Did Gorham make silver plate?
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 the White House. In 1863, Gorham was a major player in plated silver.
What is nickel silver silverware worth?
Given that nickel silver has no actual silver content, it is not worth anything to precious metal refiners. Unfortunately, there is nothing of value to extract. With that being said, your pieces still might be worth something if you try to sell them on eBay or to a scrap metal dealer. Good luck!
What is Werth more silver or sterling silver?
Pros of sterling silver
- It has a more attractive look and classical finish.
- Offers more versatility and malleability.
- It can take a variety of colours and finished according to your preference.
- Even Sterling silver tarnish faster, it can be brought back to the original look quickly.
- It is highly durable compared to other types except for stainless steel.
What does a Gorham Silver original mean?
The tradition of Gorham fine silver began in New England in 1831 when Jabez Gorham began making coin silver spoons. Today, the company continues to produce a variety of tableware, including its famous silver. You may have pieces of Gorham silverware that have been collected or inherited.
Is Gorham real silver?
While Jabez Gorham and Henry Webster produced the first pieces from coin-silver in 1831, some people choose to concentrate on the period after designer William J. Codman joined the company in 1891. Most of those pieces were made from sterling silver.
Is Gorham silver real silver or silver plated?
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 silver flatware worth?
And yet, those rarely used utensils can be quite valuable, depending on the purity and weight of silver that they contain. A typical 32-piece sterling silver flatware set can easily bring you $800 to $1,200.
How do you know if old silver is valuable?
Determine If the Pieces are Sterling or Silver-plated Inspect the pieces looking for markings such as “925,” “. 925” or “sterling” for pieces made in the U.S. These pieces are usually darker in color and are naturally lighter in weight. Sterling silver pieces have intrinsic value, and can often be resold.
How do I identify Gorham sterling silver?
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.
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.
Is now a good time to sell silver flatware?
Silver prices are a reaching a record high this year. If you have antique silver flatware, serving pieces, or jewelry that you are looking it sell, this is a good time to look up local silver buyers. In this article, we will look at ways to sell your antique silver in 2021 for the best price.
What is the best way to sell my sterling silver flatware?
Just as you might sell gold or platinum, you can sell silver in a number of ways. The most common of these is to bring your silver to a local pawn shop, a silver exchange, a consignment shop, a local jeweler, or by using an online website.
What is the best place to sell silver?
10 Best Places to Sell SilverCoin Shops.Consignment Stores.Craigslist.eBay.Jewelry Stores.Online Bullion Retailer.Pawn Shops.Refinery.More items...•
What markings are on real silver?
The vast majority of items made from sterling silver contain a quality mark, a stamp placed in a discreet spot that denotes its purity. These marks will say ". 925" or "925" or "S925" or sometimes "Sterling." Along with the quality mark, a hallmark (the maker's registered mark) must also be placed on the piece.
How can you tell if something is solid silver or silver plated?
Check the colouring of the item carefully; genuine silver is generally less shiny and colder in tone than silverplate. If you see places where the silver appears to be flaking off or turning green, the item is silver plated.
How do you test silver at home with vinegar?
Some people try to save money by using vinegar instead of acid but vinegar won't give you accurate results. For this test, you just put a drop of acid on your silver item. If the acid turns the wrong color then it's fake. If it turns the correct color then the silver is real.
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.
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.
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, ...
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 made sterling silver?
William Comyns Sterling Silver. Gorham Silverware is regarded as some of the finest in the world, used in the White House by many administrations dating back to Abraham Lincoln. The master craftsman, Jabez Gorham, founded the company in Providence, Rhode Island in 1831.
How much silver was used in the 1900 Tiffany vase?
The spectacular vase used more than 2,000 ounces of sterling silver. The Martelé line beat Tiffany in the silver furniture category of the 1900 World Fair. A Gorham silver presentation pitcher sold at Cowan auctions in 2014 for $9,000.
When did Gorham silver start?
Beginning in 1863, Gorham became a powerhouse in plated silver, and it left coin silver behind for sterling silver in 1868, producing everything from flatware such as knives, forks, and spoons to hollowware pieces ranging from coffee pots to serving bowls.
How to date a piece of Gorham silver?
To date a piece of Gorham silver, one must decode the hallmarks on the back or bottom of each piece. While the company’s marks were inconsistent for its first few years, beginning in 1848, Gorham pieces were marked with a triad including a lion, an anchor, and a capital “G.”.
What was the most famous piece of furniture that Gorham created?
Gorham even created signature show pieces in the hand-hammered Martelé style, most famously a silver dressing table and cushioned stool, which beat Tiffany in the silver furniture category at the 1900 Paris World Fair.
What flatware was made by Gorham?
Other successful flatware patterns made by Gorham include the Rococo-style Strasbourg, first produced in 1897, the floral-accented Buttercup (1899), and King Edward (1936).
Where is Jabez Gorham from?
In 1831, Jabez Gorham partnered with Henry Webster to found the silver company that bears his name in his native Providence, Rhode Island. Originally a manufacturer of coin-silver flatware as well as small items like buttons, thimbles, and combs ,...
How much silver is in a century vase?
Made from more than 2,000 oz of sterling silver, the Century Vase’s presentation at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia gave the company additional good publicity. However, Gorham’s mass-produced sterling flatware was also priced so that the middle class could afford it.
When did Gorham use the sterling standard?
Until around 1860, the lion faced left, but subsequent lions faced right. Beginning in 1868, the year Gorham embraced the sterling standard, marks denoting the year were also added. For example, pieces from 1868 through 1884 were marked with capital letters. Icons were used from 1885 (a wolf head) to 1933 (a parachute).
What was Gorham's silverware?
Gorham dominated American silver from the late 19th century to the 20th century. But creating and crafting beautiful and functional silverware is only part of the story. So talented and skilled were Gorham’s artisans that they were often commissioned to create one-of-a-kind masterpieces and other important designs.
What awards did Gorham win?
Gorham won the Grand Prize Medal, Gold Medal and many other international awards.
What was the largest commission Gorham ever received?
The largest single commission Gorham ever received was the famous Furber service. Ordered by Colonel Henry Jewett Furber, the president of Universal Life Insurance Company of New York, the 740-piece service embodies the opulence of high Victorian dining.
What was Gorham's biggest commission?
In addition to crafting for Admiral George Dewey in 1899. The largest single commission Gorham ever received was the famous Furber service. Ordered by Colonel Henry Jewett Furber, the president of Universal Life Insurance Company of New York, the 740-piece service embodies the opulence of high Victorian dining.
What is the Gorham hallmark?
Now entering its third century, the Gorham hallmark has been recognized as a symbol of excellence. In a world of constant change, some things should never change – like maintaining and, if possible, elevating the highest standards of workmanship.
What was the name of the trophies that Gorham designed?
These included the Borg-Warner Trophy for the Indianapolis 500, the Davis Cup for tennis and the America’s Cup for yachting.
Who was Jabez Gorham?
History of Gorham. Company History: One of eight children, Jabez Gorham was born on February 18, 1792. A few years after his father’s death, Jabez was apprenticed at age 14 to Nehemiah Dodge, one of the founders of the silverware and jewelry industry in 18th-century New England.