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Author Topic:   Collecting San Francisco Silver
Bob Schulhof

Posts: 194
Registered: Apr 99

iconnumber posted 04-26-1999 12:23 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Bob Schulhof     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Collecting San Francisco Silver

Collectors can thank the discovery of the Comstock load in 1859 in Western Nevada for the affordability and wide distribution of Silver flatware in America. Over $150 million in silver was pulled out between 1859 and 1880 which had a profound effect on the economy of the nation and helped the Union finance the Civil war. The Comstock catapulted San Francisco from a small port town to the most important city on the West Coast. Although the gold rush was over, a number of Silversmiths from the East moved in to cater to the wealthy the first of which was W.K. Vanderslice. Others of note and similarly Germanic names would join in such as Schulz and Fischer, Kohler & Ritter. Their Silver flatware produced between 1860 and 1880, began as copies of the universal patterns such as fiddle and thread but developed into some of the more distinctive patterns of the era.

Shown below are (left to right): Schulz & Fischer Medallion and Cleopatra (1874), Vanderslice Comstock (1874) and Gargoyle (1869) and finally Gothic which was made virtually identically by most of the companies including the above two and Kohler & Ritter.

Photo:

Availability

You won't find any San Francisco silver through the national pattern matchers. It is mostly found a piece at a time at antique shows, usually on the West Coast. Even then the pieces do not command any particular premium compared to other flatware of the 1860-80 era, which makes it a total bargain since the older flatware in general is still less than more recent pieces of popular grandma's silver. I have even found some in antique malls, considerably under priced, since no one knew what it was and it was taken for silver plate.

Because of the scarcity we have not been able to complete any place settings. The closest we come is with Gothic since we have pieces both by Kohler & Ritter and Vanderslice. We have a dinner for and luncheon fork, teaspoon & Tablespoon. I am not sure whether a dessert spoon was made, but we don't have one. It is likely to exist since Vanderslice did make them in Comstock. The next most available pattern is Cleopatra, which is seen even sometimes on the East coast. There we are missing a luncheon fork. I feel lucky to have found a tablespoon, teaspoon and dinner fork in Gargoyle. I have never seen a salad fork or pastry fork in any of these SF patterns .

If you enjoy the hunt and history you can't beat San Francisco silver.

Questions- Did they Make:

  1. Luncheon forks in Cleopatra?
  2. Oval Soup/Dessert Spoons in Gothic?
  3. Luncheon forks and Dessert spoons in Gargoyle?
  4. Pastry/salad/fish forks in any of the above?

Reference: "Silver in the Golden State" The Oakland Museum History Department, Oakland CA 1986.

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Trefid

Posts: 96
Registered: Nov 99

iconnumber posted 11-11-1999 01:58 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Trefid     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Luncheon forks were made in GARGOYLE. I have an example which measures 7", as opposed to the dinner fork of 7.75".

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zelda

Posts: 21
Registered: Mar 2004

iconnumber posted 03-18-2004 12:29 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for zelda     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Hi,

I'd like to know if Schulz & Fischer marked or stamped all their flatware, and specifically medallion, and if yes, what is that mark? The S&F medallion looks very similar to another manufacturer - I don't remember the name, but I think it begins with a 'W' - they both have that 'w' design near the base of the bowl - did one copy the other? If the piece isn't marked, how can one be sure it's either S&F or a reproduction - assuming repros were made?

Thanks for your help.
Rea

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kayvee
unregistered
iconnumber posted 03-19-2004 08:55 AM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
A fascinating article in the Jan/Feb 2004 issue of Silver Magazine entitled "The Trial of the Century: Gorham versus White, 1871," explains the genesis of the Gothic pattern. In essence, Gothic was a copy of Gorham's Cottage pattern, patented in 1861. The patent litigation went all the way to the Supreme Court and remains the definitive jurisprudence on design copyright. Well worth a read if you collect these patterns.

