Year: 2017

November 2017

NOVEMBER PROGRAM AND LECTURE

Thursday, November 9, 6:30 PM at the Meriden Public Library, 105 Miller Street, Meriden CT

THE MERIDEN GRAVURE COMPANY- PRINTING BEFORE THE DIGITAL AGE – LECTURE AND BOOK SIGNING. Presented by William (Bill) J. Glick author of

IN THE SERVICE OFSCHOLARSHIP: HAROLD HUGO & THE MERIDEN GRAVURE COMPANY (Oak Knoll Press 2017). Mr. Glick, a member of the Meriden Historical Society, will present an illustrated talk about the Meriden Gravure Company and the talented people who were the driving force behind this world renowned, Meriden based, printing company. In his presentation Bill will draw on his 30-year association with the company as well as on his extensive research when writing his recently published book.

Book signing will follow the discussion.

A limited number of books (@ $75.00) will be available for sale for cash, checks or PayPal payments. Profits of the sale go to benefit the activities of the Meriden Historical Society. This program is free to both members and non-members of the Meriden Historical Society. Refreshments will be served.

 

AT THE RESEARCH CENTER:

We no longer use cotton gloves when handling materials at the Society. All materials are now handled with acid free, disposable, highly tactile Nitrile gloves. This procedure protects both materials and handlers.

Our volunteers have started cataloging our archives of the Napier Company. While the company is best known for its costume jewelry,

Napier created other objects as well, as seen in this page from Napier’s 1967 catalog JEWELRY AND GIFTS by Napier®Napier is too good to hide.

The society recently enjoyed a visit by Melinda L Lewis and her husband Mark. Melinda is the author (together with Henry Swen) of the encyclopedic book, The Napier Co. Defining 20th Century American Costume Jewelry. (Life By Design Publishing – 2013) The couple browsed through our Napier archives, reviewing information from material in the Society’s collection.

NEWS FROM THE ARCHIVES

by Paul Butkus

It is said that a good product will sell itself but only if people know that it exists. It is apparent through the cataloging of the materials in the International Silver Company Archives at the Meriden Historical Society, that IS really knew how to get the word out, including enlisting the help of famous personalities!

The Archives contain a wealth of information documenting the various methods used to do just that. Both IS and their retailers worked together to advertise the various product lines to their customers, following well planned out advertising campaigns developed at the headquarters in Meriden. Examples of the coming year’s advertising campaigns are included in the collection which outlines the advertisements that would be placed in various national magazines along with suggestions for local advertisements to be placed by the individual retailers. Contained within numerous ‘scrap books’ (arranged chronologically by month, year and line), are the actual advertisements placed in the national magazines including both trade journals and popular magazines such as: Brides Book, Harpers Bazaar, House Beautiful, House & Garden, Ladies’ Home Journal and the Saturday Evening Post. A number of volumes contain the local ads as well.

Mickey Mouse Ad 1933 Meriden Historical Society

But placing an advertisement alone won’t make the sale so IS created materials to help train the salesmen. One such publication was a newsletter called the International Silver Service, which they started in September of 1932. The newsletter was sent out to retailers and included articles on new products, special monthly promotions, announcements of upcoming radio and print advertising campaigns and helpful information on how to treat a customer so that they not only made the initial sale but were enticed to come back again and again.

The April 1933 edition of International Silver Service announced that Mickey Mouse had been enlisted as their latest salesman. He would help make sales through the introduction of a number of items in silver plate for children including plates, cups, porringers and flatware decorated with his image. “Salesman Mickey Mouse Ready to Work for You” reads the title of one of the articles. In September of 1933, the Mickey Mouse flatware (along with a cup and porringer) started being offered in sterling along with the addition of items featuring Minnie Mouse, Clarabell Cow and Horace Horsecollar flatware adding to the ‘sales force’. The article announcing the new offerings in sterling begins with “A successful salesman sells himself.” Clearly the message was not intended to just apply to Mickey Mouse but also the retail salesman reading the newsletter as well.

It is no wonder that IS became the largest silver producer in the world.

 

FOR THEIR GENEROSITY WE THANK:

Stacey McConlogue for her donation in memory of Jean Lord Greenlaw, and to Gregg Hugo for his donation in Memory of his wife Bonnie.

 

IN SYMPATHY

The Meriden Historical Society extends its condolences to Gregg Hugo on the passing of his wife Bonnie; to Charles Kline on the passing of his mother Eleanor and to Andrew Piatek on the passing of his mother Dorothy.

