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TEA & SENTIMENT

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By JAY MOORE

Tribune correspondent

Published: November 16, 2008

My silver coffee server has been in the family for years. I plan to give it to my grandson and his bride and would like to provide them with information about it. It's marked on the bottom "GMCO" and "EP" with an anchor.

B.B.

Valrico

This silver-plated coffee pot was manufactured by Gorham Corp. of Providence, R.I., around 1930. It probably was part of a large service that may have included a teapot, creamer, sugar bowl and tray.
Gorham was founded by Jabez Gorham, born in 1792. Jabez apprenticed as a jeweler and later formed his own business making coin silver. His son John eventually took over the business. In 1991, Gorham became part of Lenox.

It is monogrammed silver plate and its value to your family is mostly sentimental. It would sell for about $30.

Our lamp once hung in my grandmother's house around the turn of the 20th century. The shade has a metal frame with colored glass panels and an oil font. It has been converted to electric. What is the value?

R.D.

Bon Air, Va.

The shade is a silhouette type: colored slag-glass sections enclosed in a cast metal cage. Silhouette shades normally were used on electric table lamps, although hanging versions also were made.

I am guessing that it might be a Frankenstein lamp. In other words, it may have been assembled from parts, including the oil font. In any event, it is a wonderful shade. The lamp would retail for about $800.

If it is indeed completely original, add $400.

Have a question about antiques? E-mail a complete description with a clear, high-resolution digital image in .jpg format to baylife@tampatrib.com. Include a name, address and daytime phone number. Regular mail can be sent with clear photographs (not compu

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