World Hallmarks (Vol. I - Europe, 19th to 21st Centuries) - William Whetstone

The most comprehensive book written on European gold, silver, platinum and palladium hallmarks to-date. Written in English, this book is a valuable resource for antique dealers, appraisers, collectors, and anyone dealing with European precious metals from the 19th to 21st centuries. Hallmarks are a result of, in most cases, a legal requirement to independently assay test and hallmark the results on precious metals before being offered for sale. While the United States does not have hallmarking regulations, nearly all European countries do. This book covers 2700+ individual European hallmark graphics, dozens of hallmark photos, numerous country specific informational charts, geographical locator maps, extensive pictorial cross-reference indexes, glossary of hallmarking terms, a guide to identifying hallmarks, and much more. This well laid out book is comprised of 40 dedicated European country and convention chapters covering the historical perspective of each region and the chronological evolution of that country's governmental precious metal hallmarking methodology through newly rendered graphic imagery and clear descriptions. Embossed hardcover with stitched spine to last years of page turning, this book with glossy dust jacket is printed and sealed in the USA. This book is a must for every collector's research library! As a complement to Volume I, World Hallmarks - Vol.II - Asia, Middle East, Africa covers the nearly all remaining hallmarking countries around the world and is currently available here in Amazon Books.