 

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR CORPORATE MEMBERS

 

Nest Egg Auctions

758 Four Rod Road

Berlin, CT 06037

203-630-1400

The Record Journal

500 S. Broad St,

Meriden CT 06450

203-235-1661

The Remodeling Company

848 N. Colony Rd

Meriden, CT 06450

203-213-1053

 

THE MERIDEN GRAVURE COMPANY- PRINTING BEFORE THE DIGITAL AGE – LECTURE AND BOOK SIGNING

Presented by William (Bill) J. Glick

Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. at the Meriden Public Library 105 Miller Street, Meriden

William J. (Bill) Glick will present an illustrated talk about the Meriden Gravure Company and the talented people who were the driving force behind this world renowned, Meriden based, printing company. In his presentation, Bill will draw on his 30 year association with the company as well as on his extensive research when writing his recently published book IN THE SERVICE OF SCHOLARSHIP: HAROLD HUGO & THE MERIDEN GRAVURE COMPANY (Oak Knoll Press 2017).

Book signing will follow the discussion.

This program is free to both members and non-members of the Meriden Historical Society. Refreshments will be served.

October 2017

 

AT THE RESEARCH CENTER:

Our president, Lesley Solkoske, assisted by our volunteer, Dan Metz, are valiantly working their way through our collection of silver-plate flatware. Lesley and Dan have been sorting and cataloging holdings that have been waiting to be evaluated for a very long time. Also hard at work are Paul Butkus and Kathy McMahon. Kathy and Paul are reorganizing the archives at our Annex.

 

SEEING THE PAST: STORIES ON THE TRAIL OF A YANKEE MILLWRIGHT

Presented by author Jim Powers

Thursday, October 12, 6:30 PM at the Meriden Public Library, 105 Miller Street, Meriden CT.

Among the stories of Connecticut’s Past is that of the development of the Britannia and Silver-plating industry particularly in Meriden and Wallingford and how it was a driving force in the evolution of industrial Connecticut during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The program is co-sponsored by the Meriden Public Library and is open to the public. Admission is free. Refreshments will be served. The program is co-sponsored by the Meriden Public Library and is open to the public. Admission is free. Refreshments will be served.

 

MEMBERS ONLY WINE & CHEESE RECEPTION is scheduled for Saturday, October 7, 4:30 – 6:30 PM

at the Andrews Homestead, 424 West Main Street, Meriden – sharing a parking lot with the Benjamin Franklin School. This event, given in appreciation of members support, will launch our October exhibit: Communication Before the Digital Age. The reception is for members in good standing and their guests only (one guest per member). Please RSVP by calling our office 203-639-1913 and leaving a message or by emailing us at : MeridenHistoricalSociety@gmail.com

We are looking forward to seeing you there!

 

COMMUNICATION BEFORE THE DIGITAL AGE – AN EXHIBIT

at the Andrews Homestead

will be open to the public 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

on Saturdays: October 14 & 28

and on Sundays: October 8, 15, 22 & 29

The “digital age”, also called the “information age”, is defined as the time period starting in the 1970s with the introduction of the personal computer, with subsequent technology introduced providing the ability to transfer information freely and quickly. The Public is invited to view items and images of the way we used to communicate before the Internet and personal computer made their way into our lives.

VOLUNTEERS AND DOCENTS WANTED!

EXHIBIT DOCENT TRAINING SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8th – 10:00 AM and for MONDAY OCTOBER 9 – 6:00 PM,

We could definitely use more volunteers, especially people who can help welcome visitors to the Andrews Homestead. Training for veteran docents and docents-to-be for the upcoming exhibit will take place on Sunday, October 8th at 10:00 am and on Monday, October 9th at 6:00 pm at the Andrews Homestead. Please RSVP by calling our office 203-639-1913 and leaving a message or by emailing us at : MeridenHistoricalSociety@gmail.com

We need a count to ensure we prepare enough material for all attendees.

 

DIGITIZE YOUR MEDIA – A Fund Raiser

With Digital Memory Media Saturday, October 7, 12:00 – 3:00 PM at the Bernice Morehouse Research Center, 1090 Hanover Ave, Meriden.

