Description

According to Reference books , William A. Rogers was a small New York ‘storekeeper’ who marked his flatware with a “Rogers” stamp. He was granted permission to use the name “Wm. A. Rogers” on his silverplate pieces if he ensured that the silver content of his flatware was equal to that produced by the better-known Rogers Brothers. Wm. A Rogers Ltd was in operation 1900 - 1940, t here is a bit more history in Rainwater, p. 208. Both Rainwater and Davis-Deibel identify the current owner of this mark as Oneida Silversmiths. So. all the dies' molds stamps & designs trademarked names et al became the property of Oneida Ltd. as of 1940. Many patterns were made by Wm. A. Rogers Ltd. in the 40+ years of operation of his very successful silverplate factory. After its acquisition by Oneida these same patterns could legitimately be made again, using the same or a different name. Thats why so many patterns have two or more names and certainly multiple years of production and different makers marks. Flatware is a generic term applied to the knives, forks spoons and other utensils people use to serve and eat food. Silver-plated flatware is made of a base metal like stainless steel, brass or copper that has been electroplated with silver. The plating is thinner than a human hair. Silver-plated flatware first appeared in the mid-19th century as manufacturers sought to expand their market by offering a low-priced alternative to pure sterling silverware. When not in use, keep these Sterling or Silver-Plated flatware in a closed drawer or chest lined with tarnish-resistant cloth. We do not recommend any of these three metals to be put in the dishwasher. If you choose to place them in a dishwasher, ensure that you do not mix metals in the same load. Remove flatware before the drying cycle and hand dry. Also, dishwashing detergents might contain bleach that remove the oxidation that was used to highlight pattern detail. Sterling and silver-plate do require periodic polishing with high-quality silver polish. -ONEIDA Silver-plated flatware, unlike sterling silver, has no intrinsic value. However, it does have some market value to flatware collectors, as long as the silver plating hasn’t worn through, and to people who seek to fill out incomplete flatware sets. According to the Silver Season website, more than 2,000 different silver-plated flatware patterns were produced from the 1850s to the 1950s, on more than 200 different types of eating and serving utensils. Certain makers’ marks denote better quality, including Gorham, Towle, Oneida Community and 1847 Rogers Bros. Silver-plated flatware is subject to black tarnish from atmospheric sulfur compounds. Silver plate stored in damp conditions will develop crusty green deposits from corrosion between the silver and the base metal. The Society of American Silversmiths advises that the best way to preserve your silver plate is to prevent tarnish and corrosion. Silver-plated flatware should be washed by hand with a non-lemon-scented, phosphate-free dish detergent and dried immediately with a soft dish towel. Never wash silver-plated flatware in a dishwasher, according to the Society of American Silversmiths, because the high heat and harsh detergents can damage the thin plating and loosen knife handles or non-metal components of the flatware. Also, pepper and salt corrode silver plating, so shakers should be emptied, washed and dried before storing.