What is a letter tray used for?

A letter tray is used for organizing papers. You can place different categories of mail and paperwork in the various levels of the trays. Often, people use trays with two levels: one for incoming documents and one for outgoing documents. Find a variety of vintage letter trays on 1stDibs.

Are silver trays worth anything?

Yes, some silver trays are worth something. If your tray is solid silver rather than silver plate, you can sell it on the scrap market and get the going rate for sterling or fine silver precious metals. Some trays may be worth more due to their age, style, maker and condition. Some makers that collectors often focus on include Georg Jensen, Tiffany & Co., Cristofle, Buccellati, Reed & Barton and Gorham. To get a rough idea of how much your tray may be worth, consider consulting a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, find a large selection of silver trays.

How can you tell if a tray is pure silver?

The best way to tell if a tray is pure silver depends on what you mean by pure. It is very unlikely that any tray would be made of 100% pure silver. Generally, the highest purity of silver used to produce serveware is fine silver, which is 99.9% pure silver but still contains trace amounts of other metals. Sterling silver is much more commonly used to make trays and is 92.5% pure. To find out if your tray is made of fine silver, look for hallmarks that indicate its materials. Different countries employ varying silver hallmark systems, so research the marking using trusted online resources on your tray to determine its meaning. Alternatively, if by pure you mean solid silver that isn't plated, try placing a magnet near your tray. A strong attraction indicates that your tray features a thin layer of silver plating over a magnetic base metal. Should you need assistance identifying your tray, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer can help you with the process. Find a wide range of silver trays on 1stDibs.

How do I know if a silver tray is valuable?

To know if a silver tray is valuable, search the piece for markings that indicate the maker and materials. You can compare these markings to images found on trusted online resources to determine what type of silver the tray is and who produced it, and then research what similar pieces have sold for in the past. Generally, sterling silver and fine silver items fetch higher prices than silverplate. However, the maker, type and condition of a tray will also impact its value. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer can also perform a valuation for you. Shop an assortment of silver trays on 1stDibs.

Silver Letter Tray

Trinket Tray

Silver Reproduction

Ceramic Centerpiece Tray

Leopard Silver

Black Starr And Frost Silver

Catch All Tray

Richard Meier For Swid Powell

Black Ormolu Desk

Fountain pen Ballpoint pen Tray and Letter Opener for Desk Set enamel Salimbeni

$6,396

H 0.4 in W 7.29 in D 3.75 in

Fountain pen Ballpoint pen Tray and Letter Opener for Desk Set enamel Salimbeni

By Salimbeni

Located in Firenze, FI

, comprising a ballpoint pen, fountain pen, tray, and letter opener, all crafted from 925/1000 sterling silver

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Black Starr Frost Mahogany Silver Ormolu Compartment Letter Holder Desk Organize

$1,850Sale Price|24% Off

H 7 in W 21 in D 7 in

Black Starr Frost Mahogany Silver Ormolu Compartment Letter Holder Desk Organize

By Black, Starr & Frost

Located in Roslyn, NY

A rare Edwardian large black Starr & Frost mahogany and silver ormolu mounted, compartment letter

Category

Antique 19th Century English Edwardian More Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Recent Sales

Russian Imperial-era Silver Letter Tray by Timofeev, Moscow, 1835

Unavailable

H 0.25 in W 7.25 in L 10 in

Russian Imperial-era Silver Letter Tray by Timofeev, Moscow, 1835

Located in St. Catharines, ON

This charming Russian rectangular silver tray from the Pushkin era was crafted by the renowned

Category

Antique 1830s Russian Russian Empire Platters and Trays

Materials

Silver

21st Century Italy Sterling Silver Letter tray

Sold

H 1.5 in W 27 in D 19 in

21st Century Italy Sterling Silver Letter tray

By Arval Argenti Valenza

Located in VALENZA, IT

Letter tray in sterling silver Rectangular tray for correspondence, reproduction of specimens in

Category

Early 2000s Italian Victorian Desk Sets

Materials

Sterling Silver

Nickel Silver & Smoke Glass Serving or Letter Tray

Sold

H 3 in W 11.75 in D 21.75 in

Nickel Silver & Smoke Glass Serving or Letter Tray

Located in North Miami, FL

Rectangular tray with smoke glass base resting on bands of nickel silver which connect to the sides

Category

20th Century American Serving Pieces

Handcrafted Chase Leopard Letter Tray or catch all 1990s

Sold

H 1 in W 13.5 in L 1 in

Handcrafted Chase Leopard Letter Tray or catch all 1990s

Located in Bellport, NY

A rare handcrafted chase leopard letter or trinket tray, ceramic and gold leaf.

