China | Crystal | Silver | Collectibles

If you are not sure of the manufacturer and pattern name of your china, the first place to start is by looking at the back of a dinner plate in your pattern, where in many cases (but not all) the maker stamped identifying information about your pattern.

If you don’t see this information on your dinner plate, or it is incomplete, no problem, we can help you identify your china, crystal, silver, and collectibles patterns! To ensure the safety of your pieces, and to ensure the fastest processing of your ID request, please send only images (no actual pieces please, see imaging guidelines below) of the pattern(s) you would like identified. Where possible, the best pieces to image for identification purposes are the dinner plate (front and back) in china, the stemmed water goblet in crystal, and the fork (front and back) in silver. Please include any backstamp information as well (per the diagram). Not including backstamp information in your images may delay a response. If you do not have the piece type indicated, you can use another piece, but please clearly indicate to us the piece you used. Be sure to note the size of the piece(s) for which you send us images.

Please note that requests without a name and mailing address will take longer to process.

Preparing images for identification is easy!  You can send images to us for identification in the following formats –

Digital Image – For fastest response, use a digital camera or scanner to image the front and back of each piece you wish identified.  Please save your images in .jpg format, and size them at no larger than 100kb, if possible.  Then e-mail the images directly to us at research@replacements.com.

Standard Photography – Submit a high-quality color photograph of the front and back of each piece you wish identified.  Send those photographs to us via U.S. Mail at the address listed below.

Photocopy – That’s right, you can carefully place many pieces you’d like identified on a photocopier (black and white or color), and send those photocopies to via U.S. Mail at the address listed below.

Hand-drawn Sketch – If you cannot provide images in any of the formats above, try a hand-drawn sketch, and send the sketch to us via U.S. Mail at the address below.

For all of these image formats, please note these additional guidelines:  To help us help you as quickly as possible, do not image the saucer unless it is the only piece you have.  In the communication to us that accompanies your images, please indicate whether the plate is "rim" or "coupe" shape (see diagram). Include any notations about colors, markings, and any trim that appear on the edge of the plate. If there are markings on the back of the plate, make sure they are legible in the image or photocopy; if not, please draw a rough sketch and include any writing or numbers that appear on the back. If known, please indicate the approximate age.

Complete the steps above and submit the materials to us with your name, address and telephone number per below:

E-mail –		research@replacements.com  (please include your e-mail address, name and mailing address)
U.S. Mail –		Replacements, Ltd. Research Department PO Box 26029 Greensboro, NC 27420
FAX –		1-336-697-3100 (please include your FAX number, name and mailing address).

If your pattern can be identified, we will automatically put your name in our records for that pattern. We will also send you a complete listing of the available pieces in your pattern along with their prices. If your pattern cannot be identified, we will notify you by mail. Please allow our staff two to three weeks to answer your request.

One way Replacements is able to locate hard-to-find patterns is by publishing books illustrating patterns for our suppliers, antique dealers, etc., to find for us. If we want to include your pattern in one of our books, we may need to ask for a professional quality photograph at a later date.

We look forward to the opportunity of serving you in the future!

Identification, Image Usage and Licensing

Replacements, Ltd. gladly makes available to customers and suppliers a service by which product may be identified, free of charge. Additionally, Replacements, Ltd. will evaluate, free of charge, product it is offered for sale. We reserve the right to limit identification of multiple requests to our customers and suppliers. In either case, individuals who so request these services agree to the following terms and conditions related to pictorial images:

We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to photograph or otherwise produce a pictorial image of any item brought to Replacements, Ltd. for identification, inspection or possible sale. In such case, the owner of such piece shall not receive remuneration from, nor shall bear any cost associated with, such image production. Replacements, Ltd. shall own all right, title and interest in any such images it produces.

With regard to any pictorial images--of any type or description, including without limitation photographs, drawings and/or digital images--provided to Replacements, Ltd. for identification, the owner grants to Replacements solely a non-exclusive, worldwide, paid-up, royalty-free license to reproduce, prepare derivative works, distribute copies, and/or publicly display the image(s).

China | Crystal | Silver | Collectibles