International Silver Co. Romance Pattern Silverplate Dinner Fork
Flatware (Dinner Fork) · International Silver Company (IS), a major American conglomerate formed in 1898 from several smaller silver firms in Meriden, Connecticut. They were once the world's largest manufacturer of silver and silverplate products.
Pattern: Romance pattern, introduced in 1952 by Holmes & Edwards (a division of International Silver). This pattern was a mid-century favorite featuring delicate floral scrolls and recessed details.
Type
Flatware (Dinner Fork)
Maker
International Silver Company (IS), a major American conglomerate formed in 1898 from several smaller silver firms in Meriden, Connecticut. They were once the world's largest manufacturer of silver and silverplate products.
Material
Silverplate (Electroplated Nickel Silver - EPNS). This is a base metal alloy of nickel, copper, and zinc that has been electrolytically coated with a thin layer of pure silver. It contains no solid sterling silver.
Dimensions
Standard dinner fork size, approximately 7.5 to 7.75 inches in length. Weight is approximately 50-60 grams, feeling substantial due to the heavy base metal used in higher-quality silverplate.
Description
This floral-themed dinner fork represents the 'Romance' pattern, a quintessential mid-century American silverplate design. It features elegant, sweeping scrolls at the neck and a subtle floral cluster at the base of the handle. Designed to provide the look and feel of luxury at a more accessible price point than sterling, this piece exhibits the high-quality plating techniques for which International Silver was renowned during the 1950s.
Key Features
Deeply recessed scrollwork at the neck (shoulders), flared handle base with floral cluster, and the specific 'IS' (International Silver) backing stamp.
Material & Composition
Silverplate (Electroplated Nickel Silver - EPNS). This is a base metal alloy of nickel, copper, and zinc that has been electrolytically coated with a thin layer of pure silver. It contains no solid sterling silver.
Finish & Decoration
Satin finish on the bowl and tines with mirror-polished accents. The decoration is a Mid-Century Modern floral and scroll motif located at the shoulders and the base of the handle, characteristic of 1950s romanticism.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The reverse side of the handle is typically stamped with 'HOLMES & EDWARDS IS' or 'IS ROMANCE'. The 'IS' stands for International Silver. It will lack the word 'Sterling', indicating its status as plated ware.
Construction Details
Die-struck from a flat sheet of nickel silver and then electroplated. This is a machine-made mass-production technique consistent with mid-20th-century industrial manufacturing.
Functional Features
Four-tined design intended for the main course. The balance point is designed for ergonomic use, and the tines are slightly tapered for efficient piercing of food.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid one-piece construction. The handle features a flared spatulate end with raised borders and a central field where the floral 'Romance' motif is positioned at the top and bottom.
Craftsmanship Details
Excellent industrial craftsmanship with crisp die-stamping. The silver layer is thick enough to withstand decades of use, though it lacks the hand-finished detail of 19th-century silver.
Authentication Indicators
Pattern matches the 1952 Romance catalog; presence of the 'IS' mark confirms the manufacturer; lack of 'Sterling' mark correctly identifies it as a plated item rather than solid silver.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States, Meriden, Connecticut. Manufactured in one of the International Silver Company's high-capacity factories during the peak of the American silverplate industry.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern (1945-1970). The design reflects the post-WWII trend toward 'feminine modernism,' moving away from strict Art Deco lines toward softer floral aesthetics.
Age Estimate
Circa 1952-1960. Based on the 1952 introduction of the Romance pattern and the style of the stamp, this piece likely dates to the initial decade of production.
Cultural Significance
Represents the post-war American 'Bride's Market' where silverplate sets became the standard wedding gift, symbolizing middle-class aspirational elegance and the modernization of domestic life.
Condition Notes
Good to Very Good. There is visible surface scratching (use marks) and light tarnish. No visible 'bleeding' of the base metal (where silver wears off), suggesting the plating remains intact.
Value Estimate
$5 - $12 USD per piece. Silverplate has low scrap value, so its worth is primarily found in its utility and as a replacement for those completing existing sets.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver cream (e.g., Wright's) using a soft cloth. Avoid abrasive sponges which can strip the thin silver plating. Store in a tarnish-resistant chest or Pacific silvercloth.
Similar Pieces
Oneida 'Damask Rose' or Gorham 'Invitation'. These patterns share the mid-century floral aesthetic but differ in the specific arrangement of his leaf and flower clusters.
Interesting Facts
The Romance pattern was often marketed as 'DeepSilver,' a branding technique International Silver used to denote that extra silver was inlaid at the points of heaviest wear (the back of the bowl and tines).