1847 Rogers Bros Heritage Pattern Silverplate Fork
Flatware - Fork · 1847 Rogers Bros, a premier brand of the International Silver Company. Founded by the Rogers brothers (Asa, William, Simeon), it is historically the most famous name in American silverplate.
Pattern: Heritage pattern, introduced in 1953 by 1847 Rogers Bros (International Silver). It is a popular mid-century floral traditional pattern now discontinued.
Type
Flatware - Fork
Maker
1847 Rogers Bros, a premier brand of the International Silver Company. Founded by the Rogers brothers (Asa, William, Simeon), it is historically the most famous name in American silverplate.
Material
Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS). It features a layer of silver electro-deposited over a base metal of nickel silver (copper, nickel, and zinc). This is not solid sterling silver.
Dimensions
Estimated length approximately 7.25 to 7.5 inches for a dinner fork. Weight is typical for heavy-gauge silverplate, roughly 50-60 grams.
Description
This fork represents the quintessential mid-century American dining experience. The Heritage pattern by 1847 Rogers Bros combines the reliability of industrial manufacturing with the romantic, ornate flourishes of traditional silver mastery. It features a sweeping handle silhouette accented by intricate floral bunches, designed to bring an air of elegance to the domestic table without the high cost of solid sterling.
Key Features
Distinctive '1847 ROGERS BROS' stamp; 'Heritage' floral motif; 'IS' logo; high-quality heavy silver plating typical of mid-20th century American production.
Material & Composition
Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS). It features a layer of silver electro-deposited over a base metal of nickel silver (copper, nickel, and zinc). This is not solid sterling silver.
Finish & Decoration
Mirror polish with ornate floral chased decoration at the handle terminal. The Heritage pattern is characterized by its scrolling leaf and floral motifs in the Neoclassical/Rococo Revival style.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped '1847 ROGERS BROS' and 'IS'. The 'IS' stands for International Silver Company. Note: The '1847' is many times mistaken for the manufacture date, but it is actually the brand name/founding year.
Construction Details
Die-struck and machine-manufactured. The piece is forged from a base metal blank and then electroplated in a silver bath.
Functional Features
Standard four-tine flatware design with a flared handle for ergonomic grip; no mechanical features. Integrated 'IS' mark signifies a 20th-century production run.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid construction with a shaped, decorative handle terminal. The floral design is raised on the front and typically carries over to the back of the handle.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality industrial craftsmanship. The die-striking is deep and clear, and the plating is thick enough to withstand decades of normal use without wearing through to the nickel base.
Authentication Indicators
The stamp is crisp and perfectly consistent with International Silver's mid-century marking dies. Lack of a 'Sterling' or '.925' mark confirms this as silverplate.
Origin & Manufacturing
Meriden, Connecticut, USA. Manufactured by the International Silver Company, which consolidated several master silversmiths under one corporate umbrella.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern (Post-War Traditionalism). While made in the 1950s, the design language is a 'Heritage' revival of earlier 19th-century Victorian floral aesthetics.
Age Estimate
Circa 1953-1970. The hallmark style and 'IS' logo indicate production after the pattern's launch in 1953.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of luxury in post-WWII America. Silverplate allowed middle-class families to own high-design table service that mimicked the look of aristocratic sterling silver.
Condition Notes
Very Good. Visible minor surface scratches (patina) consistent with moderate use. No 'plate loss' or 'bleeding' (where base metal shows through) is visible in the image. Light tarnish in the recessed areas of the hallmarks.
Value Estimate
$3 - $8 per piece. Silverplate has low intrinsic metal value compared to sterling, so price is driven largely by replacements for collectors finishing a set.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver cream like Wright's. Avoid the dishwasher, as high heat and harsh detergents can damage the silver layer and cause 'clouding'. Store in a tarnish-resistant chest or bag.
Similar Pieces
Wallace 'Grand Baroque' (Sterling alternative), Oneida 'Damask Rose' (Competitor silverplate), International Silver 'Flair' (a more modern pattern from the same maker).
Interesting Facts
The '1847' in the name refers to the year the Rogers brothers perfected the electroplating process, not the year the item was made. This brand was famously advertised in mid-century magazines as the silver one 'must have' for a proper wedding trousseau.