International Silver Co. Heritage Pattern Silverplate Teaspoon
Flatware - Teaspoon · International Silver Company, formed in 1898 in Meriden, Connecticut. It was a conglomerate of various independent silver companies and became one of the largest silver manufacturers in the world.
Pattern: Heritage (1847 Rogers Bros line), introduced in 1953. This was a very popular mid-century pattern characterized by its floral sprays and traditional fiddle-back-inspired shape.
Type
Flatware - Teaspoon
Maker
International Silver Company, formed in 1898 in Meriden, Connecticut. It was a conglomerate of various independent silver companies and became one of the largest silver manufacturers in the world.
Material
Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS). The base is a non-ferrous alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc, which is then electroplated with a thin layer of pure silver. It does not contain solid sterling silver.
Dimensions
Approximately 6 inches (15.2 cm) in length. Weight is roughly 30-35 grams. This is the standard size for a teaspoon in American 20th-century flatware services.
Description
An International Silver Company silverplate teaspoon in the Heritage pattern. This piece features a classic flared handle adorned with intricate roses and scrolling foliage, a hallmark of 1950s American table settings. While it carries the prestigious 1847 Rogers Bros mark, it is a plated piece intended for the burgeoning middle-class market of the post-war era.
Key Features
Floral bundle at the handle tip, scrollwork along the edges, and the specific '1847 Rogers Bros' stamp which is often mistaken by novices for a date or a sterling mark.
Material & Composition
Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS). The base is a non-ferrous alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc, which is then electroplated with a thin layer of pure silver. It does not contain solid sterling silver.
Finish & Decoration
The pattern features high-relief floral bouquets (likely roses) at the tip and shoulder of the handle. It has a chased-style border and was originally finished with a mirror polish. The current state shows heavy oxidation.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped '1847 ROGERS BROS' and 'IS' within a circle. 'IS' stands for International Silver. '1847 Rogers Bros' was the primary brand name used to indicate their highest quality silverplate.
Construction Details
Machine-made using die-striking. The pattern was stamped into the metal blank under high pressure, followed by electroplating in a chemical bath. This is a mass-produced industrial item.
Functional Features
Ovoid bowl for liquids and semi-solids. The flared handle provided an ergonomic grip common in mid-century 'formal' dining sets. No mechanical features.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid metal handle integrated with the bowl (one-piece construction). The handle narrows at the neck and flares into a decorative floral terminal. Condition shows significant tarnish.
Craftsmanship Details
Industrial quality. The die-striking is deep and clear, showing high-quality manufacturing for a plated item, but it lacks the hand-finishing or 'life' found in hand-wrought sterling silver.
Authentication Indicators
The 'IS' logo and '1847 Rogers Bros' stamp are crisp and consistent with authentic mass-produced mid-century American plate. The weight and 'feel' of the tarnish are typical for EPNS items found in secondary markets.
Origin & Manufacturing
Manufactured in Meriden, Connecticut, USA. Meriden was known as the 'Silver City' due to the dominance of the International Silver Company's factories there.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern era (Post-WWII). Introduced in 1953, it reflects the 'New Romanticism' trend that preferred floral, traditional motifs over the strict minimalism of Early Modernism.
Age Estimate
Circa 1953-1970. The hallmark style and pattern popularity suggest it was produced during the peak of this pattern's mid-century run.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Gold Standard' of American silverplate during the 1950s. Such sets were common wedding gifts and symbolized the suburban domestic ideal of the Cold War era.
Condition Notes
Fair condition. There is heavy tarnish (silver sulfide) across the bowl and handle. Visible 'heel wear' on the back of the bowl where it rests on the table, which may indicate the silver plating has worn through to the base metal.
Value Estimate
$1.00 - $5.00 USD. As a single, heavily tarnished plated teaspoon in a common pattern, it has minimal resale value and is primarily a 'replacement piece' or scrap candidate.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver cream (e.g., Wright's). Avoid 'silver dips' as they can strip the thin plating. Store in a Pacific silver cloth roll to prevent further sulfur exposure.
Similar Pieces
Oneida 'Damask Rose' (more delicate), Wallace 'Grand Baroque' (more ornate sterling), or Reed & Barton 'Francis I'. This piece is less valuable than its sterling counterparts.
Interesting Facts
The '1847' in the brand name does not refer to the year the spoon was made; it commemorates the year the Rogers brothers perfected the electroplating process in Hartford, Connecticut.