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, September 16, 2020

DHS7 by Dominick and Haff

Dominick and Haff's DHS7 pattern has Art Deco lines and dates back to 1900. 

Long Handled Olive Fork (6 7/8 inches)

Dominick & Haff DHS7 Long Handle Olive Fork



Monday, September 14, 2020

English Rose by Durgin

Durgin's Enlgish Rose pattern only dates back to 1955. However, it is the same pattern as Alvin's and Gorham's Cambridge pattern that dates back 1899.

Iced Teaspoon (7 5/8 inches)
Durgin English Rose (Sterling, 1955) Iced Tea Spoon

Pickle Fork (5 5/8 inches)

Durgin English Rose (Sterling, 1955) Short Handle Pickle/Olive Fork

Sugar Spoon (5 7/8 inches)

Durgin English Rose (Sterling, 1955) Sugar Spoon

Dinner Knife (HH) (9 inches)

Durgin English Rose (Sterling, 1955) Modern Hollow Knife


Friday, September 11, 2020

Lady Fairfield by Saart

Saart introduced their Lady Fairfield pattern in 1930.

Ice Cream Slicer (10 inches)

Saart Brothers Lady Fairfield (Sterling, 1930) Large Ice Cream Slicer with Stainless Blade


Baby Fork (4 3/8 inches)
Saart Brothers Lady Fairfield (Sterling, 1930) Baby Fork


Baby Knife (5 1/2 inches)

Saart Brothers Lady Fairfield (Sterling, 1930) Baby Knife with Stainless Blade

Steak Carving Fork (10 1/4 inches)
Saart Brothers Lady Fairfield (Sterling, 1930) Small Steak Carving Knife with Stainless Blade

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

BLS5 by Blackinton

 Blackinton's BLS5 pattern was introduced in 1900.

Bon Bon Tongs (3 3/4 inches)

Blackinton BLS5 (STERLING) Bon Bon Tongs


Sugar Shell ( 5 3/4 inches)

Blackinton BLS5 (STERLING) Sugar Shell Spoon

Monday, September 7, 2020

Number 1 by Baker Manchester

In 1914 Baker Manchester introduced their Number 1 pattern. 

Tomato Server (7 1/2 inches)

Baker Manchester NO 1 (Sterling, 1914) Tomato Server, Solid Piece

Casserole Spoon (10 inches)

Baker Manchester NO 1 (Sterling, 1914) Casserole Spoon with Smooth Silverplate Bowl

Cream Ladle (6 1/4 inches)

Baker Manchester NO 1 (Sterling, 1914) Solid Piece Cream Ladle

Large Lettuce Serving (8 3/8 inches)

Baker Manchester NO 1 (Sterling, 1914) Large Lettuce Serving Fork





Friday, September 4, 2020

BMS 43 by Baker Manchester

Another 'Limited' pattern, Baker Manchester's  BMS 43 pattern has just a few pieces, such as the Demitasse Spoon and Five O'Clock Teaspoon.

Five O'Clock Teaspoon (5 1/8 inches)

Baker Manchester BMS43 (Sterling) Five O'Clock Teaspoon

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Avon by Fessenden

Fessenden's Avon pattern date back to 1900. 

Olive Spoon (6 3/8 inches)
Fessenden Avon (Sterling, 1900) Pierced Bowl Long Handle Olive Spoon

Butter Spreader (6 3/4 inches)

Fessenden Avon (Sterling, 1900) Flat Handle Master Butter Knife

Fruit Orange Spoon (5 1/2 inches)
Fessenden Avon (Sterling, 1900) Fruit/Orange Spoon

Monday, August 31, 2020

HMD4 by Hamilton and Diesinger

Hamilton and Diesinger's HMD4 pattern dates back to 1897.

Dinner Fork (7 5/8 inches)

Hamilton & Diesinger HMD4 Fork

Ice Cream Spoon (5 5/8 inches)

Hamilton & Diesinger HMD4 Ice Cream Spoon Individual

Small Berry Spoon ( 7 7/8 inches)

Hamilton & Diesinger HMD4 Small Solid Berry/Casserole Spoon

Friday, August 28, 2020

McKinley by Fessenden

Fessenden's McKinley pattern dates back to 1890. This is a lovely example of Victorian sterling with its ornate design.

Small Cold Meat Serving Fork (7 5/8 inches)

Fessenden Mckinley (Sterling, 1890) Small Solid Cold Meat Serving Fork

Preserve Spoon (5 7/8 inches)

Fessenden Mckinley (Sterling, 1890) Preserve Spoon
Lettuce Serving Fork (8 pieces)

Fessenden Mckinley (Sterling, 1890) Large Lettuce Serving Fork


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