Description

The shipping coasts for the 50 states and Puerto Rico are included in the listed price of this item. For any other destination, please email for a shipping quote BEFORE bidding. I ship only by USPS Priority Mail & Express Mail, no exceptions. I NEVER ship silver in envelopes. I neither solicit nor accept offers. Listed items will not be marked down during the listing duration Alaska is a pattern that dates to 1890, when some patterns named after states and cities were beginning to become popular. When the Alaskan Gold Rush hit from 1896 to 1899, Alaska could have become a trend, but I cannot find any information as to whether or not this pattern was still being produced then. The pattern is simple and pretty, the flowers perhaps bringing to mind the first flowers of Spring in the tundra. The luncheon knife and luncheon fork came to be for a variety of possible reasons. Different people have different theories about the origin of these place pieces. Some say that the luncheon knife and fork are smaller than the dinner knife and fork because they tended to be used by women, who have smaller hands, at luncheon parties. Others argue that by using one set of knives and forks for lunch, the other set could be used at dinner, and the washing up could be done only once at the end of the day. I suspect that the luncheon pieces were made as part of the 19th century pride of ownership, particularly among the middle class. Having many different pieces of silverware for many different uses was a sign that one had "arrived" socially and monetarily. Manufacturers could, with machine technology, turn out an astounding variety, not only of patterns, but of place and serving pieces. Today, the luncheon pieces are a fun way of enjoying the elegance of the past. In some early patterns where salad forks are scarce or non-existent, the luncheon fork is a good substitute. A friend who has arthritis in her hands tells me that luncheon pieces are more comfortable to hold and use than the larger dinner pieces. The 6 luncheon forks offered here� measure about 7" These are not pieces of new silver. They show the patina of as much as 120 years of careful use. There are the light scratches which constitute normal patina. There is no monogram. Silver is softly lustrous. There is a tiny line of silver loss on the heel of one of the forks. The pattern is crisp and clear. These spoons have been carefully used and well cared for. polish all silver before listing on eBay. Please email with any questions before bidding. PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE AUCTION DESCRIPTION CAREFULLY. BY BIDDING YOU AGREE TO ABIDE BY MY TERMS OF SALE including the cost and method of shipping and my return policy. I welcome international bidders, but remember that shipping charges can be high. Ask before you bid. Winning bidder to pay shipping charges unless otherwise specified. I ship by United States Postal Service only. I ship all silverware via USPS Priority Mail in boxes. I NEVER ship silverware in envelopes. I insure ALL shipping, as I sell old and scarce items that cannot be easily replaced. Domestic shipping charge for 1 pound or under is now $8.10 which is Priority Mail. International shipping charges vary widely, and I now must use only International Priority shipping, in order to be able to insure the package, purchase a tracking number and proof of delivery, all of which protect both buyer and seller. I now print shipping labels online to keep shipping costs down as much as possible, so I can ship only to the buyer's confirmed address. I regret that I can no longer ship gifts directly to the recipient. Payment in US funds only, and I can accept only eBay's payment system. I must receive payment in full within 7 days after the end of auction or a store purchase. Due to misuse of a former return policy, I will no longer accept returns. I will of course take responsibility for items that arrive damaged or if there is a serious error in the listing. See item description for payment & shipping methods. FREE scheduling, supersized images and templates. Get Vendio Sales Manager. FREE scheduling, supersized images and templates. Get Vendio Sales Manager. Over 100,000,000 served. Get FREE counters from Vendio today!