In 1848, Gorham silver
Gorham Manufacturing Company
The Gorham Manufacturing Company is one of the largest American manufacturers of sterling and silverplate and a foundry for bronze sculpture.
Full Answer
Is Gorham silver worth anything?
Is Gorham silver worth anything?Recent examples with strong provenance have sold for over $20,000, though many smaller pieces have sold between $1,000 to $10,000 dollars, depending on demand and condition.
How to identify sterling silver hallmarks?
To locate it in different items, check:
- Bottom of silver trays, bowls, teapots and dishes
- Back of silver flatware
- Bottom of candlesticks, figurines, vases and decorative pieces
- Near the clasp of necklaces and chains
- And inside of rings and cuff bracelets.
What is value of Gorham Silver?
Gorham Revere Silver Bowl & Candlesticks. Includes sterling bowl with a pair of Gorham weighted candlesticks. Condition: very good. Weight: 25.1 troy ounces. Size: Bowl 9" in diameter. Value: $351 (Morphy Auctions - 8/09) Gorham Revere Silver Bowl & Candlesticks - Morphy Auctions.
How to identify sterling silver vs. plated silver?
Silver Plated vs Sterling Silver
- Composition. There is a huge difference between silver plated items and sterling silver in terms of their composition.
- Identification. ...
- Appearance and Weight. ...
- Durability. ...
- Price and Value. ...
How is Gorham silver marked?
Early Gorham Silver Marks The earliest mark seen on Gorham pieces is that which features an anchor flanked by both a lion and a letter “G”. This straightforward mark was used for the first twenty years of Gorham's production with little modification.
Is Gorham sterling real silver?
In 1863, Gorham was a major player in plated silver. In 1868, they had made the switch from coin silver for sterling silver and produced everything from knives, forks and spoons, to other desired pieces such as coffee pots and serving bowls.
How do you date Gorham silver flatware?
In 1940, Gorham silver marks began changing every decade to include the year inscribed within a polygon, which had the same number of sides as the decade itself. For instance, if a piece was from 1945, its mark would feature the number “5” inscribed within a four-sided shape to reflect the 1940 decade.
How do you identify silver's makers marks?
The standard mark identifies your item as being silver. The mark for sterling silver is the lion passant or the lion passant guardant. Both look like a lion in profile. On earlier pieces of silver the lion is looking toward you, and this is a lion passant guardant.
How can you tell if sterling silver is real?
Sterling Silver Marks and Numbers The easiest way to tell if sterling silver is real is by finding the imprint on your piece. Rings, necklaces, and bracelets made of sterling silver will have a “925” stamp somewhere. On rings, the stamp is usually on the inside band.
Is Gorham silver still being made?
A new show at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum, in Providence, reveals why the various and sundry creations of the Gorham Manufacturing Company still shine.
What are the marks for sterling silver?
In the United States, sterling silver is classified as containing 92.5% or more silver, which is why you might see “sterling” or “925” stamped at the bottom of an authentic sterling silver piece. That's the key identifier that a piece is sterling silver.
What is the most popular sterling silver pattern?
The Most Popular Silver PatternsGrand Baroque. by Wallace. It was first created in 1941 and is still active today.Chantilly. by Gorham. ... Old Master. by Towle. ... Prelude. by International. ... Rose Point. by Wallace. ... Repousse. by Kirk Stieff. ... Francis I. by Reed and Barton. ... Royal Danish. by International.More items...•
Is Gorham sterling still in business?
The end came in 1967 when Textron purchased the Gorham Manufacturing Company. Gorham ceased operating as an independent business and the new owners started reducing the quality of Gorham's traditionally high-end products in an attempt to regain marketshare, an attempt that was ultimately unsuccessful.
Is there an app to identify silver hallmarks?
Miller's Silver Marks app is the only product that will enable you to identify an unknown piece of silver from any country around the world – quickly and confidently. It is an essential tool for collectors, academics, dealers and students.
What are the 5 standard silver. Marks?
There are 5 standard marks found on British Silver:The walking lion for all sterling silver made in England.The standing lion for all sterling silver made in Glasgow.The thistle for for all sterling silver made in Edinburgh.The crowned harp for all sterling silver made in Dublin.More items...
What do the symbols mean on silver?
A1 and AA: These discreet markings indicate the number of ounces of pure silver used in the plating. There's two ounces per gross of teaspoons for A1, and three ounces for AA.
What is the hallmark on a Gorham silver?
Hallmarks on the silver pieces were not consistent in the first few years. In 1848, Gorham silver marks consisted of a lion, anchor, and the letter “ G .”. Then, from 1848 through about 1860, the lion marking faced left, but instead of their previous direction, facing right.
What is Gorham Silver?
