American Sterling Silver Flatware 1830s-1990s: An Identification and Value Guide

I was simply much too impatient for quick and easy answers the last time I wrote a review for this book, and I am a bit ashamed of myself for having been so negative and hypercritical. After much more time and education on the subject of American Sterling flatware, I realized that Ms. Dolan's approach is actually rather pragmatic and useful (organized alphabetically, by manufacturer, with hallmarks being displayed before each section). I would have appreciated an entire section devoted solely to identifying hallmarks, a wider range of American manufacturers, and an index, but this book has indeed proven useful for me, regardless (even though I am only able to reference between 50 to 60% of the patterns in any given pile of mixed antique American Sterling flatware, using solely this book - but still). Though by no means a complete reference in itself, Ms. Dolan's book should indeed be included in any collection of American Sterling flatware reference material, and seems to fill some of the gaps in other existing reference guides.

This book fills the niche between Tere Hagan's pattern identification book "Sterling Flatware" and Richard Osterberg's piece identification book "Sterling Silver Flatware. Mrs. Dolan's focus is on giving lists of pieces that were available in certain patterns. This is a great help for those trying to complete older sets or modern sets that have dropped pieces from their present production.

Dolan has compiled almost complete listings with pictures or drawings of the patterns that are very intricate and easy to follow. Even more interesting are the articles that preclude the individual sections giving overviews of the histories of the companies profiled. It does not list every single pattern from every single company listed, but comes close. Overall a very good book for flatware collectors and enthusiasts