How To Read A Hallmark
How To Read Silver Hallmarks: A Guide
Many people find themselves in possession of antique silver without any knowledge regarding how to identify the piece based on hallmarks.
Reading silver hallmarks is a skill that can tell you a lot about your silver item, including the purity, where it was assayed, in whose factory it was produced, and the year in which the item was assayed.
This helpful guide on how to read hallmarks will allow you to find out the basics regarding your silver items.
How do you read a silver hallmark?
Are you looking to read your silver hallmarks but don’t know where to start? At Mark Littler LTD we are experts in all things silver, and we can help you to read silver hallmarks and ascertain the origin of your silver. Read on to learn about how to decipher silver hallmarks.
Silver Valuation Contact Form
How To Read A Hallmark: The 5-Step Process
Whilst the evolution of silver hallmarks means that sometimes you will need help identifying specific marks and date ranges, this handy 5-step guide will help you to read and understand the basics of silver hallmarking. Read on to the end of the page for a more in-depth history of British hallmarking.
Step 1: Locate The Hallmarks
The first step in reading silver hallmarks is to locate the marks on your item. The location of the marks varies from item to item, but there are some general rules. For example, the hallmarks on silver flatware are usually located on the back of the piece, on a flat edge.
If the hallmark is unclear then you can breathe on it – like you would to produce condensation on a window, and the mark should become a little clearer.
The hallmarks here comprises (L;R) the makers mark, the lion passant, the London town mark, the London 1935 date letter, and the Jubilee mark. The Jubilee mark was used during 1934 and 1935 to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of George V. It is not a standard mark, but rather narrow the dates quite significantly to 1934 or 1935.
The lion passant guardant
The lion passant
Step 2: The Standard Mark
The standard mark identifies your item as being silver. The mark that indicates sterling silver is called the lion passant. Two variations of this mark have been used throughout history. The first was known as the lion passant guardant, with the lion’s head facing towards the viewer. The modern lion passant, with the lion’s head facing to the left, was introduced in 1822.
You may find that your item does not bear the lion passant, but rather the figure of Britannia, indicating that the item is of 95.83% purity.
Step 3: The Town Mark
Now that you know that your item is silver and the purity of your item, it is time to find out where the item was assayed.
Each assay office (where items are tested for purity and stamped as sterling if they meet the requirements) has its own distinct mark, known as the town mark. The town mark in this example is the leopard’s head mark for London.
You can look up the most common town marks here.
The London town mark
The Birmingham town mark
Step 4: The Date Letter
A common misconception is that the date letter tells us in which year the silver item was made. In fact, it tells us when the item was assayed. Date letters were also used to identify the Touch Warden responsible for the assaying.
Reading date letters requires a pocket hallmark guide, which you can purchase here. Alternatively, online guides are available to help you.
Different assay offices use different date letters, so it is important that you identify the town mark before the date letter.
In addition to this, the shapes of the shields and the style of the script varies from office to office and year to year, so these marks must be observed very carefully.
Step 5: The Maker’s Mark
The maker’s mark tells us in whose factory the item was made, as opposed to the specific person that made the item.
Since 1739 the standard composition of a maker’s mark has been the initials of the maker. Prior to this, the first two letters of the maker’s last name and sometimes objects or devices were used as maker’s marks.
This website is a great tool for cross-referencing maker’s marks. Once you have ascertained the year of hallmarking, it is much easier to find the maker’s mark, as you have some idea of the period in which the maker was operating.
Again, make sure you are looking closely. Something as small as a slightly slanted letter can mean the difference between one mark and another.
Some makers marks are stamped as cameos (raised above the background)
Some makers marks are stamped as intaglios (set into the background)
Sell Silver: Expert Valuations
For a free, no-obligation valuation of your silver simply use the form below. In order to provide you with an accurate valuation please provide as much of the below information as you can.
Silver Valuation Contact Form
HALLMARK FAQs
- What Are Silver Hallmarks?
Silver hallmarks are used to identify the origins of a piece of silver, as well as its purity. Silver hallmarks comprise four main elements: the town mark, the date letter, the maker’s mark, and the lion passant. During the period between 1784-1890 a duty was placed on gold and silver, leading to the introduction of the duty mark.
- What Do Silver Hallmarks Mean?
The appearance of the lion passant on an item of silver guarantees that the silver is at least 92.5% pure, which is the sterling standard. From 1697 to 1720 the standard was increased to 95.83% pure, also known as Britannia silver. A new mark, the figure of Britannia, was introduced to account for this.
- When Did Silver Hallmarks Start?
The first record of hallmarks used to regulate purity dates back to 1300, when Edward I decreed that the leopard’s head mark would guarantee sterling silver. Silver hallmarks have changed and evolved many times over the centuries, making some hallmarks difficult to place. However, this handy guide will help you.
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What Affects The Value Of Your Antique Silver?
Type Of Item
One of the main factors that affects the value of your antique silver is the type of object itself. By its nature most silver is utilitarian, meaning that the form of the items has a distinct purpose. Tea services, coffee pots, cutlery, candlesticks etc are all examples of items that were made for a specific purpose. While still commercial, these types of items are seldom collected in large numbers.
Smaller, collectable items such as vesta cases and card cases can be worth much more than larger items such as tea services simply because they can be collected in larger numbers with ease.
Designer
As with works of art, all pieces of silver are signed. Perhaps not by the craftsman that made them, but they all carry a maker’s mark as part of the hallmark. The maker’s mark will let you know which workshop produced the item.
Items by well know and sought after silversmiths and designers such as Paul Storr, Omar Ramsden, A.E. Jones, Charles Robert Ashbee etc will always command a premium.
