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?

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

HMD2 by Hamilton and Diesinger

Hamilton and Diesinger intruduced their HMD2 pattern in 1897.

Vegetable Serving Spoon (9 inches)

Hamilton & Diesinger HMD2 (STERLING) Vegetable Serving Spoon (Solid)

Master Butter Knife (7 5/8 inches)

Hamilton & Diesinger HMD2 (STERLING) Flat Handle Master Butter Knife

Small Cold Meat Serving Fork (8 inches)

Hamilton & Diesinger HMD2 (STERLING) Small Solid Cold Meat Serving Fork

Berry Serving Scoop (8 1/4 inches)

Hamilton & Diesinger HMD2 (STERLING) Solid Berry Serving Scoop

Friday, August 21, 2020

Rosemary by Easterling

Easterling's Rosemary pattern dates back to 1944. It was designed by James Russell Price who also designed Epic for Gorham (1941), King Edward for Gorham (1936), Chapel Bells for Alvin (1939), as well as Greenbrier for Gorham (1938).

Master Butter (7 inches)

Easterling Rosemary (Sterling, 1944) Flat Handle Master Butter Knife

Jelly Server (6 1/4 inches)

Easterling Rosemary (Sterling, 1944) Large Solid Jelly Server

Cocktail Fork(5 /8 inches)

Easterling Rosemary (Sterling, 1944) Cocktail/Seafood Fork

Tomato Server (8 1/8 inches)

Easterling Rosemary (Sterling, 1944) Tomato Server, Solid Piece

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Floral Series by Blackinton

Blackinton's Floral Series pattern is a 'limited' pattern in that consists of only Teaspoons and Demitasse Spoons. It was introduced in 1895.

Teaspoon "Poppy" (5 3/4 inches)

Blackinton Floral Series (Sterling) Spoon-Teaspoon

Teaspoon "Daisy" (5 3/4 inches)

Demitasse Spoon "Chrysanthemum" (4 1/4 inches)

Blackinton Floral Series (Sterling) Demitasse Spoon

Teaspoon "Zinnia" (5 3/4 inches)

Blackinton Floral Series (Sterling) Teaspoon

Monday, August 17, 2020

Avalon by International

International's Avalon pattern dates back to 1900 and was designed by Samuel Stohr. Stohr also designed Pansy (1909) for International and Chesterfield (1914).

Terrapin Fork (5 3/8 inches)

International Silver Avalon (Sterling, 1900) Large Individual Terrapin Fork

Fruit Knife (8 inches)

International Silver Avalon (Sterling, 1900) Individual Fruit Knife with Silverplate Blade

Gravy Ladle (7 1/4 inches)

International Silver Avalon (Sterling, 1900) Solid Gravy Ladle

Long Handle Chocolate Muddlr Spoon (8 inches)

International Silver Avalon (Sterling, 1900) Long Handle Chocolate Muddlr Spoon

Friday, August 14, 2020

No. 75 by Gorham

Gorham's No. 75 pattern dates back to 1890. This design makes for a heavy handle but is lovely in detail.

Pie Server (9 1/2 inches)

Gorham Silver NO 75 (Sterling) Pie Server with Stainless Blade

Punch Ladle (14 1/4 inches)

Gorham Silver NO 75 (Sterling) Punch Ladle with Silverplate Bowl

Bread Knife

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

No. 18-C by Gorham

Gorham's No. 18-C pattern dates back to 1885 and is multi motif with different designs on various pieces.

Demitasse Spoon (4 1/2 inches)

Gorham Silver No 18-C (Sterling, 1895) Demitasse Spoon

Demitasse Spoon (4 1/8 inches)

Demitasse Spoon (4 1/4 inches)

Demitasse Spoon (4 1/8 inches)

Monday, August 10, 2020

No. 2-C by Gorham

Gorham's No. 2-C pattern dates back to 1885.

Tea Caddy Spoon (3 5/8 inches)

Gorham Silver No 2-C (Sterling, 1885) Tea Caddy Spoon

Small Sugar Tongs (4 1/2 inches)

Gorham Silver No 2-C (Sterling, 1885) Small Sugar Tongs

Sat Spoon (3 1/2 inches)

Gorham Silver No 2-C (Sterling, 1885) Master Salt Spoon

Friday, August 7, 2020

Melrose by Gorham

J. Russell Price designed Melrose for Gorham. The pattern was introduced in 1948. Price also designed King Edward for Gorham (1936), Chapel Bells for Alvin (1939), Epic for Gorham (1941), as well as Greenbrier for Gorham (1938).

Short Handle Olive Fork (5 1/4 inches)