The historical Gorham Silver Company was founded in 1831 by Jabez Gorham, a master craftsman together with Henry L. Webster at Providence, Rhode Island. The name of the firm was Gorham and Webster. Its main product was silver spoons although they also made small items like combs, thimbles and jewelry. When Gorham’s son, John, joined the firm in 1841, the name was changed to Jabez Gorham and Son. This was the height of the American silver industry, when a tariff was issued blocking the importation of silverware from outside of United States. However, Jabez did not take chances, his son, John succeeded him as the head of the company.
All listings below provided by ebay
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 GORHAM SILVER CREAMER AND SUGAR BOWL  US $40.00
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 GORHAM SILVER BOWL US $20.00
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 STERLING SILVER 5 OCLOCK TEA BABY SPOON GORHAM MOTHERS OLD PATTERN 1875 P MONOG US $9.99
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John Gorham was full of visions. He introduced the company to machinery. As a result, its company was the first to utilize factory methods to augment hand craftsmanship in silver production. He also enlarged the firm’s premises in downtown Providence as well as improved the designs and eventually expanded the product line. He even sought the expertise of highly skilled foreign workmen to train his American workers. This brought George Wilkinson, the premier designer and workshop manager to his company.
In 1863, the firm was chartered by the Rhode Island Legislature as the Gorham Manufacturing Company. They later abandoned the coin silver standard (900/1000) and adopted the sterling standard of 925/1000 in the year 1868. This company has been noted for the fine quality of its work as well as superior design and fine finishing of all products. At this time the famous Gorham trademark (a lion, an anchor and a capital G) was adopted for use on all the sterling articles. As we all know, trademarks are distinctive signs or indicators used to identify a certain product or service to consumers distinguishing it from other entities. And that is what Gorham Silver Marks brought them, it was able to distinguish and established itself with the help of its trademark to a lot of consumers.
The Gorham Silver familiar trademark was used between 1848 to 1868 when the lion was still facing to the left. After 1865, the lion faced to the right facing the anchor. This was the trademark for sterling silver. Another famous of one of the Gorham Silver Marks is the Gorham Martele' Trademark that was used for the Martele' silverware line.
The year markings in holloware have been also used since 1868. Letters of the alphabet from A through Q were used from 1868 through 1884 at which time symbols were adopted for each year until 1933 at which time they were discontinued. The geometric pictogram indicates the decade of manufacture, the numeral within indicates the year of the decade. For example in 1940, the year mark was a number 0 inside a square frame. For the year 1953, the year mark was 3 inside a pentagon frame. For 1968, the year mark was 8 inside a hexagon frame. Also with 1976, the year mark was 6 inside a heptagon frame and so on and so forth.
Indeed, Gorham found the way to popularity with his hard work and foresight. It will inspire us to do the same in our present world. And as for collectors and collectible enthusiasts, be aware of this trademark. It will help you in your quest for genuine Gorham silver items. Look for the Gorham silver marks which truly signify authenticity.
