Wm. Rogers & Son Silverplated Dinner Fork in an Unidentified Decorative Pattern
Flatware - Fork (Dinner/Place Fork) · Wm. Rogers & Son, a well-known American silverplate manufacturer associated with the International Silver Company, famous for producing accessible, high-quality plated flatware for everyday and formal dining.
Pattern: Unidentified floral/scroll decorative pattern featuring a stylized terminal motif, produced during the mid-20th century.
Type
Flatware - Fork (Dinner/Place Fork)
Maker
Wm. Rogers & Son, a well-known American silverplate manufacturer associated with the International Silver Company, famous for producing accessible, high-quality plated flatware for everyday and formal dining.
Material
Silver Plated (Electroplated Silver on a base metal alloy, typically nickel silver or white metal).
Dimensions
Standard dinner or place fork length of approximately 18 to 20 cm (7 to 8 inches), weighing standard for plated flatware.
Description
A classic mid-century silverplated dinner fork manufactured by Wm. Rogers & Son. The fork displays a simple yet elegant four-tine design transitioning into a slender shank, marked clearly with manufacturer stamps, and terminating in a decorative, subtly embossed scroll and floral motif.
Key Features
Clear 'WM. ROGERS & SON' and 'IS' hallmarks, standard four-tine dinner fork configuration, and classic mid-century decorative handle terminal.
Material & Composition
Silver Plated (Electroplated Silver on a base metal alloy, typically nickel silver or white metal).
Finish & Decoration
Mirror polish on the tines and front face, with a subtle embossed floral and scroll motif on the handle terminal in a traditional mid-century aesthetic.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped with the maker's mark 'WM. ROGERS & SON', an IS hallmark logo representing the International Silver Company, and the pattern or quality descriptor.
Construction Details
Machine-manufactured, die-struck from a base metal blank and subsequently electroplated with a layer of silver.
Functional Features
Four-tined eating utensil designed for dinner use, featuring standard ergonomic shaping for comfortable grip and balance.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid base metal handle integrated into the single-piece fork blank, featuring a slightly flared terminal with embossed decorative details.
Craftsmanship Details
Standard commercial manufacturing quality of the mid-20th century, utilizing die-striking and uniform electroplating techniques typical of mass-produced American tableware.
Authentication Indicators
Authentic manufacturer stamps ('WM. ROGERS & SON' and 'IS') match known historical markings used by the International Silver Company for their plated flatware lines.
Origin & Manufacturing
Made in the United States by the International Silver Company / Wm. Rogers & Son.
Era & Period
Mid-20th Century (circa 1930s-1950s), reflecting traditional domestic tableware styles of the era.
Age Estimate
Mid-20th century, approximately 1940s to 1960s based on the hallmark style and IS branding.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of dining aesthetics in the 20th century, allowing middle-class households to set tables with elegant, silver-finished flatware previously reserved for the wealthy.
Condition Notes
Very Good vintage condition. Light surface scratches and minor tarnish consistent with age and gentle use, with no major plate loss or structural bending visible. Grade: Very Good.
Value Estimate
Low to moderate collector value, typically ranging from $5 to $15 per individual piece depending on condition and pattern demand in the replacement market.
Care & Maintenance
Wash by hand using mild dish soap and warm water. Dry immediately with a soft cloth to prevent water spots. Polish occasionally with a gentle silver cream formulated for plated items.
Similar Pieces
Other mid-century silverplated flatware lines by Holmes & Edwards, Oneida, and Gorham's plated divisions.
Interesting Facts
The Rogers family name became synonymous with American silver plating after innovations in electroplating made silver-appearance flatware affordable for average households in the 19th and 20th centuries.