You can use this website to find out the maker of your silver.
Condition
Clearly the condition of your antique silver will have an impact on the value.
Dents, bruises and splits are all obvious forms of damage that will impact the value.
Quite often on antique silver you may find that a coat of arms has been removed which can be hard to spot but will also have a big impact on the value. Likewise, a canteen of silver may have had its owners initials engraved onto each piece. This can also have a negative impact on the value in some instances.
Age
We have been applying hallmarks to silver since the 14th century and as such they are the oldest form of consumer protection in the world.
As silver has always been a good ‘store’ of wealth, there are many moments in history where large volumes of antique silver has been melted to fund wars. As such very little silver remains from the pre-Restoration era (1660). Most antique silver dates from the 18th and 19th century as this is when silver began to be made in much higher volumes.
In many cases, the older the item, the higher the value.
Silver or Plate
To put it bluntly, sterling silver items were made for the middle and upper classes. Silver plate was an invention aimed at making ‘silver’ style items available to the masses.
If you see the letters EPNS or A1 on your item then it is silver plated. Your item will need to be hallmarked and carry very specific marks in order to be legally called silver.
As silver plate was made for the mass market many items of silver plate do not have any value.
As such you might be best hanging onto your silver plate for a while longer.
Weight
The weight of your item will help us to understand the quality of your silver. But how?
Silversmiths like Paul Storr produced many items to the same design, but depending on the wealth of their client they would adjust the amount of silver that they would use for the commission.
As such a tea pot may be 500g or it might be 1,300g. Without being able to handle your items in person, providing the weight will give us a very good idea of the gauge of the silver used and thus we will be able to give you a very good idea of the value. As ever, the more information you can provide the better.
Silversmiths like Paul Storr produced many items to the same design, but depending on the wealth of their client they would adjust the amount of silver that they would use for the commission.
As such a tea pot may be 500g or it might be 1,300g. Without being able to handle your items in person, providing the weight will give us a very good idea of the gauge of the silver used and thus we will be able to give you a very good idea of the value. As ever, the more information you can provide the better.
Postage Service
We make getting your silver to us simple.
We have a fully insured postage service. We send you specialist packing materials and instructions together with a pre-paid returns label so that you can ship your silver back to us quickly and safely.
For large collections and very high-value items we also have a hand-courier service available.
jodie R.
08:16 29 Mar 23
I reached out to Beth and the team after looking at the good reviews wanting to sell some whiskey.From start to finish very professional great... customer service smooth sailing.They picked my bottles up and kept me up to date on everything.Bottles sold I received the funds 3 weeks later.Highly recommend these guys nothing was to much trouble and was always happy to answer any questionsThank youread more
Ben S.
08:27 28 Mar 23
I contacted Mark Littler to enquire about selling several bottles I had, they provided concise and accurate information around demand and pricing. I... was then able to make an informed decision and agreed to sell the bottle through them. Once agreed the process was straightforward and handled with skill and consideration by the whole team, I wouldn't hesitate to use Mark Littler again.read more
Ian F.
20:46 18 Mar 23
Great service from Mark and his team in selling my whisky cask. Each step of the process was explained and went very smoothly to achieve a good... result for me.Thanks again.read more
Johannes W.
11:49 10 Mar 23
I sold a cask via Mark and must say he is an absolute professional. From the start of the consultation to the closure of the deal and payments... everything was perfect. If you want to sell or buy a cask I would highly recommend Mark.read more
oharalivings
15:17 05 Mar 23
Hannah helped with the whole process - from initial consultation to the purchase. We never felt under any sales pressure and thought the advice was... very professional and balanced. In an area where there are many less than scrupulous operators there was the confidence that we were dealing with a company who prided themselves on their customer service and the quality of the product they deliveredFrom our positive experience we would recommend Mark Littler LTD and look forward to interacting with them in the future.read more
Minertom
14:13 22 Feb 23
Absolutely excellent service from beginning to end. Highly recommend trustworthy company that will walk you through every step. BrilliantJason (... Wales)read more
Tom F.
17:59 26 Jan 23
Those of you who buy and sell rare whisky may have heard the name Mark Littler, I hadn't and was somewhat nervous in completing an arms length... transaction with someone I'd never met.I was completely wrong. Mark invited me to his office (and what an impressive place) and we concluded a deal on the spot. His knowledge and expertise on the subject is astounding and I would have no hesitation in recommending his serveces to anyone.read more
Lizzie D.
02:13 25 Jan 23
100% impressed with Mark Littler LTD.Mark & his team have done a fantastic job for me. Friendly, helpful, informative & not to forget profitable.I... could not have asked for anything better & would recommend this company to anyone. Great job, guys. Thank you so much for your quality service !!!!read more
Bob & Ann B.
11:39 23 Jan 23
I am delighted with the service given. I am not a collector but was given a bottle 30 years ago. I read how values have increased and found Mark... Littler. They were very knowledgeable and guided a total novice. Nothing was too much trouble and they kept me informed at every step. Excellent.read more
Jon R.
14:26 16 Jan 23
A smooth and transparent process. The sale of 6 bottles was handled by the very helpful staff (Beth and Danielle). Much better value for my bottles... than I was able to get through the well known retailers.read more
David H.
19:41 22 Dec 22
Following a recent death in the family Mark was fantastically helpful in assisting with the clearance and sale of items. The results were better than... anticipated and the salerooms that Mark selected for disposal did an excellent job.read more
Graham L.
11:35 14 Dec 22
Excellent service from the Team at Mark Littler. Kept me informed regularly of progress and no pressure to sell when offers made. Super efficient.... Thanks.read more
Sue M.
