Plated Flatware - Who Made the Grade, and Who Didn't

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An interesting 1939 report from the 'Consumers Union of the United States':


SILVERPLATED FLATWARE

Quality markings based on the thickness of silver plating are sometimes used by manufacturers of silverware and may be of some help to purchasers. In declining order, they are Quadruple or XXXX; Triple or XXX; Double or XX; AA; A1+ or A1X or Extra; A1 or Standard. Note that A1 is the lowest grade,

Except for occasional use, there is little reason for buying silverplate that costs less than about 30¢ a piece. 5-&-10¢ store silverware was found not to be reinforced at all. In that price range stainless steel flatware is to be recommended. Tests did not include sterling ware (92.5% silver).

The silverware rated below was tested according to Federal specifications for total weight of silverplate, thickness of plating, thickness of reinforcements, and resistance of steel knife blades to corrosion.

From CU Reports, December 1939.

Prices are given in terms of per-dozen cost of teaspoons. Names in quotation marks refer to the pattern tested.


HIGHER PRICED—$7 UP

BEST BUYS

Alvin "Melody" (Alvin Corp., Providence, R. I.). $7.50 a doz. Highest quality of brands tested.

Gorham "Washington Irving" (The Gorham Co., Providence, R. I.). $8 a doz. Second highest quality of brands tested.


ALSO ACCEPTABLE
(In order of quality without regard to price)

1847 Rogers Brothers "Her Majesty" (International Silver Co., Meriden, Conn.). $8 a doz.; $7 a doz. at Sears-Roebuck and Montgomery Ward.

Community Plate "Lady Hamilton" (Oneida, Ltd., Oneida, N. Y.). $8 a doz.; $6 a doz. at Sears-Roebuck and Montgomery Ward.

Wallace Silvershod "Ultra" (R. Wallace & Sons Mfg. Co., Wallingford, Conn.). $8 a doz.

Heirloom "Longchamps" (Oneida, Ltd.). $7 a doz.

Holmes & Edwards "First Lady" (International Silver Co.). $7.50 a doz.


NOT ACCEPTABLE

Reed & Barton "Sierra" (Reed & Barton). $8 a doz. Did not meet XXXX grade marked.


LOWER PRICED—UNDER $7

ACCEPTABLE
(In order of quality without regard to price)

Wm. Rogers "Fascination" (International Silver Co.: sold by Sears-Roebuck). $2.50 a doz. Spoons corresponded to A1+, but forks corresponded to about XXX grade. Forks would be "Best Buy" at this price.

Wm. Rogers & Son "Georgic" (International Silver Co.). $3 a doz.

Tudor "Elaine" (Oneida, Ltd.). $4 a doz.

Wm. Rogers Mfg. Co. "Admiration" (International Silver Co.; sold by Sears-Roebuck). $1.98 a doz.

Simeon L. & George H. Rogers "Viking" (Oneida, Ltd.). Sold by Montgomery Ward as Rogers A1+. $1.78 a doz.


NOT ACCEPTABLE

Simeon L. & George H. Rogers "Skycrest." Sold by Montgomery Ward as Rogers AA. $2 a doz.

1881 Rogers "Surf Club" (Oneida, Ltd.). $3.50 a doz.

Wm. A. Rogers Sectional "Rio" (Oneida, Ltd.). $3 a doz. Steel knife blade stained in corrosion test.


The following brands did not correspond in quality to even the lowest quality grade (A1) and could not be considered worth buying at any price except for brief or occasional use:

Vernon "Romford" (sold by F. W. Woolworth Stores). 10¢ a piece.

Cambridge "Lady Claire" (sold by Sears-Roebuck). $1.38 a doz.

Ward's Service Quality "Andover" C801 (Montgomery Ward). $1.46 a doz.

Source: Consumers Union Reports - Volume 5, Issue 12 - Consumers Union of the United States, Incorporated - 1939

Trev.