperplate and punson 4^" It contains principally
the maker's <strong>marks</strong>, which consisted of the first two letters of the
surname, and on and after 1720 the initials of Christian and sur-
name. It has also the Roman capital date letters on square stamps
used in the cycle commencing 1701, and those of other cycles of a
later date, but not arranged in order The other stamps are struck
promiscuously on the plate, for the purpose of proving them, as well
as for reference.
In 1773, the Members of the Company of Goldsmiths and
Watchmakers of the City of Chester were :
Mr. Joseph EJuke, Silversmith.
George Walker, do.
John Scascbrick, Jeweller, Assayer.
Gabriel Smith, Watchmaker.
Thomas Brown, do.
Robert Cowley, do.
Tohn Richardson ) a i.- j i. c-i -^i ^ ^
Thomas Duke Apprenticed to Silversmiths, but
T r^ out 01 business.
James Conway )
The names and places of abode of goldsmiths, silversmiths and
plate-workers fthen living, 1773), who had entered their names and
<strong>marks</strong> in the Assay Office at Chester, were Messrs.
George Walker, Chester. John Gimlet, Birmingham.
William Pemberton, do. Ralph Wakefield, Liverpool.
Richard Richardson, do. Joseph Walley, do.
Jas. Dixon, do. Christian Thyme, do.
William Hardwick, Manchester. Ralph Walker, do.
T. Prichard, Shrewsbury. Fisher, do.
Geo. Smith, Warrington. J. Wyke & T. Green, do.
Gimble & Vale, Birmingham.
Bolton & Fothergill.