Simeon L. & George H. Rogers Company Silver Plate Serving Piece
Flatware - Serving Piece (likely a Tomato Server, Cranberry Server, or Pastry Server) · Simeon L. & George H. Rogers Company. This firm was established in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1900. It was formed by the sons of Simeon Rogers (one of the original Rogers brothers). The company was eventually acquired by Oneida Ltd. in 1929.
Pattern: Specific pattern is an ornate floral and scroll design common to the early 20th century; the scalloped edge of the server blade suggests a fruit or pastry service motif.
Type
Flatware - Serving Piece (likely a Tomato Server, Cranberry Server, or Pastry Server)
Maker
Simeon L. & George H. Rogers Company. This firm was established in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1900. It was formed by the sons of Simeon Rogers (one of the original Rogers brothers). The company was eventually acquired by Oneida Ltd. in 1929.
Material
Silver Plate (Electroplated Nickel Silver/EPNS). The mark "AI" denotes a standard plating quality (Extra Plate), where a specific amount of pure silver is electrodeposited over a base metal alloy (typically nickel, copper, and zinc).
Dimensions
Estimated length: 7 to 9 inches (standard for servers). Estimated weight: 60-90 grams. Note: as a plated piece, the weight does not reflect silver value.
Description
A classic American electroplated serving piece featuring the distinctive branding of the Rogers family legacy. The piece showcases deep relief casting in the handle and a broad, decorative server face. It represents the democratization of silver in the American home during the early 1900s, where silver plate provided the look of sterling at a fraction of the cost.
Key Features
The 'AI' quality stamp and the full 'Simeon L. & George H. Rogers' text. The scalloped edges of the server blade are a diagnostic feature of specialty serving flatware.
Material & Composition
Silver Plate (Electroplated Nickel Silver/EPNS). The mark "AI" denotes a standard plating quality (Extra Plate), where a specific amount of pure silver is electrodeposited over a base metal alloy (typically nickel, copper, and zinc).
Finish & Decoration
The item features an ornate, die-struck embossed handle with foliate and scroll motifs. The blade shows a scalloped or 'fretted' edge design. Surface exhibits a high-polish finish with natural oxidation (tarnish) in the recessed areas of the design.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped 'SIMEON L. & GEORGE H. ROGERS COMPANY AI' on the reverse of the handle neck. It also includes the 'P.R. CO.' mark, which often indicates production by Oneida under the Rogers brand name during the transitional manufacturing period.
Construction Details
Machine-made and die-struck. The pattern was stamped into the metal using high-pressure steel dies. The piece is a single unit construction with the blade and handle forged as one piece of base metal before being electroplated.
Functional Features
Wide, flat blade with scalloped edges designed for lifting delicate foods like sliced tomatoes, pastries, or jellied cranberry sauce. The shaped handle provides leverage for serving.
Handle & Grip Details
Tapered handle with a 'fiddle' style neck that widens into a decorative terminal. The grip is integrated and solid, made of the same plated base metal as the head.
Craftsmanship Details
Standard industrial production of the era. The die-striking is crisp, but the finishing is machine-aided. The plating was applied for durability consistent with daily household use.
Authentication Indicators
The hallmarks are clear and consistent with known Oneida/Rogers production marks. The wear pattern (heavy on the back of the bowl/neck) is consistent with authentic vintage silver plate usage.
Origin & Manufacturing
USA; originally Hartford, Connecticut, later produced in Wallingford or Oneida, New York, following company mergers.
Era & Period
Early 20th Century (approx. 1900–1920). Stylistically sits between the Late Victorian 'flower power' era and the more structured Edwardian period.
Age Estimate
Circa 1900–1929. The specific maker's mark was most active during the first three decades of the 20th century before the Oneida brand consolidation.
Cultural Significance
Represents the rise of specialized dining etiquette in the United States, where unique silver shapes were created for every possible food item, from sardines to cucumbers.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Visible 'plate wear' where the silver has worn thin on high points, revealing the yellowish nickel silver base metal beneath. Significant surface scratching and moderate tarnish/sulfide deposits are present.
Value Estimate
$5.00 - $15.00 USD. Silver-plated individual serving pieces of this era are common and hold value primarily for people completing specific family patterns.
Care & Maintenance
Wash by hand with mild soap and water. Use a non-abrasive silver cream (like Wright's) only when necessary, as over-polishing will eventually remove the remaining silver plating and expose the base metal.
Similar Pieces
1847 Rogers Bros (International Silver), Wm. Rogers & Son, and Gorham silver plate lines. Unlike sterling pieces, these are primarily valued for their utility and patterns rather than metal content.
Interesting Facts
The 'Rogers' name was so valuable in the 19th and 20th centuries that dozens of companies formed by various family members and competitors fought legal battles over the right to use it. This particular branch was one of the many 'genuine' Rogers derivatives.