Miss America by Alvin

Miss America was introduced by Alvin in 1902. Axel H. Staf designed the pattern for the company. Given the first  "Miss America" pageant was not held until 1921, I am afraid this pattern is in no way related, unless Alvin was ahead of its time. The pattern is distinguished with a simple border around the terminal and stem then with a simple reeded motif down the bottom of the stem.


Oyster Fork (5 3/8  inches)




Pierced Table serving Spoon (8 1/2 inches)




Flat Handle Butter Spreader (5 3/4 inches)




Salad Fork (6 1/2 inches)

King Edward by Gorham

J. Russell Price designed King Edward for Gorham in 1936, the year of King Edward VIII's abdication of the throne for his divorced lover, Wallace Simpson. Whether or not the name of the pattern, the name of the King, and that notable year in the history of the British Realm have anything in common, I leave up to you.

Whatever the case, the King Edward pattern by Gorham is a lovely, fairly elaborate pattern. Price went on to design Chapel Bells for Alvin in 1939.

Cold Meat Serving Fork (7 1/2  inches)


Baby Fork and Spoon Set





Master Butter Knife  (6 3/4 inches)

Madam Jumel by Whiting

Madam Jumel was introduced by Whiting in 1908. And for those who do not recognize the name, Madam Eliza Jumel was quite the controversial figure of her time. She started off as a cleaning girl in a brothel, managed to marry a French wine merchant. They lived in France since she was frowned upon by the New York elite. He died then she moved back to America, married former Vice President Aaron Burr, whom she divorced in 1836 on the date of his death. She went on to live to the age of 90 and died in 1865. Now that is a life worthy a sterling pattern!

Large Casserole Spoon (9 inches)



Fork (6 7/8 inches)





Nut Pick (4 3/8 inches)





Short Handled Olive Spoon (6 inches)