18:06 12 Dec 22
I found this company online and used them to value and sell some bottles of whisky. They provided excellent service from start to finish and I... couldn't be more pleased.read more
Richard L.
18:12 07 Dec 22
Mark Littler and his team were a pleasure to deal with as a whole from start to finish.All the concerns of going through such a transaction were... throughly addressed and assured, which provided a great deal of trust and confidence throughout the whole experience.I would have no hesitation in recommending Mark to anyone who wishes to conduct their affairs.Again, thank you Mark for all your efforts. Please continue with your professionalism.read more
David J.
13:10 16 Nov 22
I was looking to ship 4 paintings to England and have them sold there as LS Lowry is not well known where I live. Luckily I picked Mark Littler. I... worked with Hannah and she was fabulous. They found buyers before I even shipped the prints. Hannah got a price for each one which was the same as another company offered me for ALL 4. Enough said.read more
John G.
04:11 15 Nov 22
Just completed the sale of my cask through Mark Littler and with assistance from Hannah Thompson. A very efficient process which achieved my sale... expectations. Both provided a friendly and knowledgeable service and are highly recommendedread more
Nina B.
22:50 18 Oct 22
I highly recommend Mark and all his team. The service I have received from Mark with my recent transactions has been exemplary. He is professional,... knowledgable, kind, friendly and above all supportive and encouraging. He instills confidence and always goes “the extra mile”.Thank you Mark, you helped to make a personally emotional deal positive and memorable.read more
David Y.
20:15 07 Oct 22
Dealing with Beth at mark littlers was very easy. Everything done professionally and efficiently with a personal touch would recommend them to... anybody for handling sales of whisky .read more
Florence O.
15:26 09 Aug 22
A big thank you to Beth Squires for the service provided for the sale of my whiskey. From the first contact to payment it was all so seamless,... professional with communication all the way through. Highly recommended and would definitely use again. So thank you again to Beth and to Mark.read more
Jonathan R.
12:14 04 Aug 22
I would like to say that it was a highly professional and helpful service. Great communication from Mark, really helpful advice. I felt in control of... the selling process, and payment was super swift. I would definitely use again. Many thanks Mark and team.read more
A Google U.
14:41 29 Jul 22
In a word Excellent! I first discovered Mark on YouTube and contacted him to ask a couple of questions. His breath of knowledge on the subject is... considerable. I will definitely be in purchasing from his website over the coming years!read more
Trevor B.
20:14 15 Jul 22
First class service throughout! Made the process of selling my whiskies so easy. I highly recommend Mark Littler LTD and would not hesitate to their... services again. Many thanks!read more
Basia H.
18:49 14 Jul 22
Fantastic service! The sale of my 1965 18 year old Macallan was quick and smooth. Selling a high value product of this kind for the first time can be... a bit daunting, but Beth and Hannah were extremely helpful and professional. They maintained clear communication throughout the process, answered all my questions promptly and were very reassuring. Thank you!read more
Duncan L.
09:16 08 Jun 22
I was really impressed with the service from Mark Littler. They were very transparent about the different routes available for dealing with the two... bottles of whisky I was looking to sell, and were helpful when discussing the pros and cons of each, without being pushy. (They definitely seemed to be able to offer more options than most of the other dealers I contacted.) Sending off rare bottles of whisky in the post is a scary thing, but the delivery system was efficient and very secure, and the way the contract was handled was very reassuring. I would definitely use them again if I had any bottles to seek in future.read more
Dawn P.
14:12 07 Jun 22
From first talking to Mark about selling my barrel to recieving my money he has made the whole process seamless with regular updates and any... questions answered promptly he well deserves 5 stars and i will definitely be using his company againread more
David S.
15:25 26 May 22
Mark and the team were easy to deal with and made the sale of my Whisky really easy. Excellent service and would highly recommend. The YouTube video... was an unexpected bonus.read more
Mike K
11:26 19 May 22
I used Mark Littler to help me sell two casks of whiskey and was very happy with the service and outcome. Very friendly, professional and helpful... throughout the process and they achieved a what I believe was a very good price for me. Highly recommendedread more
Julie M.
08:41 23 Apr 22
Very happy with my experience of selling via Mark Littler. I was a little apprehensive about posting my £5k bottle from Scotland. It was all very... straight forward, the packaging arrived with very clear instructions. The contract was also clearly marked for signature. I was happy with the price offered and received my bank transfer in a timely manner. I was pleasantly impressed with the communication updates provided. I would definitely recommend. Thank youread more
Denis B.
13:04 05 Apr 22
With the daunting task of selling a 17-year old barrel of Bruichladdich Whisky, I turned to Mark Littler in Oct '21. He and his team professionally... led me through the process to successfully achieving a good sale and subsequent payment of proceeds - from another part of the world. I highly recommend Mark Littler and their whisky services!read more
Mark J.
13:22 05 Mar 22
Very happy with the service provided by Mark Littler Ltd. They kept me informed throughout the whole process of valuing and selling my bottle of 1961... Macallan Whisky. They obtained a good price for a private sale. The courier service that they provided was easy and quick to use. The sale went smoothly and payment was received directly into my bank account promptly.read more
Neil S.
15:53 12 Jan 22
Having looked at several whisky sellers, Mark Littler stood out and from the outset their knowledge, professional and great service was outstanding.... My transaction was handled very expertly and when ahead seamlessly and promptly, and their communication throughout was excellent and all made for a very happy experience. I would therefore not hesitate in recommending this lovely company.read more
Ed L.
10:49 09 Jan 22
Mark is a deep expert in rare and collectable whiskies, and a real pleasure to work with. I'd thoroughly recommend Mark to anyone looking to buy or... sell investment grade bottles.read more
Judith B.
