The Toronto Silver Plate Company

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Toronto Silver Plate Co. - Toronto - 1896

The Toronto Silver Plate Company was founded and incorporated in 1882 by James A. Watts and a subscribed capital of $100,000. Watts had earlier been a sales representative for the Meriden Britannia Company of Hamilton, Ontario. They were the first company in Canada to manufacture silver plated products from their factory situated at 570, King Street West.


Toronto Silver Plate Co. - Toronto - 1902

In c.1885 they started production of Holmes & Edwards flatware made under license. James A. Watts was succeeded by Edward George Gooderham, who had been with the company almost from its inception, starting in a clerical position and finally becoming President in 1909.


Edward George Gooderham detail - 1914

Under E G Gooderham's leadership the Toronto Silver Plate Company experienced their golden years, opening showrooms in London at 23,Thavies Inn, Holborn Circus, and expanding their King Street factory onto ajoining land at Adelaide Street. Besides E G Gooderham, other directors noted at this period were John C. Copp, W H Beatty, Alfred Gooderham, G Gooderham, W H Partridge, David Walker, W T Kiely, William Thomson, James Webster and Frank Turner.


Toronto Silver Plate Co. - Toronto - 1913

Success will, of course, result in the envious attention of others, and in 1913 the Toronto Silver Plate Company was aquired by the Canadian Wm. A. Rogers Company. The name Toronto Silver Plate Company was continued until 1929 when the Wm. A. Rogers company was absorbed by Oneida Community Limited, and the Toronto Plate Company name was assigned to the scrap bin. A sad end for the pioneers of the Canadian silver plating industry.


Canadian Wm. A. Rogers Ltd. - Toronto - 1921

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A couple of photos of the interior of the King Street West factory that were taken in 1919.


Toronto Silver Plate Co. - Toronto - 1919


Toronto Silver Plate Co. - Toronto - 1919

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An image of another employee of the Toronto Silver PLate Co., James G. Worts, who as can be seen, worked for the company from 1900 until 1908. He was, perhaps, the nephew of E G Gooderham.


James G. Worts detail - 1914

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Some further detail on the early days of the Toronto Silver Plate Co. published in 1886.



The huge trade they handled in coffin mountings is something you don't generally think of in the work of silversmiths and silver platers, as of course examples of such pieces are unlikely to have survived, but the figure of $12,000 per annum shows that this was big business for such manufacturers.

The Secretary-Treasurer of the Toronto Silver Plate at this time was John C. Copp, born in Devon, England, he arrived in Canada, as a child, in 1842. He joined Toronto Silver Plate in 1884.

Source: Industries of Canada - Historical and Commercial - Sketches of Toronto and Environs - 1886

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In December 2010 the former factory and headquarters of the Toronto Silver Plate Co. at 570 King Street West came under the protection of the Ontario Heritage Act as being of culteral heritage value and as such this historical building of the Canadian silversmithing industry will now be saved.


Then


and now.

Full details of the protection order can be found at: http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/bylaws/2011/law0029.pdf

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Toronto Silver Plate Co. - Toronto - 1886


Toronto Silver Plate Co. - Toronto - 1886

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New Electro-Plated Ware Factory.–The first annual meeting of the Toronto Silver Plate Co., was held at the Rossin House on Saturday afternoon last, Mr. W. K. McNaught, of Toronto, in the chair. After the by-laws of the Company had been discussed and carried, the following officers were elected : President, J. A, Watts, Toronto ; Vice-President, J. Robertson, Hamilton ; Secretary, J. A. Lash, Toronto ; Directors, Messrs. Drake, Montreal; Murray, London, and Partridge, Hamilton. The Company's new brick factory, at the corner of King and Portland Streets, is fast reaching completion, and will be one of the most complete of its kind on this continent. It is built of red brick and has a frontage of 100 feet on King Street and a depth of about 200 feet. Mr. Watts, the Manager, expects to have it in full running order in about three months.

