“a history of English goldsmiths and plateworkers, and their marks stamped on plate, copied in facsimile from celebrated examples; and the earliest records preserved at Goldsmith's hall, London, with their names, addresses, and dates of entry, 2500 illustrations, also historical accounts of the Goldsmiths' company and their hall marks; their regalia; the Mint; closing of the Exchequer; goldsmith-bankers; shop signs; a copious index, &c. &c., preceded by an introductory essay on the goldsmiths' art”