1847 Rogers Bros AI Silver-Plated Tablespoon
Flatware - Tablespoon or Serving Spoon · 1847 Rogers Bros, a primary brand of the International Silver Company (merged 1898). The Rogers brothers were pioneers of the electroplating process in America.
Pattern: Unidentified simple rounded handle; consistent with early 20th-century standard utility patterns.
Type
Flatware - Tablespoon or Serving Spoon
Maker
1847 Rogers Bros, a primary brand of the International Silver Company (merged 1898). The Rogers brothers were pioneers of the electroplating process in America.
Material
Silver Plate (Electroplated Nickel Silver). The 'AI' stamp indicates 'Extra Plate,' meaning it has a higher-than-average deposit of silver over a base metal (usually a nickel-copper-zinc alloy).
Dimensions
Estimated 7-8 inches in length. Standard tablespoon/serving spoon size. Not weighed, but typically feels heavier than sterling due to the base metal density.
Description
A classic specimen of American industrial silver plate, this 1847 Rogers Bros spoon represents the democratization of fine dining. Once a gleaming staple of a middle-class table, it shows the honest wear of decades of use.
Key Features
The '1847' date mark (often mistaken for the real age) and the 'AI' quality designation. Durable industrial construction typical of International Silver.
Material & Composition
Silver Plate (Electroplated Nickel Silver). The 'AI' stamp indicates 'Extra Plate,' meaning it has a higher-than-average deposit of silver over a base metal (usually a nickel-copper-zinc alloy).
Finish & Decoration
Polished silver finish with minimal decoration; features a simple drop at the base of the bowl and a classic flared handle. Currently showing heavy oxidation and 'plate loss' revealing the yellowish base metal.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped '1847 ROGERS BROS AI' followed by a circled symbol. '1847' refers to the year the process was perfected, not the manufacture date. 'AI' is a quality grade for the thickness of the plating.
Construction Details
Machine-stamped/die-struck from a sheet of nickel silver and then electroplated in a silver bath.
Functional Features
Large, deep oval bowl intended for serving vegetables or as a large dining spoon.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid one-piece construction. The handle is flat and tapers toward the bowl with a slight ergonomic curve.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality industrial manufacturing. Die-stamping provides clean, consistent lines, though it lacks the hand-finished 'soul' of artisan sterling silver.
Authentication Indicators
Clear, authentic factory stamps. Wear patterns on the high points and 'heel' are consistent with genuine silver plate of this age.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States; Meriden, Connecticut. Manufactured by International Silver Co. in the traditions of the New England silver industrial hub.
Era & Period
Early 20th Century / Edwardian context (approx. 1900-1925). A time of mass production for the middle-class American household.
Age Estimate
Circa 1900-1930. The stamp style and 'AI' mark were most prevalent during the early decades of the 20th century.
Cultural Significance
Represents the shift from handmade sterling silver for the elite to high-quality plated wares accessible to the general public during the Industrial Revolution.
Condition Notes
Fair to Poor. Significant 'heel wear' on the back of the bowl where the silver plate has worn through to the brassy/yellow nickel-silver base. Heavy tarnish (sulfide deposits) across the surface.
Value Estimate
$1.00 - $5.00 USD. Silver-plated flatware in used condition with visible plate loss has negligible market value and is primarily sold as 'junk silver' or for crafting.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver cream. Avoid over-polishing the back of the bowl where the plating is already thin. Store in a tarnish-resistant cloth.
Similar Pieces
William Rogers, Rogers & Bro, or Holmes & Edwards silver plate. These differ in stamp but follow the same electroplating technology.
Interesting Facts
The 1847 Rogers Bros brand was so successful that many competitors tried to use the 'Rogers' name, leading to famous legal battles over trademark in the 19th century.