People were very pleased with this program last fall so, once again : If you ever wanted to convert your photos, home movies, slides, video tapes even your music to a digital format and have them stored on a CD or a thumb drive, here is your chance. An advisor from Digital Memory Media, will be at the Society’s Research Center, to consult, and if so desired, pick up any items brought in for digitization. Prices are: Video Tapes (VHS, VHS-C MINI DV, HI8): $17.00 per video; Slides (Glass or Celluloid): $0.50 each. Over 1,000 – $0.45 each; Photos/negatives: $0.50 each – over 1,000 – $0.45 each; Albums: $0.85 per page; 8mm & 16mm movies: 3-inch reel – $14.00 per reel, 5-inch reel – $25.00 per reel, 7-inch reel – $50.00 per reel; Vinyl Records: $29.00 per record; Audio Cassettes: $19.00 single sided $25.00 dual sided; Reel-to-Reel Audio: dual channel $30.00 quad channel $39.00; DVDs & CDs $7.00; Blu-Ray $13.00.

Digital Memory Media will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Society.

 

 

FOR THEIR GENEROSITY WE THANK:

Carl Sokolowski; and to Ric & Lisa Suzio who made a donation in honor of Dorothy Heffernan’s Birthday.

 

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR CORPORATE MEMBERS

 

Nest Egg Auctions

http://nesteggauctions.com

758 Four Rod Road

Berlin, CT 06037

203-630-1400

The Record Journal

http://myrecordjournal.com

500 S. Broad St,

Meriden CT 06450

203-235-1661

The Remodeling Company

848 N. Colony Rd

Meriden, CT 06450

203-213-1053

 

OCTOBER 2017 OPEN HOUSE AND SPECIAL EXHIBIT

Our October 2017 Open House will feature Communication Before the Digital Age. We’ll be open on Saturdays, October 14 & 28 and on Sundays, October 8, 15, 22 & 29 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
A special wine and cheese reception for members and their guests is scheduled for Saturday, October 7,  4:30PM – 6:30 PM.
Admission is free, donations are gratefully appreciated.

September 2017

THE 1916 MEXICAN PUNITIVE EXPEDITION presented by David Corrigan

Tuesday, September 12, 6:30 PM at the Meriden Public Library, 105 Miller Street, Meriden CT.

The Mexican Punitive Expedition was also known as the Pancho Villa Expedition. And Pershing’s Punitive Expedition

“Between June 27 and June 29, 1916 nearly 3,000 Connecticut National Guardsmen left Camp Holcomb in Niantic, bound for the Mexican border. The reasons for their journey are directly related to events stemming from the Mexican Revolution of 1910 and the almost constant state of flux in political and military affairs that followed…” (“CT Explored” Spring 2017)

Mr. Corrigan’s research for this lecture included a diary written by Private Ernest F. Schmith of Meriden, a member of Company L, 2nd Connecticut Infantry.

The program is co-sponsored by the Meriden Public Library and is open to the public. Admission is free. Refreshments will be served.

 

THE SOCIETY’S COMMUNITY TAG SALE Saturday, September 9 (Raindate September 16) 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

The second of our semi annual fund raising tag sales this year will be held at the Society’s Bernice Morehouse Research Center’s parking lot, 1090 Hanover Ave. Meriden, CT 06451 (enter through the New Hanover driveway).

Members and non-members are welcome to set up at the sale. The cost is a $15.00 donation to the Society per set-up ($10.00 for members). Vendors should bring their own tables.

As in previous years, the Meriden Historical Society will set up its own booth in the shed.  We hope to see you there.

 

MEMBERS ONLY WINE & CHEESE RECEPTION

is scheduled for Saturday, October 7, 4:30 – 6:30 PM at the Andrews Homestead, 424 West Main Street, Meriden – sharing a parking lot with the Benjamin Franklin School. This event, given in appreciation of members support, will launch our October exhibit: Communication Before the Digital Age. The reception is for members in good standing and their guests only (one guest per member). Please RSVP by calling our office 203-639-1913 and leaving a message or by emailing us at MeridenHistoricalSociety@gmail.com

We are looking forward to seeing you there!

 

COMMUNICATION BEFORE THE DIGITAL AGE – AN EXHIBIT will be open to the public 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM on Saturdays: October 14 & 28 and  on Sundays: October 8, 15, 22 & 29

The “digital age”, also called the “information age”, is defined as the time period starting in the 1970s with the introduction of the personal computer with subsequent technology introduced providing the ability to transfer information freely and quickly. The Public is invited to view items and images of the way we used to communicate before the Internet and personal computer made their way into our lives.

