A SMALL COLLECTION OF ANTIQUE SILVER
AND OBJECTS OF VERTU
an article of Prof. David N. Nikogosyan,
University College Cork, Cork, Ireland,
for ASCAS - Association of Small Collectors of Antique Silver		 a small collection of antique silver and objects of vertu
A list of articles on European continental silver plate marks collected by Prof. David N. Nikogosyan


(click on photos to enlarge image)

MARKS OF EUROPEAN SILVER PLATE:
X. WELLNER, GERMANY

This article is devoted to the marks of silver-plated hollow ware (and trays), issued by the August Wellner & Sons foundry in Aue, Saxony and follows my other paper [1] on the history of this company and its heraldry, which is published in the same ASCAS Newsletter issue. After studying the history of this foundry one can draw the following table containing the evolution of the firm name during different periods of its history.

PERIOD
FIRM NAME
Before 1892
August Wellner (?)
1892-1913
Sächsische Metallwarenfabrik August Wellner Söhne, Aue in Sachsen
1913-1941
Sächsische Metallwarenfabrik August Wellner Söhne Aktiengesellschaft (A.-G.), Aue i. Sa.
1958-1992
VEB Auer Besteck-und Silberwarenwerke (ABS)
1992-2001
Wellner Bestecke und Silberwaren, GmbH, Aue
nowadays
Wellner/ABS GmbH, Schneeberg

The marks listed below belong mainly to the second and third period of the company's activity shown in this table, which corresponds to the time when Paul Gaedt was managing the firm (1892-1936). Interestingly, at least twenty different marks plus numerous varieties were used in this time for marking the silver-plated Wellner hollow ware. Before listing these marks, I want to underline the following peculiarities of marking:

1) Twice in c.1892 and in 1927 the new mark was added to the old one, which means that an over-printing of a new mark on the already marked items took place.

2) In the period c.1908-c.1921 two separate lines marking the silver-plated hollow ware were used. I suppose that this was made in order to distinguish the pieces made in new factory buildings from those made in old premises (or with older and newer technologies). Therefore, I called these lines "old" and "new" factories.

3) Contrary to WMF (Württemberg Metal Factory) there is a total absence of dated Wellner silver-plated items issued at the end of XIX or the beginning of XX centuries (except the pieces ordered by steamship companies). This circumstance makes very difficult the exact time attribution of early Wellner items. At the same time it shows the strong difference in fashion existing in different parts of the young German Empire, such as Württemberg and Saxony.



"Dice" mark (before c.1892).
N°
MARK
COMMENT
1
 Dice mark of August Wellner Söhne company (before c.1892)

Dice mark of August Wellner Söhne company (before c.1892)

Dice mark of August Wellner Söhne company (before c.1892)

A dice mark of "August Wellner Söhne" company. Very rare. There is no indication of the factory name. The full marking consists of the volume designation (in cl., 1 cl. = 10 cm3), the oval and the circle. In the centre of the oval there is a "Wellner dice" [1]. Note, that with each item the same combination appears on the dice: one pip on the top facet, two pips on the side facet and four pips on the front facet. The inscription in oval "ALPACCA SILBER" means "Silver-plated Alpaca". Two letters "E" and "S" to the left and to the right of the dice (or "I" and "I") justify the quality of silver-plating, «ES» means "Erste Sorte" or "High quality", "I" and "I" refers to the thinner layer of silver [1]. The size of the oval varies from 3.0 mm x 4.0 mm to 4.0 mm x 5.0 mm. In the circle the amount of silver used for plating (in grams) is indicated. The diameter of the circle in the case of a single-digit number is 1.8 mm, in the case of a double-digit number it is 2.2 mm.

Mark S.M.F. WS (before c.1892).
N°
MARK
COMMENT
2
before c.1892 mark used only in the case of pure Alpaca
This mark refers to the products made of pure base metal (Alpaca). Very rare. The inscription "S.M.F. " in the oval is the shortening of "Sächsische Metallwaren Fabrik", or Saxony Metal Goods Factory. The meaning of the initials "W" and "S" (to the left and to the right of the dice) is not known. The inscription below "ALPACCA" refers to the base metal. The size of the oval is about 3.2 mm x 4.0 mm.

Mark WELLNER SÖHNE + dice mark (c.1892).
N°
MARK
COMMENT
3
 Mark WELLNER SÖHNE + dice mark (c.1892)

Mark WELLNER SÖHNE + dice mark (c.1892)

This mark is a combination of the dice mark No.1 with the inscription "WELLNER SÖHNE" (Wellner & Sons), and this additional inscription could be applied both to the top and to the bottom of the oval. Note the difference in the look of two points in the letter "Ö" for two different items. The size of the oval is about 3.2 mm x 4.0 mm, the diameter of the circle is 2.1 mm. The length of the word "WELLNER" is 6.6-6.9 mm. Rare.

Mark WELLNER SÖHNE + S.M.F. WS mark (c.1892).
N°
MARK
COMMENT
4
Mark WELLNER SÖHNE + S.M.F. WS mark (c.1892) This mark is a combination of the S.M.F. WS mark No.2 with the inscription "WELLNER SÖHNE" (Wellner & Sons). It refers to the pieces made of pure Alpaca. The size of the oval is about 3.2 mm x 4.0 mm. The length of the word "WELLNER" is 6.5 mm. Rare.

Mark WELLNER SOEHNE + dice mark, "old factory" (c.1892 - c.1914).
N°
MARK
COMMENT
5
Mark WELLNER SOEHNE + dice mark, 'old factory' (c.1892 - c.1914)

Mark WELLNER SOEHNE + dice mark, 'old factory' (c.1892 - c.1914)

Mark WELLNER SOEHNE + dice mark, 'old factory' (c.1892 - c.1914)

This mark was used on silver-plated items. Contrary to the mark No.3, here the oval with a dice is inside the inscription "WELLNER SOEHNE". Another difference is a new way of writing the word "SOEHNE" by using two letters "OE" instead of one "Ö". For the items ordered by steamship companies the year of production is also indicated. The length of the word "WELLNER" is 5.7-6.3 mm. The size of the oval is noticeably smaller compared to the one in the case of mark No.3 and varies between 2.3 mm x 2.7 mm and 3.1 mm x 4.0 mm. The diameter of the circle with the silver content data in the case of a single-digit number is 1.9 mm, in the case of a double-digit number it is 2.1 mm. Rather common.

Mark WELLNER SOEHNE, "old factory" (c.1914-c.1921).
N°
MARK
COMMENT
6
Mark WELLNER SOEHNE, 'old factory' (c.1914 - c.1921)
Mark WELLNER SOEHNE, 'old factory' (c.1914 - c.1921)
Mark WELLNER SOEHNE, 'old factory' (c.1914 - c.1921)
Next mark consists from the same words "WELLNER" and "SOEHNE", as the marks No.4 and No.5, but written with a hyphen. It also relates to the "old factory" group of marks.
The length of the word "WELLNER" is 6.2-6.6 mm. The diameter of the circle with the silver content data in the case of a single-digit number is 2.2 mm, in the case of a double-digit number it is 2.6 mm. Very seldom the items are dated using the rhomb marking with two last year digits inside. The size of the vertical rhomb diagonal is 2 mm, while the size of the horizontal rhomb diagonal is 3.5 mm.

Marks SMF AUGUST WELLNER SNE, "new factory" (c.1907-1926).
N°
MARK
COMMENT
7
 Marks SMF AUGUST WELLNER SNE, 'new factory' (c.1907 -1926)

Marks SMF AUGUST WELLNER SNE, 'new factory' (c.1907 -1926)

This extremely beautiful mark was used between c.1907 and 1910. Very rare. It possesses the inscription "SMF. AUG. WELLNER-SNE AUE i S", an abbreviation of "SÄCHSISCHE METALLWAREN FABRIK AUGUST WELLNER und SÖHNE, AUE in Sachsen" or "Saxony Metal Goods Factory August Wellner & Sons, Aue in Saxony". This inscription is in a ring which is put inside the square box with the Wellner dice in the centre with the pip combination 1-2-4.
The size of the square box varies from 9 mm x 9 mm to 12 mm x 12 mm. In the case of silverplated items, ordered by steamship companies, the mark contains the year of production. The diameter of the circle with the silver content data in the case of a double-digit number is 2.1 mm.
8
 Marks SMF AUGUST WELLNER SNE, 'new factory' (c.1907 -1926)

Marks SMF AUGUST WELLNER SNE, 'new factory' (c.1907 -1926)

Marks SMF AUGUST WELLNER SNE, 'new factory' (c.1907 -1926)

Marks SMF AUGUST WELLNER SNE, 'new factory' (c.1907 -1926)

Marks SMF AUGUST WELLNER SNE, 'new factory' (c.1907 -1926)

Marks SMF AUGUST WELLNER SNE, 'new factory' (c.1907 -1926)

Marks SMF AUGUST WELLNER SNE, 'new factory' (c.1907 -1926)

Marks SMF AUGUST WELLNER SNE, 'new factory' (c.1907 -1926)

Marks SMF AUGUST WELLNER SNE, 'new factory' (c.1907 -1926)

