I picked up all my sterling silver flatware on ebay. Little by little I purchased pieces and now I have an almost complete set for 8. My pattern is Louis XV by Whiting. Keep looking for complete sets and I am sure you will spend less than 10K!!! Try estate sales too.

Puriforcat is just about the highest end line around--that and Buccelatti, and antique Tiffany. While this set is wonderful, you can buy sterling for far, far less. I don't doubt that it would hold its value, but I wouldn't cash in the college fund to buy it, either.

Check out Replacements, Ltd.

Here is a link that might be useful: Replacements, LTd flatware sets

Thank you for the information. I had no idea that Puriforcat was very high end - I'd never heard of it before. How can I find out which are the better manufacturers?

I just spent too much time looking at all those flatware sets on Replacements! Their prices seem better than what I've seen on Ebay, but then I am not able to make a direct comparison (same pattern, same pieces, same condition).

I was certainly not considering buying anything so expensive! Most sets on Ebay seem to go for somewhere around $2k. And silverplate goes for far less.

Marisany, I have purchased a LOT of sterling flatware. I'm a collector and have also changed my pattern a time or two. I will be selling off some of it on ebay in the next year. I have found many bargains on ebay, but you have to watch the auctions for awhile to get a feel for price. You may get the best deal by buying a place setting at a time. If you want a lot at once, consider buying it by the place setting, but different auctions. You may come out better than buying a whole set.

Good luck, the search is half the fun!

Most American sterling is high quality. See if you can check out a book at the library about sterling flatware. Two that I like are "Sterling Flatware" by Tere Hagan and "American Sterling Silver Flatware" by Maryanne Dolan. You can see all the patterns that way. And by buying estate silver, you are not limited to patterns currently in production. Some of the older classic patterns are so lovely, especially after they had developed a patina. It is so hard to settle on one pattern! That's why I've become a collector.

Some of the more popular patterns, like Wallace Grande Baroque and Reed and Barton Francis will sell at a higher price because demand is high. Expect to pay an average of $25-30 per piece (or $100-120 for a 4 pc. place setting) on ebay for those patterns, perhaps more before the holidays. Another thing to watch for is whether the knives and forks are "place" or "dinner." There is quite a difference in price between the two, as dinner is larger and heavier, thus adding to the price.

Other patterns can be had for $60-80 each per place setting. So you should be able to get service for eight for less than a thousand, but no more than $1500. Of course serving pieces and soup spoons and the like will add to that amount. I have not checked prices on ebay for a few months, but I would think that prices have not increased all that much due to the economy. And keep in mind that prices may come down after the holidays. Right now people are adding a place setting or two for their Christmas table.

American sterling is marked "sterling" on the back of the handle. If a listing does not say it is marked sterling or does not show a pic of the marking on the back, beware. If it's not marked, it is nearly always silver plate. Some uneducated sellers may have picked up a set at an estate sale and think it is sterling (when it is actually plate) and list it as such without knowing the difference.

My experience has been that on average, you can find much better prices at ebay than Replacements. And as a rule, estate sales are higher yet, in my area. People tend to over-value it and ask $4000 for a set that could be had on Ebay for a third of that.

Good luck, the search is half the fun!

Oh, why not go for the Cristofle set for $25,000 while you're at it!

Shea's advice is excellent. I would say, go to your local department stores and jewelers and antique dealers who carry silver, and just look and look to educate yourself. Many dealers like to talk about their stock, and to educate people, and as long as you are not taking them away from people who are there to buy, they will probably help you learn about it.

Oh, and one other thing to think about if you buy pieces or place settings one at a time...some patterns come in luncheon and dinner sizes, so you want to know which you are buying. The dinner sizes are bigger.

I have a lot of silver, too, mostly from several generations of family, and I love the patina of age. I always mix them up at my table, partly out of necessity (eight spoons from here, nine forks from there...and so on!), but also because I like the look. If you choose patterns that are not too ornate, and that are similar in general weight and shape, a mixed-up table can look really good. In any case, I think it looks better to have your incidental and serving pieces from different patterns. You can often find single pieces like that at small dealers and consignment stores for not a lot of money. Just remember to check the hallmarks or "sterling" stamp on the back.