23:27 07 Jan 22
I recently sold some silver cutlery through Mark Littler. The whole process was made very easy with good communication throughout from Hannah. I was... sceptical at first that it was worth making the effort to post the items etc. but glad I did. I achieved a good price and the sale was settled promptly and in a very professional way.read more
Janette P.
12:32 22 Dec 21
Great dealing with Hannah. Very helpful and responded quickly. Would use this company again would the need arise, and would recommend Thank you... for your help and efficient service.read more
Heather M.
21:23 07 Dec 21
Mark Littler recently sold a number of bottles of unusual whisky on our behalf, and provided an excellent service from start to finish. He is very... knowledgeable and efficient, and kept us informed in a friendly way at each step of the process. His help was invaluable, and we have no hesitation in recommending Mark and his company most highly for their outstanding level of service.read more
darren L.
17:19 06 Dec 21
Very professional service...would 100% recomend to anyone wanting a valuation or selling items.the process from start to finish was perfect.keep up... the good work..read more
Gilly W.
14:10 27 Nov 21
As I am in Scotland I thought I would send my silver to auction as the easiest way to sell it. However I was wrong. I received a better price than... the top estimate I received from my auction house, paid less commission, no hidden charges, payment received in much less time, didn't have to deal with a patronising valuer, didn't have to transport it to the auction just packed it up in packaging and label sent by Mark and took it to the post office. All together a professional hassle free service. Couldn't recommend more highlyread more
Fergus G.
11:34 18 Nov 21
I was unsure of the process of selling something on-line but I needn't have worried as Mark Littler made the whole thing effortless, quick and easy. ... They provided expert advice on the options available to me and at no time tried to convince me to take one particular offer. I would highly recommend Mark Littler to anyone wishing to sell or auction an item.read more
ROGER C.
14:03 11 Nov 21
Recently had to sell a limited edition signed print . Mark and his excellent staff were from the outset efficient and professional throughout. I... would have no hesitation in recommending Mark and his company and would certainly use them againread more
David L.
22:13 08 Nov 21
I have dealt with Mark Littler on several occasions to sell both Whisky and antiques what a pleasure. First class service. Thanks to Mark Hannah and... Beth for a very pleasant experience. Highly recommended.read more
AFR S.
19:28 03 Nov 21
After spending a good deal of time researching Businesses that perform the specific services offered by Mark Littler; I am happy to have selected... them. Beth was an absolute pleasure and true Professional from start to finish. Process was painless and communication was outstanding. If in the market, you can't go wrong with Mark Littler; Great service at a fair price.read more
Mairi M.
10:28 03 Nov 21
Went to Mark to source a specific bottle of whisky. Delighted with the outcome and the service. Professional, friendly and reliable guidance... throughout the process. Absolutely trustworthy. I would highly recommend this company.read more
Mick T
11:07 02 Nov 21
Having bought a cask of whisky back in 2004 we decided that this year was the year to sell it. I approached three different brokers and it wasn't a... hard decision to ask Mark to arrange the sale for us. It wasn't only that he said he could achieve the best price for the cask but his professional manor and clear level of knowledge.To sales process was relatively simple with excellent communication throughout. He assisted us with drawing several bottles prior to sale and the logistics of moving the cask.Overall a first class service and if you are wondering he achieved slightly more than the suggested sale price. This was over three times what the first broker offered and 50% more than the second.read more
Vlad M.
10:00 29 Oct 21
Mark Litter has literally found a buyer for a bottle of Karuizawa 34 yo that I had, it was such a quick and simple selling process. I highly... recommend him and waiting to do more business with him!read more
TIM S.
15:53 28 Oct 21
As a complete novice in the world of valuable whisky, I was very pleased with how straightforwardly the private sale of my bottle was handled. I was... kept informed at all stages and the whole process from my first enquiry to money in the bank took just three weeks. A pleasure doing business.read more
Ruth R.
12:04 25 Oct 21
Mark Littler has now sold several bottles for us personally and helped us sell many more through Whisky Auctioneer. It was so helpful to get advice... and practical help with packaging all of our whisky bottles which seemed initially quite daunting. His advice and service has been excellent, and we have been absolutely delighted to deal with Mark and Hannah. I would highly recommend their services to anyone.read more
Ruari T.
18:13 04 Oct 21
Mark was both patient and professional, initially advising and then successfully selling a whisky cask. He, and his staff, talked me through the... process, highlighting both opportunities and pitfalls, with simplicity and the minimum of jargon. Mark is extremely knowledgeable on both the distillery side and the market, evident with the excellent price achieved.read more
Jane L.
16:55 20 Sep 21
Outstanding service - fast, professional, clear communication. I have never entered into a transaction like this before but Mark Littler Ltd made... everything clear, the contract was transparent, payment arrived very quickly indeed. Altogether brilliant.read more
Terry S.
09:31 15 Sep 21
Very easy and efficient service and process, very professional. All questions answered and all went exactly as outlined. Could not not have asked for... more and would wholeheartedly recommend.read more
Paul A.
18:00 03 Sep 21
I have used Mark Littler Ltd for a number of whisky cask purchases. He runs a friendly, approachable and customer-focused company, and is always... ready to help with any issues or questions. He is a charming and professional broker, and understands the market and the needs of his customers. Above all, he listens and offers sound guidance which I always pay attention to .Absolutely brilliant company to do business with, will use again and again and have no hesitation in recommending Mark Littler Ltd. Outstanding,read more
David T.
