Posts: 10
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 11-11-2003 01:21 AM            

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I recently acquired a coin meat platter stamped "Kidney & Johnson." I find references to Kidney, Cann & Johnson in the 1850s and earlier a Kidney & Dunn. I have found a reference to Kidney & Johnson, but only for flatware. The platter is 16 inch oval with a gadrooned edge with elegant initials, but otherwise plain and heavy. I have seen several similar platters by Fletcher & Gardiner. Any information that could help me date the platter and know a little more about K&J would be welcomed.

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Registered: May 2003

posted 11-11-2003 09:27 PM            

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By the sounds of it, a similar piece was sold and they describe it as follows:

"Large coin silver tray made by Kidney & Johnson in 1841. Monogrammed with "A.A.C.C." Measures 17" long, weighs 48 troy ounces. Hallmarked. Excellent condition."

Unfortunately no photos of the marks, nor information as to the precise dating.
As the measurements are slightly different, I guess this is not your piece.

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posted 11-11-2003 10:30 PM            

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As with many (most?) auctions, dating etc should be taken with a grain of salt. The rough chronology is this:

Edmond Kidney was working by 1853 with William Adams; there is some indication that he had apprenticed in the shop, but I have seen nothing conclusive. The partnership of Adams & Kidney lasted until 1862. In 1862/1863, he formed a partnership with John Cann and Samuel Johnson as Kidney, Cann, & Johnson. Johnson left in 1864 and the firm became Kidney & Cann. In 1865, Johnson re-joined and the name reverted back. In 1868, Cann left and the name changed to Kidney & Johnson. The firm disbanded c 1874. Though generally termed flatware makers, Kidney's various ads also offered a wide range of holloware; whether these were made in-house or bought in is open to further research.

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posted 11-11-2003 10:35 PM            

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Thanks for posting the photo, it is very similar, but you are right not mine and not the same monogram so probably not the same set. I wonder how they determined 1841?

After writing my first posting, I found another one sold on line, but smaller, a game platter than mine, but by Kidney & Johnson and described as 1844. The seller had no information on the firm and only estimated its age.

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posted 11-11-2003 10:42 PM            

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Dear Wev: Thanks for the indepth information, this explains a lot. It also helps me to understand that mine is not a Federal piece, but a late 1860s early 1870s item in the fashion of these earlier forms, which I suppose is based on Georgian patterns.

As American Federal platters and earlier are not common; how common are platters of this period? Judging by recent online sales, probably not that unusual, which is probably good news for me as I would like to find a set.

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posted 05-20-2008 05:38 AM            

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This is an old thread. For whatever it may be worth, here's a bit more about Edmund E Kidney: (1) Edmund married Louisa Baldwin in 1839. (2) In 1850 a Samuel Kidney whose occupation was also silversmith resided with Edmund and his family. (3) Indications are that Samuel who was about eight years younger than Edmund died in 1852 at about age twenty-three. (4) Judging by the fact that in 1850 a Joseph Kidney resided with the William Adams and Elizabeth Adams who age wise would have been Willim's mother, and in 1870 Henry Kidney, Edmund's son, resided with Elizabeth Adams, the two families were possibly related. (5) There were also Johnsons on hand with the Adams?

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