The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-09-16

Townsend and Compton were famous London makers from about the middle of | the eighteenth century. The Piggotts made from l725 To 1770. and sent much ware here Smith and Leapidge and the spackmans were also large makers of nrst-class ware
 Dixon X Sons and the Vickers did not make pewter though the owners of many tea sets will declare they did These two firms made white metal, which WAS also called Britannia ware.
 There were many pewterers in thls country, some of the best known being 1 l<irllby, Thomas Boardman, Boardman X Hart, or Boardman & Co. Some of the pieces of the last named firm bear the words New York" They had a shop In Burling Slip till 1s41, at which time they dropped the making of pewter and sub stituted Britannia ware. Tn fact, after this date the trade of pewterers dlsap- pears from the New York directories.
 Hamlin, New York. Is another American mark; so are Reed < Barton, Robert Boyle, Francis Bassett John Halden and James Leddel Homans & Co., was firm in Cincinnati. and sellew was an- other maker in the same city, Graves and Henry Shrimpton were New England names, and there Is much good American pewter which bears no mark at all.
 What 1t is Worth.
 The question of prices is always a dif- ficult one to settle. Plates in good con dition. 8. g, 10 or Il inches in diameter, should bring from S1.25 to $2,50 each. Large platters and chargers. from F to 16 inches in diameter, are worth from 8 to s6 each. When they measure 20 inches or more or are embelished with work of any kind they are worth considerably more.
 It is unfortunate that much new pewter is being worked off as antique. There are quaint vessels for drlnning. much like tankard In form and of Scotch origin, known as 'tappit hens" which are being reproduced in large numbers and sent to this country. Porringers of inferior quail ity are also on sale. but the ears are sol dered on, and the work them Is poor. Before buying pieces like these it Is best to know their history.
 With regard to cleaning pewter there is much diversity Of opinion. Foreign mu- seums keep their pewter dull, and there is certain pleasing quality in the soft gray of unburnished pewter.
 For those who prefer it bright the fol- lowing method Is recommended: Soak your pieces for a day or two, if very dull, in water in which a small quantity of pot ash has been dissolved, a bit of the size of a hickory nut to each quart of water being the proper proportion. When you take the pieces out rub them carefully with a cork dipped in oil and little of the finest sand. Then polish with cha mois skin and whiting
 The sand is not recommended by the experts. but it Is often used and when once your pewter Is well cleaned. you csn keep it bright by frequent applications of hot water and soap.
 During the pasf year or two there has been revival of interest in pewter. Ii is being extensively used in country houses Instead of silver. for, being of less value, i it does not require storing when the fam fly returns to the city and the house Is closed. Some firms are reproducing the old patterns which were used nearly hundred years ago, and hollow ware dike tea sets. pitchers. tankards, ewers and nlugs) can be obtained.