Hi James,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

This is a beautiful service, and it's lovely that it comes in its original box.

Frank Smith was trained as a silversmith by his uncle, William Durgin, part of a major New England silvermaking tradition. He founded his own business in 1886, producing sterling silver flatware. By 1892, his success led to the construction of a substantial factory in Gardner, Massachusetts.

The firm was one of the finest regarded American silver manufacturers of its day, producing both hand-crafted silver and machine-made flatware and hollowware. It introduced the "George VI" or "Richfield" pattern in 1912.

Silver as a commodity is at an all-time high price. Because I don't have the weight of the solid silver (knives and some serving pieces will have steel blades) I can't give you a precise melt-weight value but other Frank Smith flatware services in the Richfield/George VI pattern of similar size that have sold at auction in the last 5 years have sold for fair-market prices ranging from $7,000-9,000. Note that retailers such as Replacements will be asking a higher price for pieces they are selling.

Since you haven't provided a detailed list of the pieces included, I've done what I can from your photos but if I've gotten this tally incorrect in any way, please let me know and I'll correct this appraisal within 24 hours of hearing from you.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

A vintage 163-piece Frank Smith sterling silver flatware service for 12
In the "George VI" or "Richfield" pattern, after 1912, monogrammed "F", comprising:
12 dinner knives
12 luncheon knives
12 dinner forks
12 luncheon or salad forks
12 table spoons
24 soup spoons
24 tea spoons
12 butter spreaders
12 seafood forks
12 ice cream forks
3 slices (various sizes)
9 spoons/ladles/scoops
1 serving fork
2 carving forks
2 carving knives
1 carving stone
In its original oak presentation case with silk-lined drawers, the lid bearing a brass plaque engraved "Mrs Robert Forrester From Her Husband, June 8, 1903" and marked "Boyd Park Salt Lake City" underneath.
CONDITION: this appears to be in very good condition.
PROVENANCE: Owned by Robert Forrest, Utah
$7,000-9,000*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia