Designer British Silver

John Andrew began collecting from a young age and has formed and dispersed numerous collections ranging from coins to Fabergé. Since 1971 silver has been a constant, though from 1985 his interest in post war British designer silver steadily grew. He is the Curator of The Pearson Silver Collection, an Associate of the Goldsmiths' Company and a Liveryman of the Arts Scholars. He is a member of the Fabergé Heritage Council and has published widely on a range of subjects. Derek Styles, with his wife Patsy and son George, run Styles Silver in Hungerford where they started their business in 1974. To start with they only sold antique silver but gradually worked their way through Arts and Crafts and became more fascinated with modern design. Not always able to identify the maker Derek began researching this period and feels the quality of design and craftsmanship since 1945 to be very underrated. He has had a biography of jazz musician Makanda Ken McIntyre published in America.

• Contents: Acknowledgements; Abbreviations; Foreword; Introduction; The Work and Lives of the Leading Designer-Silversmiths; Listing of Designers, Craftsmen, Silver Manufacturers and Engravers; Where to see Designer British Silver; Glossary; Bibliography; Index.

The "Queen of Metals," as it's sometimes referred to by collectors, is completely examined by John Andrew and Derek Styles in their must-have reference "Designer British Silver: From Studios Established 1930-1985". The book displays breathtakingly beautiful artifacts. And it comes in a handsome Moroccan red slipcase. -- Steven Wayne Yvaska, The Seasoned Collector Mercury News.com, December 10, 2015