Marks SMF AUGUST WELLNER SNE, 'new factory' (c.1907 -1926)
This mark possesses the same inscription as the mark No.7, but with more details. This mark is found in many varieties.
a) Let us consider the first four photos related to 1910-1912. It is clear that two varieties of the mark were used simultaneously. The first variety (first two photos) and the second one (next two photos) differ by 1) more down-prolongated capital letters "M" and "F" in the first line of the inscription in the case of first two photos; 2) different writing of "i.S." in the third line of the inscription, without the slash (i.S.) in the case of first two photos and with the slash (i./S.) in the case of next two photos; 3) different pattern around the third line of the inscription.
b) In 1912, a new style was introduced (see the fifth photo). Now the first line of the inscription is made using both the capital and low-case letters, contrary to the previous four photos where this line is made only of the capital letters. In addition, the pattern around the third line of the inscription disappears.
c) In 1913 the amount of silver used for plating is given in the rectangle instead of the circle used before. The size of the rectangle is 1.5 mm x 2.6 mm.
d) In 1914, the style of year presentation changes, it is given now without the cartouche.
The length of the word "WELLNER" varies between 8.8 mm and 11.6 mm. The diameter of the circle with the silver content data in the case of a single-digit number is 1.9-2.1 mm, in the case of a double-digit number it is 2.1-2.5 mm.


9
 mark used for a short time around 1920

This mark was used for a short time around 1920. Contrary to the mark No.8, it has an additional inscription AktienGesellschaft, which means in English "joint-stock company". The length of the word "WELLNER" is 7.8 mm. The diameter of the circle with the silver content data in the case of a single-digit number is 1.4 mm. Extremely rare.
10






 Marks SMF AUGUST WELLNER SNE, 'new factory' (c.1920)
This mark was used for a short time around 1920. In comparison with the mark No.9, the first line of the previous inscription, "Sächs. Metallw. Fabrik", now disappears. In addition, two initials "A.-G.", which stand for "AktienGesellschaft", appear. The length of the word "WELLNER" is 10.5 mm. The diameter of the circle with the silver content data in the case of a double-digit number is 2.3 mm. Very rare.
11
 Marks SMF AUGUST WELLNER SNE, 'new factory' (c.1907 -1926)
In this, very common Wellner mark, the information about factory location disappears. The length of the word "WELLNER" varies between 5.9 mm and 7.6 mm. The diameter of the circle with the silver content data in the case of a single-digit number is 1.4-1.6 mm, in the case of a double-digit number it is 2.5 mm.
12
 Marks SMF AUGUST WELLNER SNE, 'new factory' (c.1925) This mark was derived especially for use on small items and was applied for a very short time around 1926.
Exceptionally rare! In this mark the first name of August Wellner disappears, and the remaining inscription is "WELLNER SÖHNE A.-G.", in English "Wellner & Sons joint-stock company". The length of the word "WELLNER" is 6 mm. The diameter of the circle with the silver content data in the case of a single-digit number is 1.7 mm.


Mark ORIGINAL WELLNER + "old factory" (1926-1927).
N°
MARK
COMMENT
13
 Mark ORIGINAL WELLNER + old factory (1926 - 1927)

Mark ORIGINAL WELLNER + old factory (1926 - 1927) 		In 1925-1927 August Wellner & Sons opened branches in Italy and Holland (S.A. Argenteria Italiana Wellner Firenze [2] and Wellner Zilver Fabrieken N.V. Amsterdam [3]). Besides, there was a rival Aue firm with a similar name, founded by the young brother of August Wellner, "GOTTLIEB WELLNER" or, shortly, "GOWE" [4]. Therefore, to underline the supremacy of August Wellner & Sons foundry, in 1926-1927 the transfer to a new company name "ORIGINAL WELLNER", which could be translated as Real Wellner, was made. Together with the issuing items with the new mark, all old not-sold pieces with the previous marks were over-printed above (or from the side, if there was no free place above) by the inscription "ORIGINAL WELLNER" in a cartouche.

The mark No.13 is a combination of the above-mentioned mark No.6 with the additional inscription "ORIGINAL WELLNER", put from the side. The length of the word "WELLNER" in this additional inscription is 8.2 mm. The length of the same word "WELLNER" in the old part of the mark is 6.4 mm. The size of the circle for a double-digit number is 2.5 mm. The last two values agree well with a similar data for the mark No.6, given above. The mark No.13 is very rare, which means that in 1926-1927 the "old factory" practically stopped its operation.

Marks ORIGINAL WELLNER + "new factory" (1926 - 1927).

