Old Made Not New, Just Yet

[dogofthefuture]

The problems of the not-actually-very-rich: We rather suddenly inherited several generations of silver service pieces, coming down to me as the only child of an only child of a child of a small family whose patriarch did *just fine* during the Depression, and apparently used "those tough economic times" to pick up some deals

Comments

[dogofthefuture]

Yep, that is what is going to happen.

[dlayiga]

it's mostly depression era stuff? if you have anything pre 1900, i might be interested.

[dogofthefuture]

Dunno, dlay. We're going to do the research, not actually melt it down. Heh.

[seal_clubber]

I, too, was going to suggest eBay as an alternative to simply melting everything down.

I have a set of Royal Doulton china I inherited from my grandfather which has never been used by me, nor is it likely to be. It is entirely too fine and delicate and absolutely florid. I have no other way to describe other than to say it looks like Old People china. I will use it when I am 90.

I also have a sterling silver pizza cutter that we got for a wedding present, which is another one of those "am I actually ever going to *use* this?" kind of things.

[dogofthefuture]

"We must give them something silver! But what, oh what, can we afford?" Heh.

[essentialsaltes]

Check for makers marks and dates. They may have been bought in the Depression, but could be older. And google your way to a little research, to see whether appraisal is warranted.

It doesn't sound as though there are many close cousins, but if there are others in your family who may be more sentimentally attached to it, foist in on them. Otherwise, get it sold if it has no particular value or use to you. Ebay, silvershop, antique shop, pawn shop. Whatever.

[dogofthefuture]

Yeah, we were planning to do the research, not actually melt it down. It's just a bit of a daunting prospect.

[travspence]

I actually like silver eating utensils because they quickly get to be the same temperature as the food and I find that pleasing.

That being said, the only silver items I own are a salt and pepper set shaped like rocket ships that my mom gave me.