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Francis I Sterling Tea Set by Reed & Barton, original owner, mint, superb!

$ 9596.4

Availability: 100 in stock
  • Condition: We purchased set 1979; used maybe twice. Stored in sealed silver bags with 3M strips. Condition of each piece is mint; no nicks, no dents, no scratches. Photos posted here show superb condition of each piece, with all hinges working. Stored inside vault, smoke free, AC homes.
  • Age: 1979
  • Brand: Reed & Barton
  • Pattern: Francis I
  • Composition: Sterling Silver
  • All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted

    Description

    Hello.  My wife and I are original buyers of this Reed & Barton Francis I sterling silver tea set. We purchased this from a jewelry store on Park Avenue in Winter Park, Florida--just outside Orlando area in 1979.   We think the Francis I pattern and workmanship are just outstanding, and this set makes a great impression when displayed anywhere.
    The five pieces shown are all sterling silver, with the 571A on the coffee pot, and 570A on the four other pieces.  The tray is silver plate and comes with the name King Francis and was meant to go along with the Francis I pattern.  Tray has been used once and has been stored under saran wrap, 3M silver strips, and it's in superb condition per photos posted here.
    Each of the five sterling pieces is in mint condition:  no dings, no unworking hinges, no dents. Each has been carefully used like twice, and about every 2 years we have used silver liquid cleaner on the pieces, along with the polishing mitts.  Each piece has been stored inside the blue cloth silver bags, with the 3M paper strips to absorb any air impurities.  Set is stored inside vault with temp and humidity controls.
    Sometimes when you make a major purchase, you discover there are a few problems or faults with what you've bought.  I assure you that there are no bad surprises here.  Set looks today like it did in 1979.  And please see that on ebay I have some 600 transactions with 100% positive feedback so you can trust me as the seller.
    Also important, there was never any monogram put onto any of the sterling pieces.  Also know that each piece has the sterling hallmark on the underside; the King Francis I tray is hallmarked King Francis showing that it's silver plate and compatible with Francis I.  Again, no monogram on tray.
    I've taken numerous photos of each piece, and the sterling stamp under each of the five items.  If you would like more photos on any particular item, I can provide.
    For you the buyer if you want exact dimensions, just check other listings for Francis I tea sets. Total weight of this set is about 159.8 ounces of sterling silver at 92.5% purity.  If you are searching just for silver bullion, I recommend you consider Englehard bars.  This set is just too outstanding to be considered for melt value.
    As you probably know, Reed & Barton no longer makes this set, and company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Feb 2015.  They were acquired by The Lenox Company.   The collectibility of original R&B sets should escalate over time.
    Bidding rules:  Pay Pal is accepted means of payment.  Shipping will be Fed Ex ground at cost of 0.00 which will allow for five sterling items in one box and the large tray will require separate box, and insurance will consumer most of this 0 shipping charge.  For international shipment, please use the Ebay Global Shipping program.
    In closing, this is one superb set from 1979.  You may find it interesting that original retail prices were as follows:  Coffee Pot 571A was ,000, Tea Pot 570A was ,000, Sugar 570A was ,100, Creamer 570A was ,800, Waste 570A was ,000, and the King Francis I large tray was 0.
    Set continues to be stored in vault and awaits the new owner.  Hope that is you!