International Silver Company Prince of Wales Plume Pattern Silver Plate Hollowware
Hollowware (Serving Tray, Bowl, or Dish) · International Silver Company (IS), founded in 1898 in Meriden, Connecticut. It was a conglomerate of various independent silver companies. This specific mark denotes their high-quality silver plate line frequently used in hotel and institutional settings.
Pattern: Prince of Wales / Three Feathers pattern, specifically numbered 372. This is a classic motif often utilized for hotel grade or institutional silver due to its timeless durability.
Type
Hollowware (Serving Tray, Bowl, or Dish)
Maker
International Silver Company (IS), founded in 1898 in Meriden, Connecticut. It was a conglomerate of various independent silver companies. This specific mark denotes their high-quality silver plate line frequently used in hotel and institutional settings.
Material
Silver Plate (Electroplated Nickel Silver - EPNS). The base is a nickel-copper-zinc alloy which is then electroplated with a layer of fine silver. This is indicated by the 'IS' branding and the wear patterns visible on the surface.
Dimensions
Based on standard hotel-ware sizing, this likely measures between 6 to 10 inches in diameter. The weight would be substantial due to the heavy nickel-brass base used for hotel grade longevity.
Description
A robust and professional-grade piece of American silver plate hollowware. This item represents the 'Golden Age' of travel and luxury dining, where even utility pieces bore the elegant Prince of Wales feathers. It features a heavy-duty construction meant to provide the look of sterling with the durability of steel.
Key Features
The 'Prince of Wales' feathers crest is the primary identifier. The design number '372' is a specific catalog reference used by IS for ordering replacements in a set.
Material & Composition
Silver Plate (Electroplated Nickel Silver - EPNS). The base is a nickel-copper-zinc alloy which is then electroplated with a layer of fine silver. This is indicated by the 'IS' branding and the wear patterns visible on the surface.
Finish & Decoration
Polished silver finish with an incised maker's mark consisting of the Prince of Wales plumes (three feathers emerging from a coronet). The surface shows a bright polish with significant utility scratching consistent with industrial or commercial use.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The mark features the 'Prince of Wales' feathers crest, under which is 'INTERNATIONAL SILVER CO' and the design/catalog number '372'. It lacks a 'Sterling' or '925' stamp, confirming its status as silver plate.
Construction Details
Machine-pressed or spun hollowware, designed for heavy commercial use. The gauge of the metal is typically thicker than residential silver to prevent denting in high-traffic environments.
Functional Features
Smooth, flat interior surface designed for easy cleaning and stacking. The heavy plating is a functional feature meant to survive daily industrial dishwashing.
Handle & Grip Details
Not visible in the close-up, but typical of this line would be integrated rim grips or solid-cast handles attached with high-strength silver solder.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality industrial craftsmanship. The stamp is deeply struck and centered, reflecting a disciplined factory production line characteristic of Meriden's 20th-century silver industry.
Authentication Indicators
Authentic International Silver Co. industrial mark. The wear pattern is consistent with genuine electroplate (scratches showing a different base metal rather than the uniform white of sterling).
Origin & Manufacturing
Meriden, Connecticut, USA. Manufactured in one of the central IS factories which standardized production for major hotel chains and passenger rail lines.
Era & Period
Modern / Mid-20th Century (1930s-1960s). This era saw the height of production for the International Silver Company's hotel and restaurant division supplies.
Age Estimate
Circa 1940-1955. The sharpness of the stamp and the specific layout of the 'IS' text align with mid-century production before the logo was further simplified.
Cultural Significance
Represents the industrialization of luxury; the transition from hand-wrought silver for the elite to mass-produced, high-quality silver plate for the growing American middle class and travel industry.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. There is significant surface scratching (utility wear) and evidence of 'plate loss' or 'bleed' where the darker base metal begins to show through the silver layer. Noticeable tarnish/oxidation around the edges.
Value Estimate
$15 - $45 USD. Value is primarily decorative or nostalgic; as silver plate, it does not have the melt value of sterling and is common in the antique market.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver cream (e.g., Wright's). Do not use abrasive pads which will strip the remaining silver plating. Store in a dry place to prevent further pitting of the base metal.
Similar Pieces
Reed & Barton 'Heritage' hotel plate, Gorham Silver Plate hotel series. Similar pieces will often have the hotel name engraved on the front and the IS mark on the back.
Interesting Facts
The Prince of Wales feathers mark was often used by International Silver for their 'Hotel Division'. Such pieces were routinely found in the dining cars of the Pullman Company or in grand hotels like the Waldorf Astoria.