08:00 17 Aug 21
Mark recently sold two casks of mature whisky on my behalf. The service that he provided from start to finish was exemplary. His care and customer... focus was faultless, explaining every step in the process and continually updating me on progress. I would have no hesitation in recommending Mark as the perfect person to deal with your sale.read more
Emma F.
22:32 05 Aug 21
All round, Mark and his team were fantastic - so helpful, efficient and professional - a no hassle transaction with great results; highly recommended.
Colin T.
12:27 05 Aug 21
The whole experience of using Mark Litler as my broker from start to finish with the sale of my Whiskey bottle was seamless and exactly what I... wanted. No issues, no dramas, just a wholly professional service. If your thinking about using Mark to sell your items I can highly recommend his company.read more
W M.
08:11 29 Jul 21
The whole transaction with Mark Littler was excellent. The service was efficient and professional throughout and it was a pleasure to do business... with his company. I can recommend this company without any hesitation.read more
Pål Andreas D.
08:07 15 Jul 21
We wanted to buy a private whisky cask. Mark was very helpful to get a good deal done and about a year ago we became proud owners of a cask of... whisky. Just received samples. Very excited and looking forward to see how the whisky matures.read more
ROGER H.
13:08 18 Jun 21
The process was handled from start to finish with efficiency and patience on Mark's part. All questions regarding the various steps involved were... answered clearly and concisely. Many thanks!!read more
jeff W.
18:32 17 Jun 21
First class service with customers wishes and requirements the most important factor, their service from signing of TC.To final sale was speedy and... conducted very professionally, would recommend Mark Littler Ltd and will definitely use them again in the future.read more
Tony M.
09:26 02 Jun 21
Excellent and timely service from the company. Beth was extremely helpful and prompt with replies to any questions. No hassle at any time. My first... time selling whisky bottles, will certainly use the company again. Fully trustworthy way to sell.read more
Celia C.
17:49 21 May 21
Outstanding professional service. Having never sold a cask of whisky before, Mark took us through the whole process, found a buyer at an excellent... price, and completed the sale with great care and professionalism. Excellent customer care and service. Highly recommend.read more
Helen G.
07:41 14 May 21
A very prompt and reliable service. Never thought selling a cask of whisky would be so easy. Any issues were speedily dealt with and Mark was always... available to get in touch with. I would certainly recommend Mark's services.read more
Robert N.
07:21 14 May 21
On deciding to sell my rare bottle of Macallan… I chose the option of selling through the Mark Littler online shop rather than through an auction, as... there was no hurry. The whole process was dealt with in a very professional way. Mark Littler and his staff kept me informed throughout the sale which was actually completed very quickly.I would not hesitate to use the company again and would highly recommend their services.read more
Mark W.
09:02 29 Apr 21
My wife bought me a hogshead of Bowmore for my 30th birthday. We’ve been happily paying warehouse rental for 25 years and decided we needed to look... into next steps. The warehouse wasn’t very helpful so I started to look on the internet for a whisky broker. There appeared to be a lot of choice but Marks credentials and website information stood out from the crowd. He immediately set me at ease and so I looked no further. I have enjoyed our interactions and have felt from the start that Mark had my best interests at heart with his professional approach, transparency and personal touch. He has kept me informed along the journey which has been an exciting one. As part of the service Mark facilitated the gauging, sampling and selling of the barrel and also coordinated for me to receive a few bottles of this amber nectar for my own consumption. To top it off he achieved a fabulous price. I would recommend Mark to anyone who is lucky enough to have whisky to sell. Many thanks for your service Mark!read more
Kim R.
10:15 09 Apr 21
We recently used Mark Littler to sell old Silver tankards and we could not be happier. Fast, friendly & professional service. They assisted through... the whole process and was very helpful every step of the way. They will definitely be hearing from us again. I would recommend Mark Littler to anyone, worldwideread more
Andrew A.
11:38 25 Mar 21
Found Mark via a Google search so was a little apprehensive as couldn't meet face to face. We had some silver flatware we wished to sell and he... handled the whole process very quickly and professionally. He achieved a price that was higher than other estimates received from others including well known auction houses. Would heartily recommend.read more
Malcolm W.
23:44 14 Mar 21
Mark recently sold a 26 year old cask of Ardbeg for me. He was vey thorough and professional and achieved an excellent price. His thoroughness was... very important to me as I have lived in Sydney, Australia for many years and I needed someone who I could trust with a high vale transaction from the other side of the world. Mark even took the time to personally collect some sample drawings from the distillery and ship to me. I heartily recommend Mark to anyone wishing to sell of buy a cask particularly if they are not resident in the UK.read more
Ian G.
13:45 05 Feb 21
Our family inherited a hogshead of whisky which needed to be sold. Having no knowledge of this market the internet revealed Mark Littler who proved... to be both knowledgeable and professional. The cask was tasted and sold within a matter of weeks under Mark's guidance which we greatly appreciate.read more
George D.
20:55 25 Jan 21
I found myself in a situation where I needed to sell a much treasured and fairly rare bottle. Mark and Hannah were both extremely helpful, completely... transparent, and fair in their valuation. They were a pleasure to deal with from start to finish, and made the process very easy and painless. I would recommend them to anyone in a similar position, and would definitely use them again in the future.read more
Charles M.