Category

20th Century American Anglo Raj Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

Letter Tray by Charlie Dumais

Sold

H 2 in W 9 in D 11 in

Letter Tray by Charlie Dumais

By Dumais Made

Located in Bantam, CT

Our stoneware Letter Tray is handcrafted using slab-construction techniques. The Letter Tray

Category

2010s American Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Pottery, Stoneware

Richard Meier for Swid Powell Silver Plate Letter Opener and Tray

Sold

H 0.57 in W 10.63 in D 5.5 in

Richard Meier for Swid Powell Silver Plate Letter Opener and Tray

By Swid Powell, Richard Meier

Located in Kensington, MD

Silver plate letter opener and catch all tray by Richard Meier for Swid Powell. Both pieces are

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver, Gold Plate, Brass

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Japanese Carved and Lacquered Shibayama Cabinet, Meiji Period

$18,850

H 86 in W 50 in D 17.25 in

Japanese Carved and Lacquered Shibayama Cabinet, Meiji Period

Located in San Francisco, CA

An elaborate and finely detailed carved wood, and gold lacquered Shibayama cabinet (Chigaidansu). Having beautifully applied semi-precious stone and mother of pearl decoration of flo...

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Wood

19th Century Chinese Lacquer Wedding Bed

$12,000

H 82.5 in W 86 in D 54 in

19th Century Chinese Lacquer Wedding Bed

Located in Dallas, TX

Chinese wedding bed in red lacquer and hand cards details. Has a new mattress (not shown).

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Gold Leaf

Chinese Craved Hardwood Coffee Table, Early 20th Century, China

$6,500

H 16.25 in W 48 in D 24 in

Chinese Craved Hardwood Coffee Table, Early 20th Century, China

Located in Austin, TX

A handsome Chinese carved hardwood coffee table with a design of dragons, Republic Period, early 20th century, circa 1920, China. The table well-proportioned and well-carved. The to...

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Baccarat Crystal and Dore Bronze-Mounted Centrepiece or Jardinière

$11,850

H 12.2 in W 16.5 in D 9.5 in

Baccarat Crystal and Dore Bronze-Mounted Centrepiece or Jardinière

By Baccarat

Located in New York, NY

An unusual antique Baccarat crystal and Dore bronze-mounted oval shaped centrepiece, the removable oval shaped crystal bowl, beautifully hand-cut and engraved with floral and vine de...

Category

Antique 1880s French Louis XVI Centerpieces

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

19th Century Chinese Altar Table

$3,150Sale Price|25% Off

H 35 in W 48 in D 17 in

19th Century Chinese Altar Table

Located in New York, NY

Imperial 19th Century Carved Wine Table raised on stand with three drawers. Exceptional table having scalloped apron with carved spandrels and carved Rams legs front set on stand of...

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Console Tables

Materials

Elm

Antique Tortoiseshell Sterling Silver Heart Photograph Frame Dated London 1897

$4,900

H 8 in W 10 in D 1.25 in

Antique Tortoiseshell Sterling Silver Heart Photograph Frame Dated London 1897

By John Batson & Sons

Located in London, GB

Tortoiseshell and silver heart photograph frame date London, 1897 Maker Henry John Batson & Albert Edward Batson This frame is in excellent condition the tortoiseshell retains its or...

Category

Antique 1890s English Picture Frames

Materials

Silver

Fine Pair of 19th Century Ormolu-Mounted Chinese Porcelain Vases Oil Lamps

$7,895Sale Price / set|39% Off

H 32 in W 16 in D 16 in

Fine Pair of 19th Century Ormolu-Mounted Chinese Porcelain Vases Oil Lamps

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A fine pair of Chinese Export, 19th century porcelain bottle vases mounted with French ormolu as oil lamps. The well potted ovoid light pale-green porcelain pear-shaped body decorate...

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Table Lamps

Materials

Ormolu

Walnut Slant Front Bureau/Desk

$9,850

H 44 in W 51 in D 27 in

Walnut Slant Front Bureau/Desk

Located in Woodbury, CT

This walnut slant front bureau/desk of generous proportions is most likely American. It has an attractive interior with block front and serpentine drawers beneath pigeon holes, flank...

Category

Antique 19th Century American Chippendale Desks

Materials

Walnut, Pine

Antique English Brass and Wrought Iron Fire Grate

$6,613

H 31.89 in W 35.04 in D 19.3 in

Antique English Brass and Wrought Iron Fire Grate

Located in London, GB

A large English Georgian fire grate. The four cluster column legs surmounted by large finials, flanking an intricately pierced brass fret work of beasts and foliage, the wrought iron...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Fireplaces and Mantels

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

18th Century Massachusetts Cherry Chippendale Chest on Chest

$12,500

H 86.5 in W 40 in D 20 in

18th Century Massachusetts Cherry Chippendale Chest on Chest

Located in Essex, MA

A Massachusetts Chippendale period 18th century cherry chest-on-chest. In two parts, the swan's neck pediment with brass floral rosettes centering brass spherical and flame finial...

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Dra...

