Melanie by Wallace

Amedie J. Germain designed Melanie for Wallace and it was introduced in 1959. The pattern is fairly basic with a design of swirls around the edges of the terminal and a motif on the tip. From what I can find the pattern was discontinued in 1980.

Pierced Tablespoon (8 1/2 inches)


Short Handled Pickle Fork (5 3/4 inches)

Alice by Fessenden

Silas H. Manchester designed Alice for Fessenden in 1895. It is a lovely pattern described as "Dots and Flowers", very befitting for a lady. The detail on the serving pieces is elegant.

Long Handled Olive Spoon (6 3/4 inches)


Master Butter Knife (6 3/4 inches)


Preserve Spoon (7 5/8 inches)


Large Sardine Serving Fork (5 1/2 inches)

Grape by Dominick and Half

Grape was introduced by Dominick and Haff in 1895 and was designed by Gilbert L. Crowell Jr. He also designed the patterns Victoria, Gothic, Basket of Flowers, Cupid, and Rococo for Dominick and Haff. The design speaks for itself.


Teaspoon (6 inches)

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)

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.  

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)