Seaside Art Gallery Newsletter
What is Sheffield Silver ?June 2010
In This Issue
What is Sheffield Silver?
Miniature Sculpture
Father's Day
Join Us for Wine & Cheese
Jolly Old Sheffield 
 
Two by Shore
 
Did you know that there's a "silver" out there that isn't really silver, but is as good as gold to some collectors? 

It's Sheffield silver - or more precisely Sheffield plate - a "technological revolution" in its day. 

Old Sheffield Plate was invented in a small town in jolly Old England as a substitute for sterling.  You can find it in shapes and styles that were almost identical to the sterling pieces of the same period.  

Sheffield "silver" isn't rotten to the core - but it isn't silver to the core, either. 

The Sheffield plate process takes very thin sheets of silver and hand-solders them over a core of copper.  It's the age and rarity and beauty of Sheffield pieces that make them valuable collectibles despite this "core issue." 

Old Sheffield Plate was served up in 1750 and popular for sixty to seventy years until a shocking discovery was made. 

Electroplating! 

When American silver "smartie" William Rogers discovered electroplating, an electrical process that could lay on microscopically-thin layers of silver cheaper and faster, Sheffield lost his sheen. 

Electroplate was faster and cheaper - but not better.  

Similar to sterling silver, Sheffield plate is known for its pleasing, warm color.  There is a pride of craftsmanship in the creation of Sheffield.  It requires artistry, patience, and the human touch 

In short, Sheffield is a philosophy while electroplate is just a process. 

So remember:  Sheffield may not be sterling silver, but it's definitely a 'golden' collectible.  And valuable, too!
 
Article is from "Betcha Didn't Know That!" Vol 1 by Leon Castner & Brian Kathenes, www.ValueThisRadio.com
 
Illustrated is a sterling silver bowl by Tiffany
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Greetings!
 
Warm breezes are here and school is almost over. New works of art, antiques and estate jewelry are arriving every week. 
 
The 19th International Miniature Art Show has been well received. It ends on June 5th, so don't miss your last chance to add any of these little jewels to your collection. 
Miniature Art Winners!

"Wings of Light" by Susan Brooke
Sculpture

Congratulations to our winners in the 19th International Miniature Art Show!
1st Place: Susan Brooke - "Wings of Light"
2nd Place: Judy MInor - "G'Dae"
3rd Place: Steven Thor Johannseon - "Apple Blossoms & Bee"
Best in....
Watercolor: Dean Mitchell - "Buffalo Soldier"
Oil / Acrylic: Gail MacArgle - "Day Break"
Graphic (etching, etc) : Neta Dor Lemelshtrich - "Looking Back"
Drawing: Mary Jansen - "On Watch"
Sculpture (metal): Joy Beckner - "Sunnyside Up"
Sculpture (other): Sharon Shaughnessy - "Once Upon a Blue Moon"
Mixed Media: Vee Plunket - "Wait for Da' Bus"
People's Choice Award: Glenn Leung - "An Outing in Spring"
 
Father's Day
Fred Flintstone by Hanna Barbera Studios
 
fred
June 20th is the special day set aside to honor Fathers. Thank you to all Fathers for supporting the dreams of their children.
 
Fatherhood is pretending the present you love most is soap-on-a-rope.
Bill Cosby 
 
One of Saturday morning's favorite Dads, Fred Flintstone. 
Wine & Cheese Wednesdays

Heaven by Gail MacArgel
Heaven

The beach season has officially started & that means that we are now on our summer hours of 10-6 Mon - Sat. On Wednesdays, our hours are extended to 9pm and we serve wine & cheese between 6-9. We hope that you will join us!
 
You can see art by this artist at MacArgel 

Still - in a way - nobody sees a flower - really - it is so small - we haven't time - and to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time.

Georgia O'Keeffe
We look forward to hearing from you,
 
Melanie & Everyone at Seaside Art Gallery