Knowing when you have Gorham Silver – The Gorham Manufacturing Company is one of America’s largest manufacturers of silver-plate and sterling pieces, along with a foundry for bronze sculpture. Gorham got it’s start in 1831 ...
How many years did Gorham make decades?
Following a six-year gap, Gorham made decades identifiable by a polygon, with the number of sides on the polygon representing the decade that it was — four for the 1940s, five for the ’50s and so on, and labeled with a specific number inside the polygon for the actual year.
Where did Gorham silver start?
The two founded the silver company in Gorham’s hometown of Providence, Rhode Island. Their beginning was as a manufacturer of coin-silver flatware in which Gorham started to gain acclaim, especially in 1859 once the flatware was selected by Mary Todd Lincoln for ...
When did Gorham use the sterling standard?
When it came to dating the pieces by the year, Gorham embraced the sterling standard in 1868 and marks for each year were added. Pieces created between 868 and 1884 were marked with capital letters. Then, from 1885 to 1933, icons were used, such as a wolf head or a parachute.
When did Gorham silver come out?
In 1863 , Gorham was a major player in plated silver. In 1868, they had made the switch from coin silver for sterling silver and produced everything from knives, forks and spoons, to other desired pieces such as coffee pots and serving bowls.
What is the number of a sterling tea set?
Sterling tea sets and some other hollowware items manufactured by Gorham, were assigned numbers in a decimal sequence. For example, the earliest tea set design was assigned the number ten, the second tea set was assigned the number twenty, and so on.
Who was the head of the Gorham Company?
Jabez Gorham did not take full advantage of this opportunity, but in 1847 Jabez retired and his son, John Gorham, succeeded him as head of the company. John Gorham was a man of notable foresight, he introduced mechanized production methods, enlarged the premises in downtown Providence, improved the designs, and expanded the product line.
Where was the Gorham Manufacturing Company located?
In 1890 the company relocated to a factory on Adelaide Avenue in Providence.
What was the chief product of Jabez Gorham?
The firm's chief product was silver spoons although they also made thimbles, combs, jewelry, and other small items. In 1842, a tariff which effectively blocked the importation of silverware from outside the United States was passed, which served as an impetous to the American silver industry. Jabez Gorham did not take full advantage ...
Who bought Gorham Silver Plate?
After decades of struggle, in 1967, Gorham was acquired by Textron. In 1989, it was sold to Dansk International Designs, then to the Brown-Foreman Corporation in 1991, and, finally, to Department 56 in 2005. How much is your Gorham Silver Plate Worth? View more in our Price Guide.
When was Gorham founded?
Gorham has come quite a long way since its origin in 1831. By the mid-19th century, it grew into one of the largest companies in its industry, and the early 20th century witnessed its acquisition of many rivals and competitors. The genesis of this giant traces back to Jabez Gorham, born in 1792, who, at 14 years old, ...
What is the Gorham Corporation?
A tremendously important producer of wares in sterling silver and silver plate, the Gorham Corporation began humbly but ambitiously. It has gone by many names over its long existence—Gorham & Webster from 1831 to 1837; Gorham, Webster & Price from 1837 to 1841; J. Gorham & Son from 1841 to 1850; Gorham & Thurber from 1850 to 1852; Gorham & Company from 1852 to 1865; Gorham Manufacturing Company from 1865 to 1961; and, finally, the Gorham Corporation from 1961 to present day. Gorham has come quite a long way since its origin in 1831. By the mid-19th century, it grew into one of the largest companies in its industry, and the early 20th century witnessed its acquisition of many rivals and competitors.
What is M.A.P.S. in jewelry?
M.A.P.S. (Marks, Autographs, Patterns, and Symbols) The Gorham Corporation has utilized many different marks over its more-than-a-century-long existence. As of 1868, the company adhered to the sterling standard of dating its wares. Note that, from 1933 to 1941, the addition of the year of manufacture of a particular silver-plated item was suspended.
Who was Jabez Gorham?
Jabez Gorham was learning from one of the very best in his field. In 1831, at the age of 21, Gorham partnered with Henry Webster, founding their new company, Gorham & Webster, in the hometown of the former—Providence, Rhode Island. Merely seven years after its inception, the firm employed 450 individuals.
Who made silver plates for the White House?
Gorham Corporation Silver Plate - What to Look For. Gorham truly gained a great deal of recognition when, in 1859, First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln selected one of its own flatware sets to adorn the White House dinner table.
Who invented the gilding technique?
Among other metalsmithing methods, Dodge had invented a gilding technique that was so effective, and became so popular, that he is credited with being half the reason Rhode Island developed a jewelry industry at all. Jabez Gorham was learning from one of the very best in his field.