Gorham Sterling Set For 10 Circa 1960's

This was the silver set that was used by our family at Christmas & Thanksgiving or any other "special occasion" meal. Mom cherished this set and would hand wash & dry each piece after the special meal. Never once would any of this see the inside of the dishwasher. There were times that I thought she cared more for this set of silver than she did for her two kids. Just kidding...

The maker is Gorham and the pattern is "Buttercup" and it is .950 sterling which means 95% pure silver. I remember when silver went to $50 an ounce years ago, my mom said a man over the phone having just heard what she described to him, said that he would give her $2000 for the set, sight unseen. It's funny how you remember certain things that were said to one's self but this is one of those things I remember very well. I'm sure that the guy would have turned around and sold it for 3 or 4 thousand immediately after getting it from my mom. I'm glad she didn't go for it. Seems like I remember her saying that $2000 was 5 or 6 times what she had paid for the set new. So that would have put this set at around $350-$400 new, her cost. It would have been a pretty good return for mom. But again, I'm glad it's still here in the family, and that's where it's gonna stay...