For many years, doing business as Silver Season, I bought and sold American silverplate, an important industrial product in the late 19th and early 20th century. In the pages listed here, I share some of what I have learned.
International Silver provides background information about the company and its products.
Learning tells you how to find out about American silver, as well as the people who buy and sell it.
Oneida links you to history and examples from this innovative American silver company.
Resources links you to important information resources.
Hello!
I am new at this so don’t know where to start. First I am looking for a list (or lists?) of American silver plate patterns. Or, I would like a fully illustrated listing of patterns – on line, in books, and? or…..
Which books will be of most use in identifying old (very old) patterns of silver plate – mostly American? Is there an online community sharing information (and enthusiasm) for old silver plate? If so, how do I get in touch?
Any help or direction you can give me will be most welcome.
Cheers! ( and THANK YOU!)
Verna R. Little – in beautiful (and very cold) Ithaca, New York
There are two books that are very helpful and not expensive: Rainwater’s Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers and Tere Hagan’s Silverplate Flatware. Rainwater shows many marks and Hagan has a useful index of marks and manufacturers. Here is the link to my book list: http://silverseason.wordpress.com/american-silverplate/learning/books-about-silver/. With these two books you can identify most patterns of American silverplate.
There are also some good resources on the Internet, but it takes some experience to use them and none are as well organized as the two books. For more, try this link: http://silverseason.wordpress.com/american-silverplate/resources/silver-links/. I sometimes use the Replacements Ltd site to confirm a questionable identification, but you need to know the manufacturer and pattern name.
Great site! I’m doing some research on a partial set of silver-plate I received as we cleaned out my grandmother’s house. I am 99.9% sure it is Wm. Rogers Guild/Cadence pattern (1932). I’m trying to figure out two things — first, during what years this pattern was sold (I’m guessing it was purchased sometime in the late 30′s/early 40′s) and second, what a complete set would have included. This appears to be a set for 8, but I’m not positive, and it’s not in its original case, so I can’t use the space available for guidance.
Are their resources you could recommend that would offer this sort of information? Thanks!
Some of your questions I have answered by email. The questions of what was a silver “set” often comes up.
Silver service sets have varied a lot over the years. In older patterns, the standard set was usually service for six, but during the 1930s it was usually for eight. A common set would be
8 dinner or viande knives
8 dinner or viande forks
8 salad forks
8 teaspoons
2 serving spoons
butter knife
sugar spoon
To this was often added
8 soup spoons
8 additional teaspoons
other serving pieces.
The silver companies wanted to sell silver so they didn’t like to make the standard set too big. Buyers could always add to the set, and were expected to do so.
I am collecting Floral by Wallace, do you know how many different pieces were made in this pattern? Do you know if there is a list of the pieces? I have a nice collection but am still surprized with a new piece occasionally.
Thank you for any help you can give me.
Sorry, I have no special information. It is a beautiful and interesting pattern. I suggest you contact some dealers and also the Replacements Ltd. website. Their inventory lists are often helpful and they have a consumer-advisory service.