Lot # 20: Mappin & Webb Prince's Plate 1891 Candle Holders

Starting Bid: $150.00

Bids: 5 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Spring 2023",
which ran from 4/5/2023 12:00 PM to
4/22/2023 8:00 PM



Made by Mappin & Webb and covered under a British registered design issued in 1891, these candle holders feature crossed clubs and mesh-pattern gutty balls. Mappin & Webb was a highly prestigious silversmith who made the original Ryder Cup trophy and remains in business today. 

The underside of one base is stamped "Rd. 173908 Mappin & Webb. Oxford St. W." while the underside of the other base is stamped "Mappin & Webb's Princess Plate, Rd. No 173908, W9904."  There is a second number on this base, but it is obscured by the round serrated nut that fixes the candle holder to the base. 

According to AC Silver.co.uk:

"Mappin & Webb was founded by Joseph Mappin in Sheffield in 1810. Although Mappin and Webb is not the oldest Sheffield Silversmith still operating, it has a rich history and reputation for quality and for famous customers, making it one of the most prominent and well known Sheffield silver makers.

"One of the reasons that Mappin & Webb gained such a prestigious reputation is that at one time they specialized in a specific type of Silver Plate known as Prince’s plate. Prince’s plate is a higher quality than normal silver plate, as the process uses a triple deposit of silver, and has an added coating of protection on all vertices and edges of their pieces of cutlery. The result of this is that these Mappin and Webb Prince’s plate items . . . wear more like sterling silver, and have far more durability." <https://www.acsilver.co.uk/shop/pc/Mappin-Webb-Ltd-b172.htm>

That sure appears true about these 130-year-old candle holders, both of which include the inside liners that fit the top of each holder.  These holders have a wonderful brilliance and shine.  They measure 4" wide across the base and 6" tall.

For those who are curious, the Ryder Cup trophy was commissioned by English seed merchant Samuel A. Ryder to Mappin & Webb Co., who created the trophy for 250 pounds. That’s the equivalent of roughly $21,000 in 2020. Ryder presented the trophy to the Professional Golfers’ Association of Great Britain and Ireland prior to the first Ryder Cup in 1927.

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