 

VOLUNTEERS AND DOCENTS WANTED!

EXHIBIT DOCENT TRAINING SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1ST AT 1:00 PM

We could definitely use more volunteers, especially people who can help welcome visitors to the Andrews Homestead. Training for veteran docents and docents-to-be for the upcoming exhibit will take place on Sunday, October 1st at 1:00 pm at the Andrews Homestead. Please RSVP by calling our office 203-639-1913 and leaving a message or by emailing us at : MeridenHistoricalSociety@gmail.com

We need a count to ensure we prepare enough material for all attendees.

 

DIGITIZE YOUR MEDIA – A Fund Raiser 

With Digital Memory Media Saturday, October 7, 12:00 – 3:00 PM at the Bernice Morehouse Research Center, 1090 Hanover Ave, Meriden.

People were very pleased with this program last Fall so, once again : If you ever wanted to convert your photos, home movies, slides, video tapes even your music to a digital format and have them stored on a CD or a thumb drive, here is your chance. An advisor from Digital Memory Media, will be at the Society’s Research Center, to consult, and if so desired, pick up any items brought in for digitization. Prices are: Video Tapes (VHS, VHS-C MINI DV, HI8): $17.00 each video; Slides (Glass or Celluloid): $0.50 each. Over 1,000 – $0.45 each; Photos/negatives: $0.50 each – over 1,000 – $0.45 each; Photo Albums: $0.85 per page; 8mm & 16mm movies: 3-inch reel – $14.00 each reel, 5-inch reel – $25.00 each reel, 7-inch reel – $50.00 each reel; Vinyl Records: $29.00 each record; Audio Cassettes: $19.00 single sided $25.00 dual sided; Reel-to-Reel Audio: dual channel $30.00 quad channel $39.00; DVDs & CDs $7.00; Blu-Ray $13.00.

Digital Memory Media will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Meriden Historical Society.

 

Congratulations

to Bill Glick on the publication of his scholarly book IN THE SERVICE OF SCHOLARSHIP: HAROLD HUGO & THE MERIDEN GRAVURE COMPANY – Oak Knoll Press, 2017

“In the Service of Scholarship is a history of one of the leading printing firms of the twentieth century. It is also a character study and biography of Harold Hugo (1910-1985), whose career at Meriden Gravure began at the age of fourteen and continued until his retirement as president in 1975.”

Copies are available for purchase at our Research Center or during the upcoming exhibit, while supplies last.

 

 

WE WELCOME OUR NEW MEMBERS:

Michael Iovanna of Meriden, Donna Lewis of Meriden, Daniel J. Metz, Jr. of Meriden, Amy Wes of Meriden, Joseph Zaborowski of Meriden.

 

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR CORPORATE MEMBERS

 Nest Egg Auctions

https://nesteggauctions.com

758 Four Rod Road

Berlin, CT 06037

203-630-1400

The Record Journal

http://myrecordjournal.com

500 S. Broad St,

Meriden CT 06450

203-235-1661

The Remodeling Company

848 N. Colony Rd

Meriden, CT 06450

203-213-1053

 

June 2017

THE LIFE AND LEGEND OF ROSA PONSELLE with Valerie Bubon
Thursday June 15, 6:30 PM at the Meriden Public Library, 105 Miller Street, Meriden CT.

        
Diva Rosa Ponselle – 1925                   Ms. Valerie Bubon

Valerie Bubon, a teacher, lecturer, opera singer, and a member of the Meriden Historical Society will present a program of the extraordinary career of Meriden-born opera diva, Rosa Ponselle.

The program will include an overview of Rosa Ponselle’s career with audio excerpts from her operas andn highlights from her 1934 – 1936 radio broadcast years. A film clip of Ponselle’s MGM screen test will also be shown, with a question and answer to follow. This program is co-sponsored by the Meriden Public Library. Admission is free. Refreshments will be served.

 

TAG SALES SCHEDULED FOR 2017
SATURDAY, JUNE 17 & SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 16

We have scheduled 2 tag sale fund raising events this year. The first will be held on Saturday, June 18 and the second on Saturday September 17, with a rain date of the Saturday following each originally scheduled date. The sales will be held at the Society’s Bernice Morehouse Research Center’s parking lot, located at 1090 Hanover Ave. Meriden, CT 06451

Members and non-members are welcome to set up at the sale. The cost is a $15.00 donation to the Society per set-up ($10.00 for members).

