I purchased this "Pewter Railway Mug" (that was the label on it in the shop) not knowing what all the markings meant. I got quite an interesting schooling from some well-informed "chaps" from "the other side of the pond."
The mug at one time resided at the "Forest Gate Railway Tavern" (which still exists though in a different building) and other markings on the bottom indicate that the mug was made by Robert Pringle Limited sometime between 1863 and 1879. In one of the photos you can see the initials CK emblazoned large on the front of the mug. A well-informed Englishman informed me by e-mail (with links to prove it!) that in 1885 the Forest Gate Railway Tavern was owned by a man named ... (drum roll please) ... Charles Knowler! Most likely the man whose initials are on the mug. I cannot find much else on him. Evidently, he was no more famous than I am. But I have his mug, which somehow, some way, made it to America. The Englishman who discovered all this for me (I had e-mailed him photos) speculated that it was probably stolen and brought here!
He said there is not much of a market for these old items as it was common for people to have THEIR mugs at THEIR favorite pubs where they would hang out. But at least I have the story on this one.
And the last photo, close-up of the stamp, indicates that the mug was made sometime during the reign of Queen Victoria, 1837 to 1901. I only regret that I scoured it to get all the patina off so I could drink from it. NOT proud of that and WILL NEVER SCOUR again, but it is still one of my favorite items.
