Some FAQS About Hotel Silver

I regularly receive emails from people inquiring about how to care for their hotel silver or where to acquire specific pieces. I thought I'd try and answer some of the frequently asked questions and hope they help with your search.

my collection of coffee, teapots & pitchers

c. 1900 Reed & Barton catalog showcasing prototypes

c. 1900 Reed & Barton catalog showcasing rare pieces

Q. I'm looking for large items such as punch bowls and serving platters. Do you ever come across any?

A. Early pieces of hotel silver were primarily made for individual servings, such as small little teapots, coffee pots, serving dishes or butter pats --one for each guest. A small tureen could have been used for a single serving of soup, but can now be used to hold gravy or sauce. Back in the early 1900s, china was mixed with silver for serving. There weren't a lot of large-scale pieces. If they do exist, they are quite rare and costly.

assorted spoons

Q. I'm interested in purchasing 8, 10, 12-piece place settings of flatware. Do you carry that?

A. Hotel silver is getting more and more difficult to acquire. I generally come across individual pieces of flatware. Sometimes I get lucky and acquire a small set, but have never come across a complete table setting. I always suggest mixing and matching. It's more fun anyway!

sometimes I get lucky and acquire a "lot"

Q. I'm looking for a bulk lot of ______. Do you carry that?

A. As I mentioned above, hotel silver is hard to acquire. It's like mining for gold. You never know what you're going to find and from where. It's not often you come across a "lot" of one type of piece. However, if a hotel is liquidating, there is an occasional opportunity to purchase an entire "lot."

Q. Can you locate a piece of silver from the _____ Hotel?

A. Quite frankly...well (see above answer). I really wish there was a 1-800-hotelsilver number. I'd have a wonderful supply!


Q. How do I care for my hotel silver?

A. Actually, I did a blog post about that some time ago, referenced here. I swear by Hagerty Silver Foam!


Q. I need a piece repaired, what do I do?

A. I highly recommend a qualified silversmith. We have an excellent one here in San Francisco called Biro & Sons. I plan on devoting an entire post on their operation in the near future.

Hope that answered a few questions. If you have any more, please don't hesitate to ask!

Hotel Silver: Still a Hot Collectible

Gosh was I thrilled to pick up the newest issue of Romantic Homes to see hotel silver included as one of editor Jacqueline deMontravel's picks for top vintage collectibles.


This issue is definitely a "must-have" for antique/vintage enthusiasts. It is brimming with goodies. There is a special flea market section which includes the top 50 flea markets in ths US and the top romantic flea markets. Its 'special collection section' includes the editor's picks for the top vintage collectibles, as well as what's hot and where to find it.

part of my hotel silver collection (above)

I'm humbled that Jacqueline contacted me to talk a bit about my favorite collectible. It's been a passion of mine for over 13 years; collecting and selling it, and I'm honored to be quoted (above). There's even a photo of part of my collection. Hotel silver is something I'll never tire of and I'm glad to see that others are still as enthusiastic!

If you have an opportunity, pick up the August issue of Romantic Homes on newsstands now. This issue is the biggest collectibles guide ever and you'll love it!

Many thanks again to Jacqueline at Romantic Homes for including me in this wonderful publication.

images: Romantic Homes magazine

What's This Worth?

I get several emails a week from people asking me the value pieces they have. I thought this would be a great place to talk a little bit about that.

First, and foremost, I'm not an antiques appraiser, so I can't supply the value of something. Which brings me to this...

How does one find out the value of an antique or vintage item?

• No matter what information you find regarding the value of your antique or collectible, it is only worth as much as someone is willing to pay you for it. Perhaps you watched the Antiques Road Show and saw a piece valued at a certain amount. That only applies unless you have a buyer.
  
  
• Supply and demand. When the supply is low, collectors will pay a higher amount for an item just so they can own it. When the market is flush with goods, the value of those items goes down.
  
  
  
• Take for example, hotel silver, something I specialize in. How do you put value on it? Not an easy answer. The more scarce of a piece--for example, a sought-after hotel such as the Plaza or Waldorf in New York City is generally worth more than a piece from a Hilton or Sheraton.
  
