Wm. Rogers & Son Victorious Pattern Silverplate Teaspoon
Flatware (Teaspoon) · Wm. Rogers & Son, a premium brand of the International Silver Company (IS). Originally founded in 1856 by William Rogers and his son, the brand became part of the International Silver conglomerate in 1898, known for durable, mass-market institutional and home flatware.
Pattern: Victorious pattern, introduced in 1945. It is a floral-themed mid-century pattern designed to celebrate the post-WWII era, featuring a distinctive cluster of flowers at the handle tip.
Type
Flatware (Teaspoon)
Maker
Wm. Rogers & Son, a premium brand of the International Silver Company (IS). Originally founded in 1856 by William Rogers and his son, the brand became part of the International Silver conglomerate in 1898, known for durable, mass-market institutional and home flatware.
Material
Silver plate over a base metal (likely nickel silver/cupronickel). The stamp 'REINFORCED PLATE' indicates extra silver thickness at high-wear points like the back of the bowl.
Dimensions
Approximately 6 inches (15.2 cm) in length. Estimated weight is 30-35 grams. This is a standard teaspoon size.
Description
A classic example of American post-war flatware, this Victorious pattern teaspoon by Wm. Rogers & Son (International Silver) balances mid-century simplicity with romantic floral detail. The handle tapers elegantly to a rounded terminal capped with a raised floral bouquet. While silver-plated, the 'Reinforced' stamp signifies a higher grade of consumer plating intended for daily family use. It represents the transition from heavy Victorian ornamentation to the cleaner lines of the 1950s.
Key Features
The 'IS' mark for International Silver, the 'Victorious' floral cluster, and the 'REINFORCED PLATE' technical stamping.
Material & Composition
Silver plate over a base metal (likely nickel silver/cupronickel). The stamp 'REINFORCED PLATE' indicates extra silver thickness at high-wear points like the back of the bowl.
Finish & Decoration
Satin and mirror-polished silver plate with a die-struck floral bouquet at the terminal. Design features a tapering handle with a V-shaped floral arrangement; late Art Deco influence mixed with traditional floral motifs.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped 'WM. A. ROGERS' (likely a variation of Wm. Rogers & Son mark for International Silver), followed by 'IS' (International Silver) inside a circle/shield, and 'REINFORCED PLATE' in capital block letters.
Construction Details
Machine-made/Die-struck. The piece was stamped from a sheet of base metal and then electroplated with silver. It features an integrated single-piece construction.
Functional Features
Standard oval spoon bowl for tea/coffee service; reinforced plating on the back of the neck and bowl to prevent 'heel wear' from frequent contact with surfaces.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid metal handle, flat and tapering toward the bowl. The floral decoration provides a slight tactile grip at the end.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality industrial mass production. The die-striking is crisp, and the reinforcement of the plating shows an attention to durability and consumer longevity typical of the era's American manufacturing.
Authentication Indicators
Characteristic factory stamps consistent with International Silver Company's mid-century branding. Pattern match verified to the 1945 Victorious catalog. Wear patterns indicate genuine age rather than modern reproduction.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States, likely manufactured in Meriden, Connecticut, at one of the International Silver Company’s primary factories.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern / Post-War Era (1940s). The pattern was created in 1945 to reflect the optimism and domestic focus of the era.
Age Estimate
Circa 1945-1955. The pattern was introduced in 1945, and the specific typeface of the 'IS' mark is consistent with mid-20th-century production.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the mid-20th-century American middle-class tradition of 'fine' dining with silver-plated sets, making luxury aesthetics accessible to a wider demographic during the post-war economic boom.
Condition Notes
Good to Fair condition. Significant tarnish (oxidation) is visible, along with surface abrasions and light 'pitting' common in silver plate. Light cleaning would improve appearance, though there may be 'silver loss' (bleeding of the base metal) on the high points of the floral design.
Value Estimate
$2.00 - $8.00 USD. Value is nominal as it is a common plated piece; value is primarily for replacement purposes in existing sets rather than silver bullion value.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a non-abrasive silver cream like Wright's. Avoid machine washing, as high heat and harsh detergents can strip thin silver plating. Store in a Pacific Silvercloth roll to prevent further oxidation.
Similar Pieces
Gorham's 'Gardenia' or Oneida's 'Morning Star'. Both are silver-plated floral patterns from the same era, but Gorham pieces often carry a sterling mark whereas this is explicitly plated.
Interesting Facts
The 'Victorious' pattern was named to celebrate the Allied victory in World War II. International Silver was one of the largest silver manufacturing syndicates in history, having consolidated many independent 19th-century silversmiths.