Silver is a multi faceted metal that serves as currencies, eating utensils, storage containers, and objects of decorative art. 

Antique and early 20th century silver flatware is on of life's great bargains. You can frequently find older patterns at a lower price than you would pay for the same pattern new. Owner's silver is heavier and has finer workmanship. 
You can buy silver to use or to collect. 

Getting Serious about silver. 
When you feel the urge to buy, get books that help you id the various makers and markers of the silver. The encyclopedia of American silver is a great book for identifying and understanding American silver, silver flatware and its marks and its makers. For English silver, try the English silver hallmarks.
Long before Ralph Nader English hallmarks offered and early form of consumer protection the hallmark guarantees the product was tested at an assay office and conforms to legal standard of 92.5 purity. 

From early times English sterling silver has had official etching or engraving mark guaranteeing purity the loin passant hallmark signifies that the piece is sterling and also distinguishes some form of the lion assent - a waling lion that is looking at you is on every piece of English sterling. You can find three to five hallmarks on a piece of English silver. They use one to indicate sterling another for the town and a letter for the date sometime you see a king or queen which means the taxes have be paid.  Sterling silverware is different. 

Colonial American, the silver, brass and pewter represented a family's life savings silver started with spoons forks etc and move from function to art. For many families the family furniture and clothing and glass are gone. Silver is the only heirloom left. Silver has an intrinsic value plus silver was one of the few thing s passed down to the woman. This includes all sterling silverware and silver flatware. 

Rule number one at the Victorian table never touch the food with our hands rule number tow never serve food without the proper implements. During elaborate ten course meals every food has it own utensil such as oyster forks macaroni servers and ice cram knives - why? Some have up to 10 different spoons - much of American Victorian silver plate is affordable.

Caring for silver 

Some people put silver in the dishwasher, other than it makes their silverware cloudy - if you use the dishwasher, keep the sterling in a separate basket from stainless. Also hand wash knives that are made in two parts or have HH hollow handles - don't us a dip cleaner or baking soda as they can takeaway the old patina, the naturally darkened area in the crevices of the design. 

Polish the highlights and the body of the piece. Already ornate designs stand out better with a rich patina intact. Condition is important with silver plate; you want the original silver plate as intact as possible. Some pieces may look horribly tarnished. Be careful that you don't remove the plate in the cleaning process using a regular silver polish such as Goddard or haggard is great don't use Simi chrome or other highly abusive cleaners for silver plated pieces. Pacific cloth is solid for hollowware, flatware and silverware.  You can buy this cloth by the yard so you can wrap your bigger pieces the cloth has a special chemical the prevents tarnish you can also find large zippered bag made for storing flatware or you can wrap your flatware a tarnish resistant paper .