10:52 20 Jan 21
During the last 12 months I have been actively making tentative enquiries to sell my whisky collection, which I had been collecting for more than 20... years. During this time I had been in discussions with various very well known whisky retailers online, with a view to them purchasing the bottles from me or finding prospective buyers. After many phone calls, emails and conversations, I was left feeling very frustrated and bewildered at their lack of communication in general and commitment to providing me with a service. That was until I discovered Mark Littler through an oline post that had been sent to me from a family member, which highlighted a high profile sale Mark had recently been engaged in. I decided to contact Mark the following day and within hours he had come straight back to me and offered to work with me to sell my collection. This was quite astonishing given the lack of communication that I had received from others. From the outset Mark has always been professional, courteous and friendly, which has made my own experience of using Mark's services an absolute pleasure. His individual care and approach to everything he undertakes on your behalf in providing you with a service is nothing short of exemplary. In no time at all Mark has already sold a much sought after vertical in my collection and I am delighted with the outcome. I would not hesitate in recommending Mark to anyone attempting to sell their own collection.read more
phill C.
20:19 19 Jan 21
I got in touch with Mark having read one of his articles online. I was thinking of investing in a cask and had an offer from a company that shall... remain nameless. At this point I thought I should seek independent advice. Mark's professional and informative approach to my questions was excellent. He basically saved me from making a huge potential mistake investing with a company that were not throwing straight dice and trying to pitch sales based on false information. I may add that at this point Mark was not pitching any sale to myself, merely offering good, genuine and free advice.I later had the opportunity to use Mark as a consultant to invest in my first Cask. I have found him to be very professional, knowledgeable, courteous and friendly.I feel lucky to have sounded out Mark as a broker and hope to be using him again in the future. I can not recommend him and his team highly enough for their help and time!read more
Dean R.
15:16 29 Dec 20
Recently, I made enquiries with Mark about buying a whisky cask.He very promptly answered all my questions and gave me all the information I needed... to make an informed decision.He was thoroughly professional and there was never any pressure to buy, just support and step-by-step instructions.I am very pleased with the outcome of my cask investment and I look forward to working with Mark again in the future.read more
Stephen F.
13:05 22 Dec 20
Mark was thoroughly professional and efficient in helping my family get a great deal in buying some whisky casks.We received a very friendly, quick... and personable service with regular updates throughout the process.Highly recommended and greatly appreciated!read more
Stephen L.
12:58 01 Jun 22
Marks and Beth were superb during the sale of my whisky bottle. The communication was brilliant and their knowledge is also invaluable. Would 100%... recommend using mark little Ltd. Will be in touch again in the future. Thank you both again for your time.read more
Colin C.
10:23 07 Apr 22
Mark’s website is very easy to use. We found him informative, helpful and friendly. Selling was easy because of Mark and his staff. Would definitely... recommendread more
Denis B.
13:03 05 Apr 22
With the daunting task of selling a 17-year old barrel of Bruichladdich Whisky, I turned to Mark Littler in Oct '21. He and his team professionally... led me through the process to successfully achieving a good sale and subsequent payment of proceeds - from another part of the world. I highly recommend Mark Littler and their whisky services! David Brandjesread more
Jean H.
14:40 22 Feb 22
Absolutely fantastic service , dropped 4 bottles down to the shop , within 4 weeks two had been sold and the money in our account , no mither... whatsoever , we will certainly be selling through Mark with our remaining collectionread more
Sara M.
17:35 30 Nov 21
Very, very pleased with the company’s service selling my silverware. I had looked into selling it at auction but the suggested price and fees put me... off. It was so easy and very professional dealing with Mark Littler and I believe they got a very good price for me. Thoroughly recommend. Thank you, Hannah, for your help.read more
Annie R.
20:04 17 Nov 21
Exceptional & efficient service.
I highly recommend Mark Littler, who is extremely knowledgeable and went out of his way to help me sell some... artwork.read more
I highly recommend Mark Littler, who is extremely knowledgeable and went out of his way to help me sell some... artwork.read more
Dougie W.
10:30 12 Nov 21
They were very professional at every stage of the process and I would recommend them to anyone. I don't often give a five star marking but with Mark... I would, and I would certainly use them again.read more
Roger C.
13:43 11 Nov 21
I used Mark when I had a picture for sale, Mark was very efficient and professional. i would recommend him very highly and would not hesitate to use... him again.read more
Ruth R.
11:47 25 Oct 21
When we were unsure about how to go about selling part of our whisky collection, we looked online and found that Mark had some very good... reviews.
Well having now completed the process, I can say that Mark and his whole team are absolutely excellent. We were guided through different ways to sell different bottles. Help with packaging and transport is provided, and advice on bottle values was good.
They have now all been sold, and at very pleasing prices.
Highly recommended!read more
Well having now completed the process, I can say that Mark and his whole team are absolutely excellent. We were guided through different ways to sell different bottles. Help with packaging and transport is provided, and advice on bottle values was good.
They have now all been sold, and at very pleasing prices.
Highly recommended!read more
Dave E.
19:31 11 Aug 21
It’s great when you’re in unfamiliar territory, hoping to sell a cask of whisky, and there’s someone out there who leads you through the process in a... thoroughly professional way. Mark kept me informed throughout and successfully completed the deal. I’d recommend him to anyone wishing to sell.read more
Tony W.
09:22 17 May 21
We were looking to sell a cask of Bruichladdich which we had owned for 10 years, having read excellent 5 star reviews & watched a couple of YouTube... videos, we decided to contact Mark. From the outset Mark was friendly & professional, offering great advice which allowed us to make an informed decision, at all times Mark communicated clearly & answered any questions promptly. Mark achieved a great price for our cask, I would not hesitate to use his company again so I’m very happy to recommend him with a 5/5 review.read more
Stephanie W.
