Outstanding research, with no parallels in currently available literature. Includes comprehensive history of Russian silver and gold smithing, with details and peculiarities of the craft depending on the geographic area. Perhaps the most useful part of the book is the complete list of gold and silver hallmarks, organized geographically and alphabetically within each region of the Russian Empire. There are close to 6500 hallmarks shown and identified in the book. That includes detailed images of assay marks as well as markings of individual makers, with brief profile of the maker. There is also an excellent, easy to use alphabetic index.

This book will allow the reader to pinpoint the date of manufacture and maker by almost any Russian hallmark. This is a truly OUTSTANDING and INVALUABLE reference! We refer to our office copy constantly.