  
• Condition. In most cases, the better condition of a piece, the greater its overall value. Not with hotel silver. Sometimes the most pitted or tarnished piece can be a real treasure because of its provenance and design.
  
  
• Generally, if you have an item that you'd like to sell, you shouldn't expect to get much more than half of its value. That’s because dealers need to mark the item up to make a profit. Unless, however, you have a retail venue to sell it.
  
  
• My recommendation is to do the most you can to investigate it. Scour the internet for similar items, visit auctions and eBay to find out what people are buying and what prices are being paid. You can also contact auction houses or consignment shops to sell your items. Good luck!
  

images: parishotelboutique.com

Can Someone Please Tell Me What This Is??

I'm hoping you smart bloggers out there can help with this small dilemma...

I've been collecting and selling hotel silver for over 12 years now and am completely stumped as to the use of this piece. It's been in my collection for many years and I plan on selling it. I love that it's from the Grand Hotel in Cannes, but what exactly is it?

This is a side view of the piece...It measures 5" in diameter (not including the handle) and 5" tall

This is a close-up of the handle that ejects the lid when pulled apart.

Inside the bowl is a spoon-like paddle that shifts across the bowl when the handle is moved. What would it be used for? Couldn't be coffee, tea or a juicer since the base has such large openings.

This is the base. It appears as if it rests on top of a glass, but again, why the large openings?

If anyone has any clue as what this piece is for, I would greatly appreciate your input!!

Thanks a bunch!

I Love Old Hotel Stuff!

Meet Clem Long and Claudia Long-Miller.

I think they are my soulmates.

They have been collecting old hotel stuff since the 1960's.

Dad Clem is 83 years old and was a former auctioneer and hotel liquidator. Daughter Claudia is a certified antiques appraiser who worked with her Dad in the 60's & 70's liquidating old hotels.

The stories they have. And they are telling them!

This father-and-daughter team has started a blog, I Love Old Hotel Stuff. Clem and Claudia started this blog last month to share their experiences of liquidating old hotels and the thrill of collecting antiques. From the wild to the wacky!

Take for instance, liquidating the Commodore Hotel in New York. A 2000 room hotel, which means 4000 beds, which means 8000 pillows. How do you sell 8,000 pillows?


They owned a hearse and an ambulance that they would drive to the various hotels with materials and personnel. Clem would contact the news media hoping they would be there to greet them. And they did. Apparently, the media was more interested in the hearse and ambulance than the hotel itself.

If the hotel was being razed, they would use the hearse to symbolize the death of the hotel. And if it was being refurbished, they would take the ambulance to symbolize the hotel was hurt and was to be brought back to health!

Clem's office had a large desk that was the one used by President Lincoln in his office at the Willard Hotel. The hardwood floor and arm wall came from the Gibson Hotel in Cincinnati. The chandelier was from the Commodore Hotel in New York City.

This is just a tidbit from this fun blog. Please go visit I Love Old Hotel Stuff here for more fun & interesting stories! And be sure and leave Clem a comment!

photos from I Love Old Hotel Stuff

Endless Inspiration: Fiona Richards

I've been obsessed with Cartolina Cards for a long time now. This line is designed and produced by the talented British Columbia-based graphic designer, Fiona Richards. And, I have quite a large stash of her cards in my drawer, ready for the next occasion!

Fiona's designs are influenced by exotic curiosities that surrounded her growing up in Scotland with her grandparents in their 300 year old stone house, filled to the brim with strange and curious mementos from their lives as textile dealers in old world India.

The odd collections of things that filled her home were items that her grandfather brought back from India and South Asia. Everything from books & pictures, to silverware and ornaments. Since childhood, Fiona was exposed to a world of curiosities that have influenced her design work.

Fiona's family photographs are a bizarre collection of elephant riding, pith helmet wearing, and family swimming in the Indian Ocean wearing pointed grass hats.

Elephants play a leading role in imagery for Fiona's cards. They are always a favorite for buyers.

(above) A couple of Fiona's favorite pieces of ephemera that her grandfather collected from India and Asia.