Thank you so much, shea, for the information! This is very helpful. It hadn't occurred to me that buying by the place setting, or the piece, might be less expensive. I'd assumed that a set would be less. I will have to get a feel for this. And I will have to select a pattern that is common enough to be available on Ebay.

I think that my taste (not ornate) will lead me to the somewhat less expensive patterns. I also like the look of the old (used) pieces. Thank you for the tips on looking for the "sterling" label.

bronwynsmom, I did click on those $$$$ Christofle sets! I will watch for the luncheon vs dinner thing - I was vaguely aware that there were different sizes available. I also agree that a mixed-up table looks nice, and I may go that route. I will definitely keep an eye open for different serving pieces.

I have absolutely fallen in love with the Puiforcat silver! Tell me, is this a thing of beauty or what?

http://cgi.ebay.com/PUIFORCAT-Antique-French-Sterling-Silver-Flatware-24-PS_W0QQitemZ360104002329QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAntiques_Silver?hash=item360104002329&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

And this is even better:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ANTIQUE-FRENCH-STERLING-SILVER-FLATWARE-18pc-PUIFORCAT_W0QQitemZ300280150116QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAntiques_Silver?hash=item300280150116&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

Arghh! I should never have looked...

I suggest buying sterling even if you have to buy a piece or two at a time. It is far more durable than plate. I've use mine nearly every day for more than 35 years and it has held up well. You seldom have to polish pieces that you use all of the time. You can't put them in the dishwasher, but I hate dishwashers so that's not a problem for me.

My pattern is Chateau Rose by Alvin. It has been discontinued for years, but I've always been able to find additional pieces. It's not expensive either - about $150 for a 5-piece setting in the place size.

Another piece of trivia: American sterling is has ornamentation on the front of the fork because we set the table with the tines facing the ceiling. On European silver the ornamentation will be on the back of the fork because the tines face the table in Europe.

Yogacat. . .and I thought I was the only one!! I inherited my Mom's sterling. . . Alvin's Chateau Rose. She purchased service for 8 in the late 40's on a trip to LA (we lived in the Panhandle of Texas) at a "private jeweler" my Uncle had access to. She and I have added various pieces over the years. Although I don't use it everyday, the occasions I do use it are such fun. . .and bring back many, many memories of home.

pick a pattern you LOVE and collect from there. . .

Take heed of what people say about not needing to spend an arm and a leg. Silver prices vary. My grandmother's 1909 silver was valued in the early 80s for insurance purposes at 80,000. I freaked; I was nervous; I insured it, blah, blah, blah. I don't any more. A few weeks ago I saw on-line that a whole set of it just went at an estate sale for 600.00. Ditto my husband's family's flatware. Very sentimental -- I've just finished polishing it this week to give to my daughter so silver flatware is on my mind. A reputable auction house valued this set at about 10.00 a piece--way less than I would have thought this quite heavy English silver was worth. Yes, there is Grand Baroque and Christofle (and Jensen, I would add) but there are also many many well-priced choices out there.

After you have figured out the pattern you want to collect, check out local auctions, estate sales and flea markets, in addition to ebay. And don't forget Craigslist and your local classified ads.

btw, while on a trip to NC this fall, we went to the Replacements, Ltd., warehouse/showroom. It was fabulous! If any of you are ever in the area, make plans to stop there. Even DH was amazed at all of the beautiful things.

Yogacat, that is not bad at all ($150/place setting). And I will eliminate the idea of buying silverplate. Now I have to figure out a reasonably priced pattern and start collecting, or decide to mix various compatible pieces.

I'd love to find an estate sale with a set of silver for $600! That would not happen around here (Westchester Co, NY). Estate sales are horribly overpriced. But I will check Craigslist and look for local auctions; thanks for the suggestions!