09:11 29 Apr 21
I bought my husband a hogshead of Bowmore for his 30th birthday. We’ve been happily paying warehouse rental for 25 years and decided we needed to... look into next steps. The warehouse wasn’t very helpful so we started to look on the internet for a whisky broker. There appeared to be a lot of choice but Marks credentials and website information stood out from the crowd. He immediately set us at ease and so we looked no further. We have enjoyed our interactions and have felt from the start that Mark had our best interests at heart with his professional approach, transparency and personal touch. He has kept us informed along the journey which has been an exciting one. As part of the service Mark facilitated the gauging, sampling and selling of the barrel and also coordinated for us to receive a few bottles of this amber nectar for our own consumption. To top it off he achieved a fabulous price. We would recommend Mark to anyone who is lucky enough to have whisky to sell. Many thanks for your service Mark!read more
Lorna H.
12:17 15 Jan 21
I highly recommend Mark Littler if you are looking for a trusted & reputable antiques consultant.
He completed a sale for me with his... professionalism & personal service & I will happily use him again. Thank you Mark & staff., for a five star service. Lorna Hickmanread more
He completed a sale for me with his... professionalism & personal service & I will happily use him again. Thank you Mark & staff., for a five star service. Lorna Hickmanread more
John E.
11:06 04 Jan 21
I approached Mark Littler about selling my bottle of whisky. I delivered the bottle to their office and was very impressed with their setup. A price... was agreed and the contract was signed. It took about 4 months but a buyer was found and I was kept informed of how the sale was progressing, then on Christmas Eve I received an email saying the sale had been completed and the money was in my account.
I highly recommend Mark Littler if you have any unusual bottles to sell, they are the people to sell it for you.read more
I highly recommend Mark Littler if you have any unusual bottles to sell, they are the people to sell it for you.read more
Sue O.
15:46 30 Nov 20
Having recently dealt with Mark Littler I cannot recommend his business highly enough.
Friendly professional service... throughout.
Excellent company.read more
Friendly professional service... throughout.
Excellent company.read more
Lee C.
22:39 12 Nov 20
I recently approached Mark Littler Ltd to value and sell a number of bottles of Whisky left to me by my late father.
Account Manager Hannah... Thompson completed the transaction faultlessly throughout. She was quick to establish which were the highly collectable bottles and which I would just have to enjoy drinking. I had a very good idea which bottles would fetch the best price and Hannah confirmed that for me. After putting the bottles to their database of clients, I soon had a best offer which stacked up against other vendors. On accepting the offer a courier delivered all the packing boxes the following day and we dropped everything packed to the post office. Hannah confirmed receipt and a couple of days later Mark called to confirm that he had just sent the proceeds to me - All very painless!
Many companies make a lot of promises these days but never quite deliver - Mark Littler is very much the exception!read more
Account Manager Hannah... Thompson completed the transaction faultlessly throughout. She was quick to establish which were the highly collectable bottles and which I would just have to enjoy drinking. I had a very good idea which bottles would fetch the best price and Hannah confirmed that for me. After putting the bottles to their database of clients, I soon had a best offer which stacked up against other vendors. On accepting the offer a courier delivered all the packing boxes the following day and we dropped everything packed to the post office. Hannah confirmed receipt and a couple of days later Mark called to confirm that he had just sent the proceeds to me - All very painless!
Many companies make a lot of promises these days but never quite deliver - Mark Littler is very much the exception!read more
Sharon Thatcher R.
00:54 07 Nov 20
Working with Mark Littler was awesome. I‘m in the US and he walked me through every step of selling my cask of scotch whiskey in Scotland, and even... went out of his way to deliver a letter in person to the distillery since I couldn’t get ahold of them due to Covid. He made the whole process so simple for me. I would recommend him In a heartbeat.read more
Matthew R.
08:54 23 Sep 20
Mark sold my 28 bottles of macallan 18 year old! I ended up on TV and radio due to the media campaign he ran and ended up selling all bottles and got... a very good price for it!
Knowledgeable guy and easy to talk to! Will guide you through every step.
Highly recommendread more
Knowledgeable guy and easy to talk to! Will guide you through every step.
Highly recommendread more
David H.
17:02 12 Jun 20
A very professional broker, prompt and efficient with good communication throughout the deal. The process of the sale completed within a... week.
Would not hesitate to recommend them to any prospective seller.read more
Would not hesitate to recommend them to any prospective seller.read more
Maggie C.
10:35 22 Apr 20
Having used the services of Mark Littler to sell a collection of malt whiskey, I would like to say how pleased I was with his handling of the sale,... from advice, valuation, collection and payment of proceeds. I would certainly recommend him to others for all aspects of the sale.read more
Don R.
08:49 22 Apr 20
I can heartily recommend Mark if you want to sell whisky. He is very knowledgeable and happy to give advice. He acheived an excellent price for our... cask. He guided us through the process making it entirely stress free. You can have full confidence in this guy.read more
Lauren H.
14:59 06 Mar 20
Could not recommend enough!
mark has been professional, helpful and knowledgeable as a whole.
With a personal service and a reasonable price,... there really is every reason to use Mark!
Many thanks!
Laurenread more
mark has been professional, helpful and knowledgeable as a whole.
With a personal service and a reasonable price,... there really is every reason to use Mark!
Many thanks!
Laurenread more
Andrew M.
17:06 04 Mar 20
Excellant professional service, Mark kept us fully informed throughout the sale and even managed to obtain a higher offer. Would readily recommend.... Thank youread more
John D.
15:24 21 Jan 20
Mark Littler Ltd provided me with a first class service which was efficient, faultless and thoroughly professional. I have no reservations in... recommending the Company.read more
Carey O.
11:34 21 Jan 20
Mark was thoroughly professional throughout the whole process. He kept us up to date with the proceedings and achieved a very good result for us. He... was very easy to deal with, answered any queries promptly and I would have no hesitation in recommending him.read more
Charlotte M.
