Thankyou for viewing this set of six silver handled tea knives, complete with their original case.  The handle of each knife is made from silver and is fully hallmarked bearing the crown mark (the then town mark for the Sheffield assay office), the lion passant (the standard mark for sterling silver), the date letter "n" for 1905 and the maker's initials "R.P" for Robert Pringle & Sons silversmiths.  Each knife measures approximately 7 inches long and all have been used, hence the patina found on the handles (in the form of some minor bruising to the silver but thankfully no splits) and some some very minor areas of pitting to two of the plated blades.  There is a gap between the blade and the handle on one of the knives (please see fourth 'photo) and another smaller gap on two others, but a skilled hand could put this right.  The box is in fully functional condition with the hinges and catch working perfectly though the outside of it is somewhat scuffed around the edges; however, the satin and velvet lining inside is in good condition with no hard wear nor tears to the fabric.  Fine pieces indeed to add to your collection!

Happy bidding!

All items I sell are now dispatched via a trackable postage service; this protects both you (the buyer) and me (the seller).  Either Royal Mail First Class Recorded Delivery or Next Day Special Delivery will be the service used for items being dispatched to locations within the UK (depending upon the size and weight of the package/value of the merchandise).  For packages up to the weight of 2kgs being dispatched to locations outside the UK, the postal service will be Royal Mail Airsure or International Signed For (depending upon the destination country).  This includes insurance up to the value of £32stg.  For packages over 2kgs in weight (or those that are physically too large to be sent via Royal Mail) Parcelforce Worldwide will be the carrier.  Please see www.royalmail.co.uk or www.parcelforce.com for full details of costs and size/weight allowances.  Postage and packaging costs include the actual rate of postage, packaging materials (such as bubble wrap, jiffy bags, "fragile - with care" labels and parcel tape) and the fuel costs incurred by transporting your item to the post office for dispatch (some customers forget that these things aren't cheap!)  In an effort to keep postage costs charged to customers to a minimum, I recycle packaging materials where and when possible (for instance, using cardboard boxes obtained free from a local supermarket and cushioning/filling out excess space in boxes with recycled paper or plastic carrier bags - this also helps to protect our precious global environment!)  Of course, I am always happy to combine postage for multiple purchases wherever it is possible.  Rest assured that I do not profiteer by creating excessive hidden postal charges - you just pay for what is necessary!  Additional postal insurance is available upon request.

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NOW FOR THE BORING BIT...

* If an item has a reserve amount placed upon it, please do not ask me to disclose it; to do so places some bidders at an unfair advantage over others and spoils the fun of an auction.

* All items are offered for sale on auction format only; please do not ask for a "Buy It Now" option, as refusal often offends.

* Postage costs are clearly outlined in the listing, except in the case of items over 2kgs in weight being shipped outside the UK.  As prices vary according to the destination country, bidders are asked to contact me for an accurate quotation before the auction closes.

* In the past I have had bidders try to haggle with me over starting prices and even asking me to pay the shipping on the item!  I DO NOT pay shipping and all starting prices reflect the condition and desirability of the item.  If you feel that the price isn't right for your budget, respectfully I would ask you not to bid.

* The process is simple; you bid, you win, you pay, I dispatch and everyone is happy.  Non-paying bidders cost sellers time and money.  All non-paying bidders will be subject to an Unpaid Item Dispute process which leads to an Unpaid Item Strike and possible suspension from eBay.

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