Engraved Commemorative Wedding Invitation Tray

This item is a vintage rectangular commemorative metal tray, likely manufactured as a keepsake from a social event. It is constructed from a base metal, possibly copper or brass, which was originally silver-plated. The plating has significantly worn away, particularly along the raised scalloped edges and corners, revealing the warm, orangish-brown copper-toned metal beneath. The tray features four distinct notched rests at the corners, indicating it was designed to function as an ashtray or a change tray. The central field contains a deeply engraved wedding invitation in an elegant cursive script, notable for being etched in reverse (mirror image). The text references the marriage of Marie Bell to Mr. Thomas Noel Saffold at the First Baptist Church in Eatonton, Georgia, on Saturday, October 22nd. The overall condition shows extensive surface wear, including heavy oxidation, loss of silvering, scratches, and minor dark spotting or pitting. The craftsmanship reflects early to mid-20th-century custom engraving, with the script exhibiting refined calligraphic flourishes. The reverse text suggests it may have been created from a printing plate or was intended to be viewed through a specific medium, though it was ultimately formed into this tray shape.

I have examined the provided images of this engraved commemorative wedding invitation tray. The item appears to be an early-to-mid 20th-century silver-plated copper souvenir. A notable feature is the mirror-image engraving; this suggests the piece was likely repurposed from an actual copper printing plate used for the couple's wedding stationery, a common practice for families wishing to preserve the plate as a functional memento (in this case, an ashtray). The condition is fair to poor, showing significant 'bleeding' where the silver plating has worn through to the copper substrate, alongside surface oxidation and pitting. While the craftsmanship of the cursive script is high, the value is hindered by the niche nature of genealogical memorabilia and the heavy wear. Market demand for such items is generally localized or restricted to descendants of the specific families (Bell and Saffold). Higher values are reserved for pieces from famous figures or those in pristine condition. Without a physical inspection, I cannot verify the exact metal composition or the date of the silvering process; a physical test would identify if there is a 'maker's mark' on the reverse. Full authentication would require provenance documentation linking the plate to the original printer or the Georgia family estate. As an image-based assessment, I must note that the depth of the engraving and the presence of underlying cracks cannot be determined without tactile examination.