The Story Behind this Blog

Being from the South, Silver is a very big part of my life. It doesn't have anything to do with wealth. Although those with more money - old money, tend to have more of it. New money tend not to spend their money on Silver. They do not have the appreciation for the warmth of the metal, the beauty of the patina, the story it tells of the generations past who have used it. A true southern girl comes of age when she chooses her silver pattern, long before she chooses her mate. If she is smart, she chooses that of her mother, grandmother, or favorite great aunt who in their benevolence will pass their silver on to her. It is the pieces in those sets, the pieces on our tables, along with the pieces we find in the corners of the displays in antique stores that prompted me to start this blog. They are beautiful, they are odd, but what are they, and what in the hell do you do with them?

Friday, July 4, 2014

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)


Wednesday, July 2, 2014

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)
Gorham Silver King Edward (Sterling,1936,No Monos) Small Solid Cold Meat Serving Fork

Baby Fork and Spoon Set


Gorham Silver King Edward (Sterling,1936,No Monos) 2 Pc Baby Set (BF, BS)


Master Butter Knife  (6 3/4 inches)



Gorham Silver King Edward (Sterling,1936,No Monos) Flat Handle Master Butter Knife

Monday, June 30, 2014

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)



Whiting Division Madam Jumel (Sterling, 1908) Large Solid Berry/Casserole Spoon Fork (6 7/8 inches)


Whiting Division Madam Jumel (Sterling, 1908) Fork


Nut Pick (4 3/8 inches)


Whiting Division Madam Jumel (Sterling, 1908) Solid Nut Pick


Short Handled Olive Spoon (6 inches)


Whiting Division Madam Jumel (Sterling, 1908) Olive Fork