These old French letters sit in a glass jar next to Fiona's computer. The handwriting inspires her every day...

Fiona's studio is filled with artful treasures and design relics she collects on her travels to the markets and shops nearby and abroad. She has amassed quite a collection of vintage items that give her endless inspiration such as her "favorite little tins."

She loves their typography and handpainting...

Curious collections of Fionas include these 2 miniature drawings from Switzerland from a local farm sale, hand-carved wooden boats found in the walls of a Victorian house; tortoiseshell eyeglasses; extra-long paper scissors; rubber stamps

Ancient patterns, colors, exotic images and textures make Cartolina Cards one of my favorite lines...And they're printed on recycled paper of the highest quality!

Even the back of the cards are so beautifully detailed...

Cafe Cartolina cards can be found in shops all over the world, from the U.K. to the U.S. Or, you can purchase them online here at Modern Paper Goods.


Wait! Did I mention that Fiona has one of the most beautiful blogs? Cafe Cartolina is a feast for the eyes. Join Fiona on her latest quests from travel & collecting to design & fashion.

Thanks Fiona for your endless inspiration, and for giving me a reason to visit my local gift shop frequently!

Cafe Cartolina blog
Cartolina Cards wholesale
Cartolina Cards retailers

photos from Cafe Cartolina & Cartolina Cards

American Pickers

I just finished watching "American Pickers" on the History Channel. I missed the premiere last week. Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, a duo of antiques dealers and treasure hunters, are on a labor of love mission to recycle America's past. They dig through junk piles, abandoned barns and basements for hidden memorabilia. Kind of like the antiques roadshow, but a much funkier travel version.

I'm not quite sure if I like the show or not. Perhaps I need to see some more episodes. Has anyone seen it yet? What do you think?

I appreciate the History Channel's new “National Treasures” programming genre in which relics belonging to everyday people tell a history of America.

American Pickers airs Monday evenings on the History Channel. Check your local station (if in the US) for times, and let me know what you think!

a few of my Favorite Things...

As an antiques dealer, I'm constantly asked, "How do you part with this?" That's a good question. I think most of us started out as collectors and have a difficult time selling our acquisitions. I only purchase what I like, so it's really hard to sell it. And unique items are becoming more difficult to find, so it's even tougher!

I thought I'd share some favorite finds that I can't part with. At least for now...

I recently acquired this old silverplate chatelaine notebook from the "Grand Restaurant" in Brussels. It has so much detail...I'm crazy for it!

the menu printed on the back...how cute it that?

AND it's a note pad. Never seen one like it before. It's a keeper...

I LOVE vintage trophies and have a small collection of them. This one reads, "Awarded to Parisian Cloak Company for Best Dressed Store Window." I use it for fresh flowers...

and this 1930's trophy from the Catskill Mountains for a "Bathing Beauty Contest"

I stumbled upon these 19th century mercury glass apothecary jars at a flea market. I was planning on selling them, but I have to hang on to them for awhile...

I found this French top hat with a prize ribbon and it must stay...

Then there are my San Francisco collections, such as this antique souvenir cup...

...and my prized oil paintings of San Francisco. Over the years I have amassed about 8 paintings of the Cliff House and Golden Gate Bridge. Some are really small and charming. They are all done by amateur artists, and that makes them even more special...

Many years ago I purchased this colorful, whimsical oil painting of a tourist in Paris. It's so quirky...

another painting that I cherish, c. 1960's...

I purchased this huge map at a San Francisco antiques store...

My Great-Grandfather was a woodcarver in San Francisco and carved for many of the churches, as well as Hearst Castle at San Simeon. These are just a couple of relics of his that I treasure. I found them in my aunt's basement...

This old French vanity piece was given to me by a dear friend and holds a special place...

I love anything hotel-related, so I flipped when I found this old wooden room sign at an antiques show. It is permanently glued to the second bedroom door, so I guess it's staying!

Thanks for letting me play "show and tell."

What are some "favorite things" that you can't part with? I'd love to hear! If you have any photos to share, please e-mail them and I'll post on this blog!