Topic: ID maker of RD 533829

[Keencollector]

I have a metal EPNS dish with a lightly frosted glass liner which doesn't seem to have any markings.  I guess it may be a soap dish.  Metal dish has underneath -

     EPNS
    - - - & -
Rd 533829

Does any member have access to details of who registered this number.  I haven't included a photo as yet as it is difficult to show clearly.  I suspect it may be an importer.  Thanks if you can assist with any details.

[Paul S.]

If I have this correctly, 1908 starts with 518640, and 1909 with 535170..........so your number looks to be perhaps around the middle of 1908, although beyond that I'm unable to say to whom it was Registered..............possibly someone else will know.
The above information is from .....   http://www.925-1000.com/    ......          and if you go to Resources and then to Registry you'll see the date listings for Rd. Nos., which are scheduled under CLASS 1 (metal), as opposed to CLASS III for glass.

It's possible you might get a better response to this enquiry under the 'collectible site' - but I've forgotten the link details.

[Keencollector]

Sorry for the delay in thanking you for that link Paul S.  It is an interesting site which I will save for future referrence.

[Paul S.]

As you can see from the attached data from the Representations book at Kew, this was Registered as Class 1 (metal), so assume the first picture below (which would have accompied the original 1908 request) is showing the metal part of the Registration only, and not the glass liner  -  there wasn't any caption with the picture.             Prototypes - made initially to simply represent the shape or design of a finished article, were often made of a material other than that which the retailed piece would be constructed from, and in this instance we may be looking at a base metal representing the EPNS frame.
It's possible that your glass liner may well have fitted into/onto this EPNS base.              Looks as though it might be possibly some sort of sauce/salt/condiment/jam container for the table  -  I'd have thought unlikely to be for soap.

In order to clarify this, you will need to post a picture - even if not of high quality  -  interesting to see that not all three sections of the container are identical in design, which may confirm the idea of this being for condiments - but not sure  -  what do others think.
The other picture is from the Register and shows details of the Registrant i.e. the name to whom 533829 was allocated - trust details are legible, but if unclear it reads.............'The firm trading as W. J. Anthony, 7 Unett Street, St. Georges, Birmingham.         Stampers and Pierces.', so they bought the glass from elswhere, which was quite common I think.
Date of Registration was 5th December 1908, and doesn't appear to have been extended.

So - Waiting for your picture.

[Keencollector]

So sorry Paul and all.  Completely missed adding a photo.  Many thanks for above information and registration details.    Margaret.

[Paul S.]

Hi Margaret, thanks for the picture

I was surprised to see the shape now showing in your pricture - I was expecting to see a trefoil shaped thingy matching the outline of the shape in the original drawing submitted to the National Archives.
It looks, from your photo, as if there is a curved handle which might assist when holding the item - although my opinion is still that this is not a holder for soap.
I seem to recall that most small containers for table use  -  that might contain sauces, salts, sugar and jams - had glass liners of some description, which helps to avoid direct contact between food and EPNS etc., in view of mild corrosives contained within some products. 

Anyway, nice period piece to own.

[Keencollector]

Additional photo's of base and glass insert.