William Adams Silver Plate

Q I have a shell-shape silver plate dish marked ”W” and ”A” in shields with something that looks like a carpenter’s compass between the letters. Below that it says ”England.”

A Your dish was made by William Adams Inc. of Birmingham, England, and New York City. The company was founded in 1865 and specialized in making compasses. The company also made Masonic jewelry and reproduction silver pieces. Much of its silver plate was exported to the United States. The company claimed use of this mark beginning in 1899. Goods exported to the U.S. had to be marked with the words ”Made in” and the country of origin in 1921, so your dish was made between 1899 and 1921. The company was bought by Henry Jenkins & Sons Ltd., but the date is unknown.