1847 Rogers Bros. Silverplate Flatware, First Love Pattern
Flatware (Likely a Table Spoon or Serving Piece) · 1847 Rogers Bros. by International Silver Company. Founded by the Rogers brothers in Hartford, Connecticut; this brand became the gold standard for high-quality American silverplate and was later acquired by Meriden Britannia/International Silver Co.
Pattern: First Love (introduced 1937, discontinued mid-20th century). One of the most commercially successful patterns of the Art Deco/Pre-War era.
Type
Flatware (Likely a Table Spoon or Serving Piece)
Maker
1847 Rogers Bros. by International Silver Company. Founded by the Rogers brothers in Hartford, Connecticut; this brand became the gold standard for high-quality American silverplate and was later acquired by Meriden Britannia/International Silver Co.
Material
Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS). High-quality silver plating over a base metal alloy of nickel, copper, and zinc. Contains no solid sterling silver.
Dimensions
Standard large flatware size, likely 7 to 8.5 inches in length. Weight is heavier than sterling counterparts due to the nickel silver base metal composition.
Description
An iconic example of American mid-century silverplate. The 'First Love' pattern is characterized by its delicate balance of floral femininity and architectural Art Deco lines. As part of the 1847 Rogers Bros. line, it represents the high-water mark of consumer-grade silverplate, marketed to middle-class families as an affordable alternative to solid sterling.
Key Features
Distinguished by the '1847' date mark (which often confuses novice collectors) and the specific etched floral clusters on the handle transition.
Material & Composition
Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS). High-quality silver plating over a base metal alloy of nickel, copper, and zinc. Contains no solid sterling silver.
Finish & Decoration
Art Deco/Art Moderne style featuring elegant scrolling florals and vertical lines. The finish is polished silver with intentional oxidation in the recessed pattern details to enhance depth.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped '1847 ROGERS BROS.' on the back of the neck/handle. The '1847' refers to the founding year of the brand, not the manufacture date. There is likely a small 'IS' circle mark nearby indicating International Silver.
Construction Details
Die-struck and machine-manufactured. The pattern is pressed into the handle using high-pressure steel dies, followed by electroplating in a silver bath.
Functional Features
Single-piece construction with a reinforced neck transition. Designed for daily domestic dining and durability.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid core handle (not hollow) with integral flared shoulders. Tapered design typical of late 1930s flatware aesthetics.
Craftsmanship Details
Excellent industrial quality. While machine-made, the die-work is sharp and the balance of the piece is superior to modern cheap stainless steel.
Authentication Indicators
Standard factory stamps are crisp and consistent with International Silver production methods. Wear patterns are consistent with a silver-plated item rather than sterling.
Origin & Manufacturing
Meriden, Connecticut, USA. Produced in the high-volume factories of the International Silver Company.
Era & Period
Art Deco / Late Depression Era (circa 1937). Reflected in the stylized, romantic floral motifs popular in American households leading into WWII.
Age Estimate
Circa 1937–1950. The specific 'First Love' pattern confirms a post-1937 production date.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of luxury in early 20th-century America, allowing middle-class households to maintain formal 'Sunday Dinner' traditions.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Visible heavy tarnish (sulfide deposits) and surface scratches. The yellowish tint in worn areas suggests 'plate loss' where the base nickel silver is beginning to show through (bleeding).
Value Estimate
$3–$10 USD per individual piece. Value is primarily functional or sentimental rather than as a precious metal investment, as the silver content is negligible.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver cream (e.g., Wright's). Avoid over-polishing or 'silver dips,' as the thin layer of silver plate can eventually be stripped away, exposing the grey/yellow base metal permanently.
Similar Pieces
William Rogers patterns or Oneida Community Plate. Distinguishable by the maker's mark; Rogers Bros. 1847 was generally considered a higher tier of plating than standard 'Rogers' marks.
Interesting Facts
The 'First Love' pattern was heavily marketed in women's magazines like Good Housekeeping in the late 1930s. Despite the name, many pieces were bought by war-time brides.