History of the International Silver Company

When you're registering for wedding gifts, many couples register for silver sets. It's important to keep in mind the history and potential longevity of any silver company before registering for their particular design. As silver is an expensive gift, you want to be able to add to your collection of silver throughout your married life as well as potentially pass it on to your children. The International Silver Company has been in business for over a century, which makes it well worth considering.

Founding

Founded in November of 1898, the International Silver Company was formed in Connecticut through the combination of 14 previously independent silver companies. The original company consisted of Barbour Silver Company, based in Hartford; Holmes & Edwards Silver Company, based in Bridgeport; Manhattan Silver Plate, based in Lyons, New York; Meriden Britannia Company, based in Meriden; Norwich Cutlery, based in Norwich; William Rogers Manufacturing Company, based in Hartford; Rogers Cutlery, based in Hartford; Rogers and Brothers, based in Waterbury; Rogers and Hamilton, based in Waterbury, Wilcox Silver Plate, based in Meriden; Watrous Manufacturing Company, based in Wallingford and Standard Silver Company, Ltd., based in Toronto, Canada.
Four more companies were added in the beginning of 1899: Derby Silver Company, based in Derby; Simpson, Hall, Miller & Company, based in Wallingford; Simpson Nickel Company, based in Wallingford; and Middletown Plate Company, based in Middletown. Lastly, in January, 1903, the growing company acquired the stock of the United States Silver Corporation, which gave International Silver Company indirect ownership of the firm C. Rogers & Brothers, which was based also Meriden.

Significance

The combination of companies did not mean their artisanship and uniqueness were lost. The International Silver Company was founded to take advantage of the efficiencies of cooperative commerce. The individual companies maintained separate identities, significant for those seeking to identify antique silver. When you're looking at antique silver, keep in mind that initially the companies that joined International Silver Company did not use the standard mark of the company as a whole. Instead, the individual companies continued to use their identities and marked silverware with their own touchmarks. Only products sold by International Silver as a parent company used the International Silver mark.

Features

International Silver Company became an organization that was estimated to be worth $20 million at the time. It centered its operations in Meriden, Connecticut, and became a major silver product producer in the United States, a position it maintains today.

Modern Times

The International Silver Company was acquired by the conglomerate, Insilco, in 1968. Recognizing the strength of its hotel silver division, Insilco spun this part of the company off in 1972 as an independent subsidiary and renamed it World Tableware International. In 1983, World Tableware International was acquired by a private investment group and re-organized as the American Silver Company. Currently, the International Silver Company is owned by Syratech Corporation.

Potential

International Silver Company has designed and produced two of the most frequently purchased silver patterns in American history. These patterns have been produced for over 75 years. Joan of Arc was introduced in 1940 and Prelude was introduced in prior to 1940.