Source: The Trader and Canadian Jeweller - March 1882

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Lost Four Fingers

While at work on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 22nd, in the Toronto Silver Plate Company's factory, William Williamson, a lad of 15 years of age, met with an accident through which he lost the four fingers of his left hand. He was operating a pressing machine at the time, and in some manner his hand was caught between the rollers. When his hand was extricated it was found that the four fingers were crushed to a pulp. He was taken to the Emergency Hospital.

Source: The Trader & Canadian Jeweller - June 1900

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Toronto Silver Plate Company - Toronto - 1883

A early advertisement for the Toronto Silver Plate Company that records the directors as:

J.A. Watts - President and General Manager
Alfred Gooderham - Vice-President (Gooderham & Worts, Toronto)
William Thompson (Wm. Thompson & Co., Toronto)
W.H. Beatty (Toronto)
G. Harrison (Toronto)
W.H. Partridge (Hamilton)
James Webster (Superintendent of the Northern Railway, Toronto)

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Foreign Trade.–The Toronto Silver Plate Company are having phenomenal success in opening up trade with foreign countries, their latest addition being Buenos Ayres, South America. In spite of the fact that the gold premium there at present fluctuates between 110 and 140, the Company have succeeded in opening up a fairly satisfactory market for their productions, and this in the face of strong competition from the largest factories in the United States. This Company are doing a large home trade in special hotel goods, and amongst others they have in hand an order for the celebrated Windsor Hotel of Montreal.

Source: The Trader & Canadian Jeweller - May 1890

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The combined Dominion Exhibition and Toronto Industrial Fair 1887


AN ATTRACTIVE DISPLAY

THE TORONTO SILVER PLATE COMPANY'S EXHIBIT

IT is a sign of progress in wealth and refinement when a people become customers for articles of silver plate and such like ; it shows a still further advance in civilization and its capabilities when they become manufacturers of such articles for themselves. A savage might admire a silver cup, and might like to possess it ; but to make a silver cup of artistic design is beyond his power. Why, he could not begin to think the thing out. As a proof of progress, therefore, the present exhibit of the Toronto Silver Plate Company (east end of the Main building) is something that not only the city in particular, but the Dominion in general, can “point with pride," as our American neighbors say when they feel specially well pleased with themselves. The epithet “ splendid," so frequently used without proper application, is exactly in place when applied to this glittering display of high art goods, among which are things useful as well as ornamental. Some exhibits draw gazers now and then, but this one is always surrounded by admiring crowds. The articles are shown in a large late glass case, on view from four sides. “we notice a large Oriental centre piece–a handsome epergne ; another epergne representing fruit, which appears as if designed by Pomona herself ; prize cups of many handsome designs, to suit various athletic sports–beautiful tea sets, and, in fact, a profusion of articles combining the beautiful and the useful. A tea infuser is worthy of special mention. With it the lady of the house can make her brew on the table just as wanted. The “ drawing " part of the apparatus is so constructed that the objectionable tannin is not taken into the cup of tea at all, but is left behind among the leaves–an improvement that is not merely pleasant, but worth money as well. One “ brew " having been disposed of, the next can be immediately proceeded with, and the guests get their cup of tea fresh and fragrant every time.

The curiosity of the public is gratified by the exhibit in the same case of the fine collection of jubilee coins–four gold and seven silver–just brought out from England by Ald. Saunders. On Thursday Sir John Macdonald had a look at the Toronto Company’s exhibit, and was astonished to find not only that articles of such style and quality were made in Canada, but further, that the manufacture had been placed on a permanent footing and developed on a large scale.

We fancy it will surprise the public to learn that the Toronto Silver Plate Company have in their employment no less than no skilled workmen, which suggests that something is done on their premises. These run from 410 to 426 King street west. Mr. E. G. Gooderham is manager, and Mr. John J. Copp is secretary-treasurer; these are the working men of the company, and these are always on hand. This enterprise has been going on for five years, and now it has got to be something, we should say. The company buy in the best markets their own supplies, in block metal–of gold, silver, nickel and brass–all of which they use and apply by the most approved scientific processes. Having the best apparatus, and using the most improved methods, they are able always to turn out the best value for the money.