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Bob Schulhof

Posts: 194
Registered: Apr 99

iconnumber posted 03-19-2004 09:29 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Bob Schulhof     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have 5 pieces of Schulz & Fischer Medallion, 1 Sterling, 4 Coin.

The one marked STERLING has the name SCHULZ & FISCHER Spelled out

Of the other 4, 3 are marked COIN and have a retailers name + SF CAL but no makers mark.

S&F Medallion is very similar to Gorham Medallion.
One has no COIN or Sterling mark and just the retailers H ZACHARIAS (No SF). No makers mark.

None of mine have any fancy marks like a W. Just names spelled out.

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Brent

Posts: 1507
Registered: May 99

iconnumber posted 03-19-2004 11:16 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Brent     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have set of COMSTOCK dinner forks, and I have seen the tablespoons as well.

I have seen some California dessert or pie forks, in Schulz & Fischer's GEM pattern. They are fairly small, three tined with the left tine widened for cutting. If I can I will borrow one to take a picture of it.

Brent

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Paul Lemieux

Posts: 1792
Registered: Apr 2000

iconnumber posted 03-19-2004 11:21 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Paul Lemieux     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Sometimes S & F's silver is totally unmarked--no retailer, silver, or maker's marks. I have a small pie or pastry fork (like Brent describes) that has no marks whatsoever but the pattern is identified in Silver in the Golden State. Will try to post a picture today.

[This message has been edited by Paul Lemieux (edited 03-19-2004).]

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zelda

Posts: 21
Registered: Mar 2004

iconnumber posted 03-22-2004 10:47 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for zelda     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks, I appreciate the effort. I'll check back to see if another pic has been posted. I have medallion spoons that are only stamped sterling and they look like the pattern in the above picture of the San Francisco assortment.
Rea

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Paul Lemieux

Posts: 1792
Registered: Apr 2000

iconnumber posted 03-25-2004 12:12 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Paul Lemieux     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Schulz & Fischer Olympic (1875) pie fork

The fork is completely unmarked as to maker, silver content, & retailer, but the pattern is identified in Silver in the Golden State.

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Brent

Posts: 1507
Registered: May 99

iconnumber posted 03-25-2004 10:37 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Brent     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

Here are pictures of some dessert/pie forks in Schulz & Fischer's GEM pattern. The tines are unusual, in that the outside tines are both wider than the middle one and are curved inward slightly. The owner claims they are ideal for Key Lime Pie!

Note the marks: COIN, and the famous M.M. FREDERICK of Virginia City, Nevada. Frederick supplied manufactured silver to the people who struck it rich in the silver mining business around Virginia City. From what I have seen, he obtained a lot of his flatware from San Francisco manufacturers, and other pieces from John R. Wendt.

Brent

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zelda

Posts: 21
Registered: Mar 2004

iconnumber posted 03-26-2004 12:22 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for zelda     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'm so glad I found the SMP site - you are all so knowledgable and willing to share information! Thanks.
Rea

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ella

Posts: 1
Registered: Jul 2004

iconnumber posted 07-12-2004 01:32 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for ella     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
This weekend I was lucky enough to find a Schultz and Fischer Medallion knife at an antique mall for next to nothing. How exciting! Until I found this site, I was not aware that the pattern was manufactured in SF. I thought that it was an unmarked knock-off of Gorham's Medallion, simply retailed in SF. I'm so happy to have learned more.

Question:

Are knives exceedinly hard to find?

Were there dinner knives?

I believe the example I found is a luncheon knife. It is just over 7 inches long.

Ella

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Bob Schulhof

Posts: 194
Registered: Apr 99

iconnumber posted 07-12-2004 02:10 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Bob Schulhof     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
That is a great find! Silver luncheon knives are known in other medallion patterns but I have note seen them in SFO patterns. Dinner knives probably don't exist.

Could you post a picture of your knife or email it to me and I will put it on the site.

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