Top quality Silverware...

[Cucina]

Ebay is a great place for a silver collector - especially if you collect an old pattern that isn't made anymore or if you have an old pattern and want to collect unusual pieces like Cracker Spoons, individual asparagus tongs, fried oyster server, or saratoga chips server that aren't made anymore. Whether you can only afford to buy one piece at a time or a whole set, it's a great place to get a feel for prices.

You do NOT have to spend 10k to 15k for a full set for 12 either. Tiffany - except the older stuff - is overrated for flatware.

There is nothing more beautiful than a well prepared meal complimented by a well appointed table.

Oh - for patterns - for the traditional minded, I like Gorham's Strasbourg pattern. of Steiff Repousse. For modern tastes, George Jensen is good bet but very expensive.

Edited November 13, 2004 by Cucina (log)

[robyn]

Ebay is a great place for a silver collector - especially if you collect an old pattern that isn't made anymore or if you have an old pattern and want to collect unusual pieces like Cracker Spoons, individual asparagus tongs, fried oyster server, or saratoga chips server that aren't made anymore.  Whether you can only afford to buy one piece at a time or a whole set, it's a great place to get a feel for prices. 

You do NOT have to spend 10k to 15k for a full set for 12 either.  Tiffany - except the older stuff - is overrated for flatware.

There is nothing more beautiful than a well prepared meal complimented by a well appointed table.

Oh - for patterns - for the traditional minded, I like Gorham's Strasbourg pattern. of Steiff Repousse. For modern tastes, George Jensen is  good bet but very expensive.

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I've worked on EBay for quite a while as a seller - and if I were a buyer - I'd be *very* careful about buying anything expensive there. Replacements Ltd. is more expensive (as are many other reputable dealers) - but I don't think you have to worry about your money going "poof". FWIW - Clark Howard has rated Ebay as one of the lowest rated companies in the US in terms of responsiveness to consumer complaints. If someone is thinking about something that's used and *really* expensive - doesn't hurt to look at the silver auctions at Sotheby's and Christie's (I sold something at Christie's last year - and was very pleased with its services). Robyn

[chichi728]

Shrubsole in Manhattan has an excellent reputation for selling complete sets of well-cared-for used and valuable silver (and I'd guess worthy of passing from generation to generation). They're quite expensive, however. It's certainly worth a look when in the city. I

t's also worthwhile to check the auction houses in NY, esp. during the summer, when many dealers are away, for silver flatware. My husband and I bought a lovely set of silver in July (admittedly quite a few years ago) for an amazing price -- the only problem might be, in this situation, that replacement pieces will be more difficult to find. Good luck.

[Cucina]

Ebay is a great place for a silver collector - especially if you collect an old pattern that isn't made anymore or if you have an old pattern and want to collect unusual pieces like Cracker Spoons, individual asparagus tongs, fried oyster server, or saratoga chips server that aren't made anymore.  Whether you can only afford to buy one piece at a time or a whole set, it's a great place to get a feel for prices. 

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I've worked on EBay for quite a while as a seller - and if I were a buyer - I'd be *very* careful about buying anything expensive there. Robyn

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I don't consider a $20 sterling fork to be expensive. But I have bought other things out there like a set of 12 sterling goblets that might be considered expensive. You can check seller feedback which is a good indication as to whether the seller has a reputation for the goods matching the description. Many high end silver dealers use ebay including Lauren Stanley from NYC. Also, a number of highly reputable auction houses also use ebay as well. It's a great way to find things that might otherwise take a lifetime. I agree, you have to be careful but I don't think it should be a deterent.

Edited November 14, 2004 by Cucina (log)