Authenticity & Condition

Sampson Mordan & Co.® can only guarantee the authenticity, condition description and sale record of items purchased directly from Sampson Mordan & Co.

Each item offered by Sampson Mordan & Co. is assessed before sale. Where relevant, we review hallmarks, maker’s marks, materials, construction, condition, form, repair, provenance, archive references and comparison with known examples.

For vintage, antique and archive pieces, condition is described according to the evidence available at the time of listing. Signs of age, use, wear, repair, polishing, tarnish, alteration or previous ownership may form part of the history of the object.

1. Items Purchased from Sampson Mordan & Co.

We stand behind the items we sell directly. Product descriptions, photographs and condition notes are prepared to help clients understand what is being offered before purchase.

Where an item is vintage, antique, restored, one-of-one or archive-led, we aim to describe material condition points clearly and proportionately. If a material fact is known to us and relevant to the purchase, it will be reflected in the listing.

If you have a question about an item purchased directly from Sampson Mordan & Co., please contact our Client Care team with your order number and relevant details.

2. Third-Party Listings and the Wider Market

We do not provide free online appraisals, valuations, pricing guidance or authentication opinions for items offered by third-party dealers, auction houses, online marketplaces or private sellers.

We cannot comment on whether a third-party listing is genuine, correctly priced, misdescribed, complete, restored, altered or suitable for purchase.

There is a long and legitimate market in antique and vintage Sampson Mordan pieces, and many independent antique dealers, auction houses and collectors handle such objects responsibly. Our position is not intended to question that market. It simply reflects that Sampson Mordan & Co. can only stand behind items it has inspected, catalogued and sold directly.

3. The Design Archive

The Sampson Mordan Design Archive is intended as a public reference resource for collectors, clients and researchers. It may include information on historic forms, archive objects, design language, marks, materials, mechanisms and documented examples.

The archive is provided for general reference only. It does not constitute authentication, valuation, appraisal, investment advice or purchase advice for any specific object or third-party listing.

Where archive entries refer to historic Sampson Mordan pieces, they should not be read as confirmation that any similar item offered elsewhere is genuine, complete, correctly described or correctly priced.

4. Hallmarks, Maker’s Marks and Attribution

Hallmarks, maker’s marks, sponsor’s marks, patent marks, registered design marks and retailer marks can all assist with identification, but they must be read carefully and in context.

Marks may be rubbed, partial, distorted, over-polished, hidden by later work or affected by age and use. Attribution should not rest on a single mark where the evidence is incomplete.

Further information is available on our Sampson Mordan Hallmarks page.

5. Condition Descriptions

Condition descriptions are intended to help clients understand the visible and material condition of an item at the time of sale. They are not a promise that an item is free from every minor mark, sign of age or historic intervention.

For vintage and antique pieces, normal age-related characteristics may include:

Surface wear, small marks, scratches or dents.
Tarnish, patina or colour variation.
Softening from age, polishing or handling.
Wear to hinges, loops, catches, suspension fittings or moving parts.
Historic repair, alteration or replacement components.
Rubbed, partial or difficult-to-read hallmarks.
Signs of previous ownership, engraving or personalisation.

6. Condition Guide

Where used, the following condition terms should be understood as general guidance:

Excellent: very light signs of age or use, with no significant visible condition issues unless stated.
Very Good: light to moderate signs of age or use, consistent with careful ownership.
Good: visible signs of age, wear or use, but structurally sound and suitable for sale unless otherwise stated.
Fair: more noticeable wear, repair, alteration, losses or condition issues, described where relevant.
As Found / For Restoration: offered with notable condition issues, missing elements, damage or restoration requirements.

Condition terms should always be read together with the full product description and photographs.

7. Restoration and Previous Repair

Some vintage and antique pieces may have been cleaned, polished, repaired, restored or altered before reaching Sampson Mordan & Co. Where such work is visible or known to us and materially relevant, it will be described.

Restoration is not always negative. In some cases, careful repair preserves the life and usability of an object. In other cases, excessive restoration may affect originality, value, finish, detail or integrity.

Further care guidance is available on our Care & Repair page.

8. Provenance and Documentation

Where available, provenance, original boxes, receipts, paperwork, inscriptions, catalogue references or prior sale records may support the history of an item.

However, absence of paperwork does not automatically mean an item is not genuine, and the presence of paperwork does not remove the need to assess the object itself. Documentation should be considered alongside materials, construction, marks, condition and form.

9. Limitations of Assessment

Vintage and antique objects can involve uncertainty. Some information may be incomplete, unavailable or open to interpretation. Descriptions are prepared in good faith using the evidence available at the time of listing.

If an attribution, date, material, maker, period or element of condition is uncertain, we will aim to describe it appropriately.

10. Requests We Cannot Assist With

We are unable to assist with requests asking us to:

Authenticate an item from photographs.
Value or appraise an item for sale, insurance, probate or private purposes.
Comment on an auction, dealer, marketplace or private listing.
Confirm whether a third-party seller’s description is accurate.
Advise whether a third-party item should be purchased.
Provide free pricing guidance for buying or selling outside Sampson Mordan & Co.

Collectors and researchers are welcome to use our public archive and hallmarking resources for general reference, but those resources do not constitute a private authentication or valuation service.

11. Contact

If your enquiry relates to an item purchased directly from Sampson Mordan & Co., please contact us with your order number, photographs where relevant and a clear description of the matter.

For enquiries, please visit our Contact page.