The 6th edition of this numismatic classic offers much more than previous editions, not only in terms of the number of varieties recorded but also in terms of the way in which the data has been recorded and presented. It has been completely renumbered to do away with the confusing letter suffixes used in previous editions, and is now arranged by monarch rather than denomination; all new numbers are cross-referenced to the previous edition.

Ian Pickford takes a wide-ranging look at flatware patterns and, at the same time, discusses in deatil flatware makers, stylistic developments, quality, repairs, fakes, forgeries and alterations as well as the marking of flatware. A large part of the book is devoted, in reference form, to the patterns themselves. Silver flatware is highly collectable and this is the standard work of reference.