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| The London Silver Vaults in Chancery Lane, London proudly describes itself in its brochure as the world's best-kept secret. There can be no doubt that the combined stocks of the 30 or so dealers in the vaults form the finest selection of antique silver in the world. Visitors and collectors alike are always very welcome to visit this 'unique' and well secured underground building and now you can visit us on the web. William Walter founded his antique silver company in the 1930s with a showroom in King Street in the West End of London close to Christies, the famous auction house. Some ten years later the showroom suffered wartime bombing and he was forced to close the business and store his valuable silver stocks in the safe deposit in Chancery Lane. He then worked for the Inland Revenue valuation department on war damage valuations. At the end of the war he was keen to re-establish his own business and decided that the safe deposit premises would make very suitable and secure showrooms. He was, in fact, the first silver dealer to set up showrooms there and was soon followed by other dealers to create what has become the centre of the antique silver trade. The company is still a family business with William's son Raymond and his son, John, looking after customers with expert advice and very personal attention. John is responsible for buying and attends silver auctions in London as well as travelling the country to arrange private purchases. Thus the family's reputation and expertise has been built up and passed on through three generations. The William Walter's showroom contains a fabulous selection of items, including the finest collection of early Georgian silver in London and a very extensive selection of flatware or solid silver table cutlery. The choice of items is almost overwhelming, varying from the large items like a soup tureen, through many sizes of salvers, candelabra, candlesticks, tea and coffee pots down to tiny spoons. |