As in last year, the Meriden Historical Society will set up its own booth in the shed.  We hope to see you there.

 

FROM THE INTERNATIONAL SILVER COLLECTION
 

While looking through boxes of the International Silver Collection we came upon this charming medicine spoon.
The spoon features a clock-face and a moving arm used to indicate the time to take the next dose of medicine. It was patented on March 9, 1897 but was produced by Holmes and Edwards three years earlier. The spoon first appears in the catalog of 1894.

 

FOR THEIR GENEROSITY WE THANK
Alice Meigs, Andrew Piatek, and the visitors to the Meriden at War Exhibit.
Special thanks to the CUNO Foundation for their continuous support through their generous grant.

 

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR CORPORATE MEMBERS

Nest Egg Auctions

http://nesteggauctions.com

758 Four Rod Road

Berlin, CT 06037

203-630-1400

The Record Journal

http://myrecordjournal.com

500 S. Broad St,

Meriden CT 06450

203-235-1661

The Remodeling Company

848 N. Colony Rd

Meriden, CT 06450

203-213-1053

May 2017

MAY PROGRAM: SURVIVING THE HOLOCAUST with Local resident and Holocaust survivor Bernie Frydenberg
MONDAY may 15, 6:30 PM at the Meriden Public Library, 105 Miller St. Meriden CT (click here for directions)

We live at a time when the numbers of those who witnessed the horrors of WWII first hand and can recount their experiences are rapidly declining.
Bernie Frydenberg was 14 when the Germans invaded Poland. Like most of the Jewish population of Demblin, his hometown, Bernie was sent to a concentration camp. Unlike most of the Jews sent to concentration camps, Bernie survived. He was liberated 71 years ago on May 8th 1945.
You are invited to bear witness to the testimony of his survival.
This program is co-sponsored by the Meriden Public Library. Admission is free. Refreshments will be served.

 

MERIDEN AND THE NATION’S WARS – AN EXHIBIT
AT THE ANDREWS HOMESTEAD our showcase museum, 420 W. Main Street, Meriden (sharing a parking lot with the Benjamin Franklin elementary school) (click here for directions)
EVERY SUNDAY in MAY from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm & THURSDAY, MAY 4th and MAY 18th from 5:00  to 8:00 pm.
Our May exhibit covers The Civil War, the Spanish American War, WWI, WWII, the Korean and the Vietnam wars. The Andrews Homestead itself was built in 1760, just prior to the Revolutionary War. It stands a silent witness to that era.

A special section is set aside to commemorate the 100th anniversary of WWI; another is dedicated to Women of Meriden and their contributions both at home and overseas.

The exhibit is free and open to the public.
Servicewomen and servicemen visiting the exhibit will receive a special recognition.

 

*******************************

This rare 1830s Shelf Clock was made in Meriden by Orrin Cook. The clock is a recent donation to the Meriden Historical Society.

 

MEMBERSHIP DINNER & ANNUAL MEETING THURSDAY MAY 11, 2017 6:00 PM
at the BERNICE MOREHOUSE RESEARCH CENTER 1090 HANOVER AVE, MERIDEN, CT (click here for directions)
Meriden Historical Society’s members in good standing will attend the Society’s annual Pizza and Pop Social, Dinner and Dessert event. Committee reports will be given followed by a vote-in of a slate of directors and officers for the year 2017/2018. A list of the proposed slate was sent to all members.
This meeting is a opened to members and their guests only.

 

FOR THEIR GENEROSITY WE THANK
Ken Karpowicz of Bloomfield and Thomas Manning of Wallingford. Special thanks to Jim Ieronimo of United Way of Meriden and Wallingford for aiding us by the preparation of our taxes for 2016 and saving us many hundreds of dollars.

 

DOCENTS NEEDED FOR MAY EXHIBIT
We could use your help at the open house and exhibit at the Andrews Homestead. Please call 203-639-1913 and leave a message, we’ll call you back.

*************

 

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR CORPORATE MEMBERS

Nest Egg Auctions

http://nesteggauctions.com

758 Four Rod Road

Berlin, CT 06037

203-630-1400

The Record Journal

http://myrecordjournal.com

500 S. Broad St,

Meriden CT 06450

203-235-1661

The Remodeling Company

848 N. Colony Rd

Meriden, CT 06450

203-213-1053

April 2017

April Program: MERIDEN’S HISTORY & SETTING INSPIRES ASYLUM with local author Kathryn Orzech.

