Wm. Rogers & Son Silverplated Flatware Piece
Flatware - Spoon or Fork · Wm. Rogers & Son, a well-known American silver-plating brand associated with the International Silver Company, famous for producing accessible and durable silverplated flatware for everyday American households.
Pattern: Unidentified standard commercial pattern, produced widely throughout the mid-20th century.
Type
Flatware - Spoon or Fork
Maker
Wm. Rogers & Son, a well-known American silver-plating brand associated with the International Silver Company, famous for producing accessible and durable silverplated flatware for everyday American households.
Material
Silver Plated (EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver), featuring a base metal of nickel brass or white metal alloy coated with a thin layer of pure silver.
Dimensions
Standard flatware dimensions typical of a dinner or luncheon fork/spoon, weight is consistent with standard silverplate construction.
Description
A functional mid-century American silverplated flatware piece bearing the clear hallmarks of the Wm. Rogers & Son brand under the International Silver Company umbrella. The piece exhibits standard commercial manufacturing traits intended for popular domestic utility rather than luxury presentation.
Key Features
Clear manufacturer hallmarks including the star symbol, 'IS' mark, and 'A1' plating quality indicator stamped cleanly into the shaft.
Material & Composition
Silver Plated (EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver), featuring a base metal of nickel brass or white metal alloy coated with a thin layer of pure silver.
Finish & Decoration
Standard commercial bright finish with minimal decorative elements visible on the shaft.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Marked with "IS" for International Silver, "A1" denoting standard quality silver plating, and "WM. ROGERS & S*" with a star hallmark, indicating production by Wm. Rogers & Son.
Construction Details
Machine-made, die-struck from a base metal alloy blank and subsequently electroplated with silver.
Functional Features
Standard domestic flatware designed for daily dining use.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid handle formed from the base metal blank, featuring a simple tapered shape for standard ergonomics.
Craftsmanship Details
Industrial mass-production quality, utilizing die-cutting and electroplating technologies standard to mid-20th century American silversmithing factories.
Authentication Indicators
Authentic manufacturer stamps ('IS', 'A1', 'Wm. Rogers & Son') are crisply impressed, matching known archival stamping practices of the International Silver Company.
Origin & Manufacturing
Made in the United States, manufactured by the International Silver Company factories in Connecticut.
Era & Period
Mid-20th Century (c. 1930-1960), typical of post-Depression and mid-century American domestic flatware production.
Age Estimate
Circa 1930s to 1950s, inferred from the specific combination of the IS mark and Wm. Rogers & Son stamp.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of dining aesthetics in America, allowing middle-class households to set tables with bright, silver-appearance flatware previously reserved for the wealthy.
Condition Notes
Moderate surface tarnish, minor scratches, and signs of use consistent with vintage household flatware. Plating appears largely intact with minor wear along high-friction points.
Value Estimate
Low market value (typically $2 to $10 per individual piece), primarily valued for replacement sets or crafting rather than precious metal bullion value.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with mild soap and warm water, polish gently with a specialized silver-plating cream (such as Wright's or Hagerty) and store in tarnish-resistant cloth to preserve the thin silver layer.
Similar Pieces
Various silverplated flatware items from contemporaneous brands like Oneida, Holmes & Edwards, and other International Silver subsidiaries.
Interesting Facts
The Rogers family name became synonymous with silver plating in America after innovations in electroplating in the mid-19th century, leading to numerous brand iterations including the famous '1847 Rogers Bros.' and 'Wm. Rogers & Son'.