19:02 29 Oct 19
If I could give more than 5 stars I would!!
Fantastic service and communication throughout. Mark sold a bottle of whisky for me and made the... whole process so easy and stress free! Cannot recommend his services enough. Thank you againread more
Fantastic service and communication throughout. Mark sold a bottle of whisky for me and made the... whole process so easy and stress free! Cannot recommend his services enough. Thank you againread more
Sylvia D.
13:55 16 Jul 19
We have received a first class service from Mark Littler and would highly recommend him to anyone needing a Whisky Broker we were kept informed all... the time as to what was happening from the word go. Many thanks Mark. RegardsSylvia Dewarread more
Catherine H.
15:34 14 Jun 19
Fantastic service. I know nothing about whisky but was interested to know if two bottles I had were worth selling. Swift response, great and... friendly advice followed by a very quick and efficient service. Fantastic customer service, worth every penny of the 10% commission - highly recommended. Many thanks Mark.read more
Malcolm G.
16:16 07 Jun 19
Knowing nothing about whisky I sought advice from Mark and his knowledge was second to none.The sale process was remarkably easy and speedy and I... would have no hesitation in recommending him.read more
Stephen R.
13:27 05 Jun 19
Great service. I was looking to sell a cask of whiskey which I have had for a number of years. Mark was very helpful and gave great professional... advise throughout the process. I was made a great offer from a contact through Mark which I accepted. Highly recommended.
Many thanks Mark.
Stephen.read more
Many thanks Mark.
Stephen.read more
Gary C.
18:52 17 May 19
selling a bottle on behalf of my father in law. Mark was quick prompt and very knowledgeable Helped me get a very fair offer and assisted in the... transport and other arrangements. payment back was in my bank account in a matter of days. Would recommend Mark to anyone looking to buy or sell the same. very glad i came across someone so professional. Regards
Gary Cattellread more
Gary Cattellread more
Roger N.
16:13 06 May 19
Being situated in the US, I was initially somewhat hesitant to use an overseas broker to sell my silver but what a pleasant and very professional... experience it was using Marks' service!
He connected us with an interested buyer and the sale went smoothly and at a price I was very pleased with. I am poised to use him again for items I have and would highly recommend him to anyone else located in the US to sell their items.read more
He connected us with an interested buyer and the sale went smoothly and at a price I was very pleased with. I am poised to use him again for items I have and would highly recommend him to anyone else located in the US to sell their items.read more
Anita W.
12:03 06 May 19
In the sale of our whisky casks Mark has been exemplary.
His honest advice and clear communication at every stage eased our path through the... whole transaction.
This with the outstanding sale price he achieved for us, was more than impressive.
We commend him highly to anyone with good whisky to sell.
Thank you Mark
Eddie & Anita
Yorkshireread more
His honest advice and clear communication at every stage eased our path through the... whole transaction.
This with the outstanding sale price he achieved for us, was more than impressive.
We commend him highly to anyone with good whisky to sell.
Thank you Mark
Eddie & Anita
Yorkshireread more
Sue H.
13:36 04 Apr 19
Fantastic service. Great communication. I had no idea how best to sell our bottle of whisky but I needn't have worried. Mark handled everything. ... Would highly recommend.read more
Sydney K.
15:22 29 Mar 19
From our initial contact with his website to successful conclusion of the transaction Mark was in every way more than helpful in selling our canteen... of silver cutlery this week.
We were satisfied with the price achieved and the very prompt payment.
Well and worthily recommended by us to anyone looking for someone with integrity and knowledge in the areas of his expertise.
Syd Kershnerread more
We were satisfied with the price achieved and the very prompt payment.
Well and worthily recommended by us to anyone looking for someone with integrity and knowledge in the areas of his expertise.
Syd Kershnerread more
Ian F.
16:58 28 Mar 19
Remarkable man. Remarkable service. The daunting prospect of how best to sell our cask of Macallan instead became a pleasure. Every aspect of the... transaction was handled painlessly! Thank you Mark.read more
Michaela H.
17:29 25 Feb 19
I was very pleased with the way Mark handled the sale of my whiskey. I had no idea how whiskey is valued and he was happy to take me through it. I... felt I could trust him all the way though the process and everything was completed far quicker than I expected. Highly recommended.read more
Dudley A.
19:12 24 Jan 19
Mark dealt with the sale of my whiskey,I would recommend Mark 100% he kept me updated all the way he is very knowledgable and helpful and completed... within a week, no hesitation in dealing with Mark again big thank you.read more
June B.
10:50 21 Jan 19
What a delight to find someone so professional knowledgable and helpful. From start to finish Mark handled the sell of my whisky cask brilliantly. ... I have nos hesitation in recommending Markread more
Dave H.
21:23 19 Dec 18
Mark provided a fantastic service from start to end. Explained what he expected it would achieve, quickly confirmed this and helped make all the... necessary arrangements.
Through the whole process, felt comfortable dealing with Mark and the whole process was completed within two weeks.
First class service, five star.read more
Through the whole process, felt comfortable dealing with Mark and the whole process was completed within two weeks.
First class service, five star.read more
Chris W.
19:55 06 Dec 18
Mark provided a very professional service throughout my particular cask sale, keeping me constantly informed until a buyer was found. He handled all... of the details throughout the process and prompt payment on its conclusion. I would highly recommend his services.read more
Phil D.
19:03 04 Dec 18
Absolutely first class service. Prompt acknowledgement of our enquiry and settlement within days once a buyer had been found. A pleasure to do... business with.read more
Mark R.
19:24 22 Aug 18
just looking to see if my bottle of whisky was worth anything, was well shocked after a couple of e-mails to find out how much, the service was all... risk fr