THURSDAY, APRIL 13 6:30 at the Meriden Public Library:

Kathryn Orzech, award-winning local author of Asylum and Premonition of Terror, and, as she describes herself when telling about her website Dreamwatch.com: “Not a Psychic but…”, will talk about how the history of Meriden inspired her and found its way into her book Asylum.

This program is co-sponsored by the Meriden Public Library. Book signing will follow the talk. Admission is free so bring a friend!
Refreshments will be served.

 

AT THE ANDREWS HOMESTEAD: MERIDEN’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE NATION’S WARS.

We are getting ready for the May Open House with a special exhibit: MERIDEN’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE NATION’S WARS.

The exhibit will cover The Civil War, the Spanish American War, WWI, WWII, the Korean and the Vietnam wars. A special section is set aside to commemorate the 100th anniversary of WWI; another is dedicated to Women of Meriden and their contributions both at home and overseas.

The exhibit and open house will be held every Sunday in May from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm AND  the following Thursdays: May 4th and May 18th – 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Docent Volunteers are needed.

On Sundays shifts run 11:00 – 1:00 and 1:00 to 3:00 and/or any of the two Thursdays 5:00 – 8:00 shift.

Please call us 203-639-1913 and leave your name and number, we’ll call you back

 

DAFFODILE FESTIVAL TAG SALE

Visit us under the tent at the Daffodil Festival giant tag sale Saturday, April 22, 2017 and show your support!

 

NEWS FROM THE ARCHIVES

by: Paul S. Butkus

Work on the cataloging of the International Silver Company Archives is progressing with over 70 trade catalogs, brochures and binders of information photographed or scanned and listed. This amounts to approximately 8,000 pages of information from the Meriden Britannia Co., International Silver Co., Meriden Silver Plate Co., Middletown Plate Co., Simpson Hall, Miller & Co., Wilcox Silver Plate Co. and a couple of other catalogs from companies that were not part of IS but are included in the archives. (Companies that either sued or were sued by Meriden Britannia Co. over design or trade mark issues). In addition to compiling the inventory information into a spreadsheet list, work is under way to develop an easy to use a computer interface based upon web technology. This will facilitate easier access to the digital files for research purposes while helping to preserve the originals. A beta version is almost ready to be set up at the Research Center.

Since we are at the beginning of spring, a few items found within the archives seem appropriate to share in this April newsletter.

For baseball fans we have this photo of a custom made, sterling silver baseball. It was likely commissioned to commemorate William Harridge becoming president of the American League. Its whereabouts is unknown but the Meriden Historical Society has a silver baseball bat in the collection that can be seen at the Andrews Homestead.

Illustration 1: 1931 American League Sterling Baseball William Harridge, president (1931-1959)

 

For the nature minded, Meriden will be celebrating the 39th Annual Daffodil Festival at the end of the month of April but daffodils have been immortalized in silver for many years by the divisions of the International Silver Company. In addition to the classic 1950s ‘Daffodil’ flatware and hollow ware marketed under the 1847 Rogers Bros. mark, the Wilcox division made a number of hollow ware pieces decorated with a patented cast daffodil ornament that was applied to the surface rather than being embossed. A design patent was issued to Seth William Babbitt of Meriden on August 12, 1902 which shows a fully opened flower, a bud and leaves.

Illustration 2: 1902 Patent issued to S.W. Babbitt of Meriden

 

Illustration 3: Wilcox Silver Plate Co. Ice Tub decorated with the Babbitt ‘Daffodil’ ornamentation

 

 

WE NOTE WITH SORROW

The passing of our members:

Arthur Geary and Kenneth Dow

 

FOR THEIR GENEROSITY:

We thank Emily Belanger, Martha Colaresi, Margaret Jenkins, Helen Reid, John Rush, Patricia F. Singer, and The Center for 20th Century Texas Studies.

 

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR CORPORATE MEMBERS

 

Nest Egg Auctions

http://nesteggauctions.com

758 Four Rod Road

Berlin, CT 06037

203-630-1400

The Record Journal

http://myrecordjournal.com

500 S. Broad St,

Meriden CT 06450

203-235-1661

The Remodeling Company

848 N. Colony Rd

Meriden, CT 06450

203-213-1053