N°
MARK
COMMENT
14
Marks ORIGINAL WELLNER + 'new factory' (1926 - 1927

Marks ORIGINAL WELLNER + 'new factory' (1926 - 1927 		The mark No.14 is a combination of the above-mentioned mark No.10 with the additional inscription "ORIGINAL WELLNER", put from the side in a cartouche. The length of the word "WELLNER" in this additional inscription is 12.1 mm. The length of the same word "WELLNER" in the old part of the mark is 9.4 mm, which agrees well with a similar data for the mark No.10, given above. The size of the circle with the silver content for a single-digit
15
Marks ORIGINAL WELLNER + 'new factory' (1926 - 1927

Marks ORIGINAL WELLNER + 'new factory' (1926 - 1927

Marks ORIGINAL WELLNER + 'new factory' (1926 - 1927 		The mark No.15 is a combination of the above-mentioned mark No.11 with the additional inscription "ORIGINAL WELLNER", given in a cartouche. The mean value for the length of the word "WELLNER" in this additional inscription is 8 mm. The mean value for the length of the same word "WELLNER" in the old part of the mark is 6.7 mm The size of the circle with the silver content for a single-digit number is 1.6 mm, for a double-digit number it is 2.4 mm. Last three values agree well with the similar datas for the mark No.11, given above.
16
Marks ORIGINAL WELLNER + 'new factory' (1926 - 1927 The mark No.16 is a combination of the above-mentioned mark No.12 with the additional inscription "ORIGINAL WELLNER", given in a cartouche. The mean value for the length of the word "WELLNER" in this additional inscription is 6.6 mm. The mean value for the length of the same word "WELLNER" in the old part of the mark is 6.4 mm The size of the circle with the silver content for a single-digit number is 1.7 mm. Last two values agree well with the similar data for the mark No.12, given above.

Marks ORIGINAL WELLNER (1927-1934).

N°
MARK
COMMENT
17
Mark ORIGINAL WELLNER (1927-1944)

Mark ORIGINAL WELLNER (1927-1944)

Mark ORIGINAL WELLNER (1927-1944) 		A main mark for this period contains the inscription "ORIGINAL WELLNER" in a cartouche. The length of the word "WELLNER" varies between 6 and 12 mm. Sometimes this mark contains the year of production (for items ordered by steamship companies) or the original silver content marking without a circle given in grams (GR).
18
Mark ORIGINAL WELLNER (80 year anniversary of Wellner manufacture: 1934)

A jubilee mark used in 1934 (80 year anniversary of Wellner manufacture). The diameter of the circle with a round inscription "ORIGINAL WELLNER" is 14.5 mm. Inside the circle is the image of three elves bearing a knife, fork and spoon. Below in two rectangular boxes the following inscriptions:
"Schwerversilbertes Alpacca" (Hard silver-plated Alpaca) and "Muster Ges. (Gesetzlich) geschützt" (Registered trade mark).
19
Mark ORIGINAL WELLNER (after 1934) This mark was used after 1934. The inscription below "Alpacca schwerversilbert" means "Hard silverplated Alpaca".

Marks WELLNER (1935-1944)
N°
MARK
COMMENT
20
 
 The main mark of the Amsterdam branch of Wellner factory
The main mark of the Amsterdam branch of Wellner factory
The main mark of the Amsterdam branch of Wellner factory
The main mark of the Amsterdam branch of Wellner factory 		The next mark of Wellner factory in Aue consists of the one-word inscription "WELLNER". The length of the word "WELLNER" varies in the range 8.2-11.5 mm. The size of the circle in the case of a single-digit number is 1.5-1.6 mm, in the case of a double-digit number it is about 2.4 mm. In rare cases the silver content is given in grams (gr) without a circle.
 
21
 
 mark with an additional inscription 'Alpacca versilbert' This mark possesses an additional inscription "Alpacca versilbert", that means "Silver-plated Alpaca". Very rare.
 
22
 
 mark used after 1934 with an additional inscription 'Alpacca schwerversilbert' This mark was used after 1934. It possesses an additional inscription "Alpacca schwerversilbert", that means "Hard silver-plated Alpaca".
 

Marks ABS (1958-1992).

N°
MARK
COMMENT
23
Marks ABS (1958-1992) Marks ABS (1958-1992) This mark consists of the abbreviation "ABS" which means "AUER BESTECK UND SILBERWARENWERKE" or Aue Cutlery and Silver Items Company. The length of the "ABS" inscription is 4.5-5.5 mm.

I am grateful to Ms. Danielle Morizot for careful reading of my manuscript. My email address is niko@phys.ucc.ie. Any comments, questions or letters with an additional information are very welcome. However, please do not send any requests for valuation and/or expertise, such letters will be ignored.

LITERATURE

[1] David N. Nikogosyan, August Wellner & Sons., Silver Plating Foundry in Aue, Saxony

[2] David N. Nikogosyan, Marks of European Silver Plate: V. Krupp & Wellner, Italy

[3] David N. Nikogosyan, Marks of European Silver Plate: XI. Wellner, Holland. http://www.ascasonline.org/windowMAGGI96.html

[4] Glückauf! Zeitschrift des Erzgebirgsvereins, vol.45, No.3, pp.43-66, 1925 (in German). English translation of the title: Glückauf! Journal of Ore Mountains Association.

Dr. David N. Nikogosyan
- 2012 -


History of August Wellner & Sons, Silver Plating Foundry in Aue, Saxony




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