Source: Grip - 17th September 1887

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A Credit to Toronto

Elsewhere in this Journal will be noticed the advertisement of the Toronto Silver Plate Company, Limited, whose factories and salesrooms have been situated at West King St., Toronto, since the year 1882, although since that date the factories have been rearranged and enlarged from time to time so as to keep pace with their increased business. Their present factories have just about reached their limit of output and several months ago additional land on Adelaide Street, abutting their King St. property, was purchased with the idea of putting up in the comparatively near future additional factory buildings.

Additional to the manufacture of what might be termed home table silverware, including knives, forks and spoons (in an absolutely guaranteed quality of plate), as well as in Sterling Silver, the Toronto Silver Plate Co. for years have been noted for their Hotel, Club, Hospital, Steamboat and Dining Car Silverware, which they make a specialty of, and which will be found in general use from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

The Toronto Silver Plate Co. not only do an exceptionally large trade in the Canadian market, but do considerable of an export trade, which was first established from their London, Eng., Show Room, 23 Thavies Inn, Holborn Circus, and afterwards for several years by direct representation when the London, Eng., Show Room was discontinued.

The Toronto Silver Plate Co. are strictly an independent company. Not in the trust or members of any Silverware Association or combine, in that way are perfectly free to determine their business policies.

In connection with hospitals, Catalogue No. 25 illustrates a class of goods very suitable, absolutely guaranteed as to quality and at a reasonable price, and which catalogue is furnished to any responsible party on application.

Source: The Hospital World - July 1913

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The death occurred in Toronto a few days ago of A. D. Benjamin, a director of the Toronto Silver Plate Co.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 24th January 1900

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The Toronto Silver Plate Co. - Toronto - 1890

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Trading with Japan The Toronto Silver Plate Company of this city, last week received a large order from Japan for silverware of a special design intended for use in "Club Hotel" (Limited), of Yokohama, which, when completed, will be one of the most luxurious and exclusive resorts in that country. This is but another instance of Canadian manufacturing enterprise under the stimulating influence of the N.P. As will be seen by the Company's advertisement on another page, they have just put on the market a very choice line of ornamented flatware of their new " Greek pattern". They are sold in plain silver and oxydized, and are elegant enough to be mistaken for solid silver by any person who is not an expert in the business. The Company also report a large and increasing sale for their new silver metal flatware advertised in last month's Trader.

Source: The Trader and Canadian Jeweller - April 1890

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Toronto Silver Plate Co. - Toronto - 1896

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The Toronto Silver Plate Co. are opening up a branch establishment on St. Catherine St., Montreal.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 28th November 1894

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Toronto Silver Plate Co. - Toronto - 1896

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Changes Everywhere.–Our readers will no doubt be surprised to learn of the retirement Changes Everywhere.–Our readers will no doubt be surprised to learn of the retirement of Mr. J. A. Watts from the Presidency and Management of the Toronto Silver Plate Company, of which Company he was the promoter and founder. Mr. Watts who we understand has retired definitely from the silver-ware business in Canada, was the pioneer of the American electro-plated ware trade in this country, having as the agent of the Meriden Britannia Company introduced the goods here some twenty years ago. He is succeeded as manager by Mr. A. Gooderham, of this City, a prominent stockholder who has been in the employ of the company ever since it commenced business. of Mr. J. A. Watts from the Presidency and Management of the Toronto Silver Plate Company, of which Company he was the promoter and founder. Mr. Watts who we understand has retired definitely from the silver-ware business in Canada, was the pioneer of the American electro-plated ware trade in this country, having as the agent of the Meriden Britannia Company introduced the goods here some twenty years ago. He is succeeded as manager by Mr. A. Gooderham, of this City, a prominent stockholder who has been in the employ of the company ever since it commenced business.

Source: The Trader and Canadian Jeweller - May 1885

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