Materials

Chestnut

Victorian Umbrella and Coat Rack for Restoration

$995 / item

H 74 in Dm 21 in

Victorian Umbrella and Coat Rack for Restoration

Located in Bridgeport, CT

Victorian umbrella and coat rack with zinc pan, rotating top, peg construction, bun feet. Condition: The stand is slightly crooked (please see Photos) and some level of restoration m...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Coat Racks and Stands

Materials

Zinc

19th Century English Inlaid Letter Box Signed by Maker

$2,250

H 8 in W 10 in D 6 in

19th Century English Inlaid Letter Box Signed by Maker

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Early 19th c. English Inlaid Letter Box Signed by Maker Halstaff and Hannaford 223 Regent Street.

Category

Antique 19th Century English Boxes

19th Century Napoleon III Giltwood Mirror

$38,500

H 79 in W 57.5 in D 4 in

19th Century Napoleon III Giltwood Mirror

Located in New Orleans, LA

Grand in size and decoration, this exceptional Napoleon III-period mirror is further set apart by an elaborate giltwood frame that features decorative elements such as garlands, dove...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Wall Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Italian Oval Oil on Board Gilt Carved Wood Portrait of a Gentleman, Circa 1770

$6,500

H 17.75 in W 14 in D 1.5 in

Italian Oval Oil on Board Gilt Carved Wood Portrait of a Gentleman, Circa 1770

Located in Charleston, SC

Italian oval oil on board gilt carved wood portrait of a gentleman in the original floral and berry frame, 18th century.

Category

Antique 1770s Italian Neoclassical Paintings

Materials

Wood, Giltwood

Fine Louis XVI Painted Trumeau

$9,500

H 53 in W 46.5 in D 6 in

Fine Louis XVI Painted Trumeau

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Fine Louis XVI painted and parcel-gilt trumeau with tied ribbon surmounting a rectangular framed grisaille painted mural of putti and infant birds set above a beveled edge mirror, fl...

Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Trumeau Mirrors

Materials

Canvas, Wood

Finely 19th Century Pair of French Sevres Style Hand Painted Porcelain Vases

$8,850 / set

H 14 in W 7.5 in D 7.5 in

Finely 19th Century Pair of French Sevres Style Hand Painted Porcelain Vases

Located in Tarzana, CA

These lovely pair of Sèvres style porcelain vases exhibit finely detailed scenes to the front and back. The front of each vase with hand painted scenes of a mother and her children i...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Vases

Materials

Porcelain

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Silver Letter Tray For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal silver letter tray for your home. Frequently made of metal, silver and sterling silver, every silver letter tray was constructed with great care. There are 46 variations of the antique or vintage silver letter tray you’re looking for, while we also have 6 modern editions of this piece to choose from as well. There are many kinds of the silver letter tray you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 19th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. When you’re browsing for the right silver letter tray, those designed in Victorian, modern and Art Deco styles are of considerable interest. A well-made silver letter tray has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by deBlona, Elkington & Co. and Tiffany & Co. are consistently popular.

How Much is a Silver Letter Tray?

Prices for a silver letter tray can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $395 and can go as high as $39,550, while the average can fetch as much as $1,800.

Questions About Silver Letter Tray

What is a letter tray used for?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
A letter tray is used for organizing papers. You can place different categories of mail and paperwork in the various levels of the trays. Often, people use trays with two levels: one for incoming documents and one for outgoing documents. Find a variety of vintage letter trays on 1stDibs.
Are silver trays worth anything?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024
Yes, some silver trays are worth something. If your tray is solid silver rather than silver plate, you can sell it on the scrap market and get the going rate for sterling or fine silver precious metals. Some trays may be worth more due to their age, style, maker and condition. Some makers that collectors often focus on include Georg Jensen, Tiffany & Co., Cristofle, Buccellati, Reed & Barton and Gorham. To get a rough idea of how much your tray may be worth, consider consulting a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, find a large selection of silver trays.
How can you tell if a tray is pure silver?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertAugust 20, 2024
The best way to tell if a tray is pure silver depends on what you mean by pure. It is very unlikely that any tray would be made of 100% pure silver. Generally, the highest purity of silver used to produce serveware is fine silver, which is 99.9% pure silver but still contains trace amounts of other metals. Sterling silver is much more commonly used to make trays and is 92.5% pure. To find out if your tray is made of fine silver, look for hallmarks that indicate its materials. Different countries employ varying silver hallmark systems, so research the marking using trusted online resources on your tray to determine its meaning. Alternatively, if by pure you mean solid silver that isn't plated, try placing a magnet near your tray. A strong attraction indicates that your tray features a thin layer of silver plating over a magnetic base metal. Should you need assistance identifying your tray, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer can help you with the process. Find a wide range of silver trays on 1stDibs.
How do I know if a silver tray is valuable?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 30, 2024
To know if a silver tray is valuable, search the piece for markings that indicate the maker and materials. You can compare these markings to images found on trusted online resources to determine what type of silver the tray is and who produced it, and then research what similar pieces have sold for in the past. Generally, sterling silver and fine silver items fetch higher prices than silverplate. However, the maker, type and condition of a tray will also impact its value. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer can also perform a valuation for you. Shop an assortment of silver trays on 1stDibs.