A nation of drinkers needed lots of vessels to measure, serve and drink from.  For centuries, different forms of pewter vessels for these purposes evolved locally throughout the British Isles.  They offer great interest to the collector and social historian, as many have clues that help their history to be read and told today.  In Part I, the focus is on vessels for ales and beers, and their capacities.  The first photograph shows a very early and rare quart pub mug made by James Hitchman of London who died 1735.  Like many pewterers, he struck a smaller version of his touchmark, his 'pot touch', inside the base, which is shown in the second photo.  Pub mugs like this often have ownership engraving, which in this case is: "Stackhouse at ye Kings head Martin Bridge", and is a most desirable extra feature.  To the left of the handle is a 'crowned WR' mark, which signifies that the mug complied with the Ale capacity standard introduced during the reign of William III.  In London, pewterers continued to use this mark throughout the 18th century, and up until the introduction of Imperial Standard in 1825.  Ales and beers were often served to customers from jugs probably like the gallon one shown, which is made by Henry & Richard Joseph of London c1785-93, and engraved "W Taylor Stag Castle Lane Weston".  Because it is a measure used in the course of trade, it had to be inspected and is marked with a crowned WR, and was also inspected in the City of Westminster, so has two 'portcullis' verification marks, which device was the City's armorial emblem.  The pre-Imperial undated version is shown, whereas from 1826 the mark had '1826' included in the die.

As mentioned, pewterers often struck marks on their wares, and members of the Pewter Society have identified many of them on their database, which offers a wealth of information.  It is only available to members, but all genuine pewter enthusiasts are welcome to join the Society whose contact details can be found using a Google search.  An early book on the subject, which remains relevant is Old Pewter - Its Makers and Marks by Howard Cotterell.  These are readily available, and often appear for sale on ebay.  More recently, the Pewter Society published Pewterers of London 1600-1900 by Carl Ricketts as a limited edition of 200 copies, and these are much harder to find.  The book covers London pewterers in great detail, with information about their marks, businesses and family links.

If a measure or mug was to be used 'in the course of trade' it was subject to legal controls, which were enforced by officers of the local jurisdiction such as borough, manorial court, and county council.  This practice began in medieval times, and still continues.  From c1825 when legislation under George IV introduced Imperial Measure, the testing and marking of weights and measures has been consistently enforced across the UK.  Inspectors doing this work undertake what is known as verification, and after testing the accuracy of a measure or mug, they stamp it with a verification mark.  Initially, until c1878, almost every jurisdiction used different forms of marks, which makes a very interesting collecting theme.  The most comprehensive book on the subject is Marks and Marking of Weights and Measures of the British Isles by Carl Ricketts, which is only available from the author whose contact details can be found using a Google search.  Certain Inspectors preferred to strike their verification mark in particular places on measures and mugs.  Some Inspectors often struck their mark under the base, and those of the Borough of Great Yarmouth, and Royal Burgh of Banff in Scotland have left many examples, which are shown above.  The 'DG' above BANFF stands for Dean of Guild under whose authority inspection took place.  Glasgow Inspectors always struck their two-part mark to the left of the handle, and an example dated '67 for 1867 is shown.  Others used the top of handles, inside the rim, and in the front centre of the body.

Ebay regularly has vendors selling various forms of measures and mugs from across the British Isles, although pre-Imperial examples tend to be hard to find, and much more valuable than most Victorian ones.  Rarity and condition seem to be the foremost predictors of higher values.  A few specialist dealers usually have one or two of the rarer earlier forms of measures and mugs, but these are hardly ever offered for sale on ebay.  It should be possible to Google these with antique british pewter.  Some forms are so attractive and decorative that they appeal to a wider audience than collectors alone.  For example, ones with copper, or brass rims as shown below, almost all of which were made in London c1870-1910.  In Part II, the focus is on Scottish measures for wines and spirits, and their capacities.