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| Georgian Silver Wine Label Port - Thomas Robinson, Counterfeit Hallmarks, Transported to Australia
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Reference: S11562
Period: George III
Year: 1814
Silversmith: Thomas Robinson
Place: London
Price: $ 350.00
Weight: 10 grams
Dimensions: 5.4 cm
Condition: Excellent.
Description: An interesting Georgian silver wine label, engraved for PORT, with counterfeit hallmarks for London 1814, made by Thomas Robinson, who was convicted for selling counterfeit items in 1822 and transported to Australia in 1823, never to return. The label is rounded rectangular form, with a hob-nail cut border, a domed surmount which is engraved with a leaf and scrolls, incised for PORT. The label has 4 hallmarks, a very blurred duty mark, a slightly blurred lion passant, a very clear date letter T and a partial makers mark TR in oval punch, the T is clear but only the top of the R is visible. Two very similar labels, but engraved for Noyeau and Shrub, are depicted in the article "Mr Robinson's conviction for counterfeit marks", by Bruce Jones, Silver Society Journal 23, 2008, pages 107-110. This fascinating article shows 4 wine labels by Robinson, and compares genuine hallmarks of the period with those used by Robinson, leaving no doubt they are counterfeit. The article shows the same counterfeit date letter T hallmark, and points out that Robinson's marks are blurred and irregular. The article also explains that Thomas Leathwick Robinson was tried and convicted in September 1822 for selling bottle tickets with counterfeit hallmarks, after action by the Goldsmith's Company. Robinson pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of selling counterfeit goods and was sentenced to 14 years transportation, he avoided the charge of forgery which carried the death sentence. He arrived in Australia in 1823, he worked as a school teacher and church clerk, and received his certificate of freedom in 1836. His wife and 5 children joined him on a free passage in 1824, he died in Australia in 1864, and still has descendants in Australia today. Bruce Jones also discusses whether this Thomas Robinson could be the same Thomas Robinson I recorded by Grimwade (page 644, mark 2908), but the evidence is inconclusive. Note - We have a matching wine label, engraved MADEIRA, S 11561. Note 2 - A very similar wine label by Thomas Robinson 1818 can be seen on the Steppes Hill Farm website (https://www.steppeshillfarmantiques.com/antique-silver/d/rare-george-iii-silver-wine-label-cherry-bounce/271529), this label engraved with the rare name Cherry. Bounce, with a different style engraved leaf. It would be interesting to analyse if these marks are genuine or counterfeit.
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Georgian Silver Wine Label Port - Thomas Robinson
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Thomas Robinson, Counterfeit Hallmarks
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