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, June 12, 2020

Love's Dream by Unger

Unger's 1904 Love's Dream pattern is one of the many Unger patterns with a romantic theme.

Teaspoon (5 7/8 inches)
Unger Brothers Loves Dream (Sterling, 1904) Monogram Teaspoon

Youth Tea Fork (6 inches)
Unger Brothers Loves Dream (Sterling, 1904) Solid Youth Tea Fork

Youth Tea Knife (7 1/4 inches)
Unger Brothers Loves Dream (Sterling, 1904) Youth/Tea Knife with Stainless Blade

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Gossamer by Gorham

Gorham's Gossamer pattern dates back to 1965 and was designed by J. Russell Price. The tapered design is very simple with the exception of a small leaf design at the bottom if the stem. Price also designed King Edward  for Gorham (1936),   Chapel Bells for Alvin (1939), Epic by Gorham, as well as Greenbrier for Gorham (1938).


Sugar Spoon (6 inches)

Gorham Silver Gossamer (Sterling, 1965, No Monograms) Sugar Spoon

Short Handled Pickle Fork (6 inches)

Gorham Silver Gossamer (Sterling, 1965, No Monograms) Short Handle Pickle/Olive Fork

Sugar Tongs (3 7/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Gossamer (Sterling, 1965, No Monograms) Sugar Tongs

Gravy Ladle (7 inches)

Gorham Silver Gossamer (Sterling, 1965, No Monograms) Solid Gravy Ladle


Monday, June 8, 2020

Regent by Gorham

Gorham's Regent pattern dates back to 1892.

Sugar Shell (5 7/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Regent (Sterling, 1892) Sugar Shell Spoon

Asparagus Serving Fork (9 inches)
Gorham Silver Regent (Sterling, 1892) Large Solid Asparagus Serving Fork

Master Butter Knife (7 7/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Regent (Sterling, 1892) Flat Handle Bright Cut Master Butter


Friday, June 5, 2020

Montclair by Gorham

In 1908 Gorham introduced their Montclair pattern. I was thrilled when I stumbled across this pattern. 



Gorham Silver Montclair (Sterling, 1908) Five O'Clock Spoon

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Lady Washington by Gorham

Gorham's Lady Washington pattern dates back to 1876.

Fish Knife (7 1/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Lady Washington (Sterling, 1876) Small Individual Solid Fish Knife

Demitasse Spoon (4 1/4 inches)

Gorham Silver Lady Washington (Sterling, 1876) Demitasse Spoon

Ice Cream Fork (5 3/8 inches)


Gorham Silver Lady Washington (Sterling, 1876) Ice Cream Fork
Sugar Shell (5 3/4 inches)

Gorham Silver Lady Washington (Sterling, 1876) Sugar Shell Spoon


Monday, June 1, 2020

Griswold by Gorham

Gorham's Griswold pattern was introduced in 1922. It was designed by William C. Codman. Other Gorham patterns designed by Codman Other Codman designed Patterns include  Florentine, Etruscan, Fleury, Tuileries, Albemarle, New Queens, Spotswood, and Imperial Chrysanthemum. 

Dinner Fork (7 5/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Griswold (Sterling,1922) Fork

Gumbo Soup Spoon (6 7/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Griswold (Sterling,1922) Round Bowl Soup Spoon (Gumbo)


Dinner Knife HH (8 7/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Griswold (Sterling,1922) Old French Hollow Knife with Bolster


Friday, May 29, 2020

Elmwood by Gorham

Gorham's Elmwood pattern dates back to 1894.

Teaspoon (5 7/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Elmwood (Sterling,1894) Teaspoon


Dinner Knife HH (9 5/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Elmwood (Sterling,1894) New French Hollow Knife

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Princess Ingrid by Frank Whiting

Frank Whiting's Princess Ingrid pattern dates back to 1945 and is Art Deco in design.

Cocktail Fork (5 5/8 inches)

Frank Whiting Princess Ingrid (Sterling) Cocktail/Seafood Fork

Pie Server (10 inches)

Frank Whiting Princess Ingrid (Sterling) Pie Server with Stainless Blade




Pierced Casserole Spoon (9 1/4 inches)

Frank Whiting Princess Ingrid (Sterling) Solid Pierced Casserole Spoon

Butter Spreader (6 1/8 inches)

Frank Whiting Princess Ingrid (Sterling) Hollow Handle Paddle Butter Spreader (Solid)

Monday, May 25, 2020

Princess Fuchsia by Frigast

Frigast's Princess Fuchsia is an art deco design. And for WIW, the name refers to the flower of the same name. Note the design at the bottom of the stem.

Dinner Fork  (7 1/4 inches)

Frigast Princess Fuchsia (Sterling) Fork


Cream Soup Spoon (6 3/8 inches)

Frigast Princess Fuchsia (Sterling) Round Bowl Soup Spoon (Cream Soup)

Butter Spreader (6 inches)

Frigast Princess Fuchsia (Sterling) Hollow Handle Paddle Butter Spreader (Solid)

Bottle Opener (5 5/8 inches)

Frigast Princess Fuchsia (Sterling) Bottle Opener with Stainless Bowl

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Cambridge Gold by Old Newbury

A pattern by a little known company, Old Newbury, Cambridge Gold dates back to only 1976 (relatively new for a sterling pattern). 

Dinner Fork (European Size)  8 1/4 inches
Old Newbury Cambridge Gold (Sterling, Gold Accent) European Fork