Pairpoint Baby Cup

Q We found an old baby cup when we moved into my parents’ 1898 house. It’s marked ”Pairpoint Mfg. Co., Quadruple Plate, New Bedford, Mass.” Can you give me any information about it?

A The Pairpoint Manufacturing Co. started in New Bedford, Mass., in 1880. It was founded to make silver-plated items to go with Mt. Washington’s glassware. The company was named after Thomas J. Pairpoint, a well-known designer who left Meriden Britannia Co. to become the superintendent of the new company. Mt. Washington Glass Co. became part of Pairpoint in 1894 and the companies became the Pairpoint Corporation in 1900. Silver production stopped about 1930. Value of your silver-plated baby cup, $15 to $20.