Paul Revere Tea Set

Q: I have a small 3-piece tea set with a 5-inch high teapot with a lid, a 1 1/2-inch sugar bowl, and a 2-inch creamer. The bottom is marked “Sheffield, Paul Revere Silver Co., Boston” and there is a picture of Paul Revere riding a horse. What do you think it’s worth?

A: The name Paul Revere has been associated with silver since the eighteenth century. But your silver wasn’t made by Paul Revere, the silversmith who was also an American patriot, famous for his midnight ride in 1775. Sterling silver reproductions of Paul Revere’s silver and patterns called “Paul Revere” have been made by several companies. Your silver-plated tea set was made by Paul Revere Silver Co., a company in business in Boston by 1912 and out of business before 1922. Sheffield is the name for a method of making silver plate by fusing a layer of silver onto a thicker layer of copper. A 1914 newspaper ad said Paul Revere Silver Co. was liquidating its entire inventory of Sheffield after a reorganization of the company and several hundred pieces were being offered by a local furniture company at 25 percent off. Your tea set is worth about $150, depending on the pattern.