The Meriden Name Problem

Meriden Connecticut was center of silver and silver plate manufacturing. There were a few companies with Meriden in their name and I thought a short list might be useful to understanding the difference between them. (Similar names is an issue that has often been a source of confusion to me don't even get me started on flatware manufacturers)  The formation of the International Silver Company helped to consolidate these companies but it still used a variety of marks from the companies that formed it to indicate levels of quality.

A Few Facts (these will be on the test): The Meriden Silver Plate Co.

1. The Meriden Silver Plate Co. Was started in 1869.

2. It's factories were in Meriden Connecticut.

3. It helped form the International Silver Company in 1898.

4. It is not the same company as the Meriden Britannia Company.

5. Marks used into the 1930's.

6. Marks read: The Meriden Silver Plate Co., The Meriden S.P.Co., International S.Co., Eureka Silver Co.,   

A Few More Facts:  The Meriden Britannia Company

1. Started in 1852.

2.  First formed for creating Britannia (white metal) Hollowware.

3.  Offering plated ware by 1855

4.  In 1862 joined by the Rogers Brothers. (who used the 1847 Rogers Brothers mark from Hartford)    -the mess of "Rogerses" is something we will seek to unravel later.

5.  Had London and Canadian Branches.

6. Had sales offices in New York, Chicago, and San Fransisco.

7. 1898 - One of the founding members, and leading organizers of the International Silver Company.

8. The Meriden Britannia Company's marks were used until the 1930's.

9. Marks read Meriden B. Company, Sillimans Silver Ring, M.B. Co, M B C E P (in shields)

You can make a comparison of  the Meridian Britannia Company and the Meriden Silver Plate Co. marks at two wonderful sites.

First is the site 925-1000, they have an awesome list of marks, and a great library.

You can view it here.

Second is The Online Encyclopedia of American Silver Marks. This site is also a great resource for the collector.


You can view it here.

One More Meriden: Meriden Britannia Co. LTD.

1. Located in Hamilton Ontario.

2. Founded in 1879.

3. Canadian branch of Meriden Britannia Company.

4. Produced flatware (1847 Rogers, sterling)

5. Merged with International Silver Co. of Canada ~ 1912

Another Company: Meriden Cutlery Company

1. Early founding  - 1834

2. Started by  G. and D.N. Ropes (cutlery manufacturers) in Maine.

3. Business acquired by Julius Pratt & Co. of Meriden

4. 1845 merger creates Pratt, Ropes, Webb & Co. -located in Hanover Connecticut

5. 1855 Joint stock company Meriden Cutlery Company formed located in South Meriden Connecticut.

6. 1866 Purchased by Landers, Fray and Clarke.

7.  Landers, Fray and Clarke out of business in the 1960's

8. Made table cutlery, carving sets,  pearl handled cutlery, carving knives with sterling silver blades, some sterling

9. A January 2, 1891 Advertisement list their "Patented Celluloid Handle"

You can view this advert here.


The New Your Times had this to say about the Company in 1877.

Sale of American Cutlery

February 14, 1877, Wednesday

"The first public sale of cutlery under the auspices of the Table Cutlery Manufacturers' Association of the United States comprising the Beaver Falls Cutlery Company, Landers, Frary Clark, John Russel Cutlery Company, Meriden Cutlery Company, Chicago Cutlery Manufacturing Company, and Lamson Goodnow Manufacturing Company was begun yesterday."

You can read the whole article in .pdf here.

Two Final Meridens

1. Meriden Jly Co. or Meriden Jewelry Co.

2. Meriden Sterling Co. 1896-1904

The work A Historical Record and Pictorial Description of the Town of Meriden, The Town of Meriden Connecticut "The Silver City" (1906) By Charles Bancroft Gillespie, George Munsor Curtis covers the history of manufacturers in Meriden. Large sections of the book focus on the International Silver Company and covers at length both the Meriden Britannia Company and the Meriden Silver Plate Co. as well as other silver companies. It also gives the general history of the town on Meriden. This is an invaluable resource.