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?

Monday, January 12, 2015

Irving aka Old Atlanta by Wallace

In 1899 Wallace introduced their Irving pattern. The pattern was discontinued several years later. However in 1960 Wallace reintroduced the same pattern under the name of Old Atlanta which has since also been discontinued. The design itself is one of scrolls around the edges.


Fork (7 1/2 inches


Roast Carving Fork (11 inches)



Lettuce Serving Spoon (8 1/4 inches)

Friday, January 9, 2015

How Gorham Became One of the Motherships

Over the years Gorham managed to adsorb, purchase, or make many of the smaller silver companies part the Gorham Company. Here is a chart of how they managed to get some familiar companies such as Mt. Vernon, Alvin, Durgin, Knowles, Whiting, and Woods and Hughes just to name a few, under their umbrella. Often after several years of having the smaller companies on board, Gorham would break the dies and casts of the smaller company's designs. The idea being that there was not enough demand for production of so many different patterns. The more popular patterns were kept.

I'll offer my caveat -  The following is best I could do to chart out the flow. It may not be correct. The information is confusing at best coming from different sources. But it gives you an idea of how all the smaller companies ending up merging.  




Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Saint George by Wallace

Wallace's Saint George pattern has much more to it than Reed and Barton's Saint George pattern. Wallace's pattern dates back to 1890. The ornate  design is etched into the pieces and includes a griffon among other details.

Oyster Ladle (10 1/4 inches)


Fork (7 1/8 inches)

Monday, January 5, 2015

La France by Dominick and Haff

La France, a pattern by Dominick and Haff dates back to 1916. 


Fork (7 5/8 inches)


Flat Handle Butter Knife (5 1/2 inches)


Pastry Server (8 1/4 inches)




Friday, January 2, 2015

Imperial by Dominick and Haff

Another pattern by  Gilbert L. Crowell Jr., Imperial was introduced by Dominick and Haff in 1909. Other patterns designed by Crowell include:  Victoria, Gothic, Basket of Flowers, Cupid, Rococo and Grape. 



Bon Bon Spoon (4 1/2 inches)



Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Rococo by Shiebler

Although it was also introduced in 1888, Rococo by Shiebler should not be confused with Dominick and Haff's Rococo pattern. This older pattern (126 years as of the edition of this post) is truly "Rococo" in its style. Not only does it show the curls and frills of the period, the shape of the piece itself with the curved terminal and stem, that rather than follow the conventional line, follows the pattern for an asymmetrical look. A beautiful pattern, if you can find it. 


Teaspoon (6 1/8 inches)



Monday, December 29, 2014

Rochambeau by Watson

F. Russell Woodward designed Rochambeau for Watson and it was introduced in 1919. The design has a motif on the terminal, a triple lined edge that goes down the stem and leads into three leaves that open onto the shoulder of the piece. It is elegant in its simplicity.

Fork (7 3/4 inches)

Large Sardine Serving Fork (5 inches)


Sugar Spoon (5 1/2 inches)




Friday, December 26, 2014

St. Louis by Watson

St. Louis introduced in 1904 by Watson is another Rococo style pattern with the swirls on the edges. Other patterns of this style that come to mind include  Kings Court by Frank Whiting, Junior Rococo by Mauser-Wendell, and Louis XV by Whiting.

Berry Fork (4 7/8 inches)


Joint Roast Holder (9 1/2 inches)


Master Salt Spoon (3 inches)



Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Holly by Alvin

In honor of the Yuletide, Holly by Alvin. The pattern dates back to 1900. 


Teaspoon (5 5/8 inches)



Monday, December 22, 2014

Princess by Watson

Watson introduced its Princess pattern in 1908 and it should not be confused with the Princess Patterns by Shiebler, Stieff, or Towle that I have already posted on. These four patterns are so different. It is interesting to see how four designers with four companies had "Princess" in mind when they named each of these patterns. Although each is befitting of the name.

Small Chipped Beef Fork (5 3/4 inches)



Macaroni Server (7 inches)



One Tine Butter Pick



Bon Bon Scoop (4 1/4 Inches)