A Sterling Silver Rogers Bross Antique Flatware Set

Antique and vintage “Rogers” flatware can be a minefield for appraisers because the name spans multiple firms, trademarks, and quality levels. The phrase “Rogers Bross” in a listing often signals a misspelling of “Rogers Bros.” and, more importantly, a common misunderstanding: most “Rogers Bros” sets are silverplated, not solid sterling. This guide explains how to identify, authenticate, and appraise a Rogers-labeled flatware service—pinpointing when it is truly sterling, how the branding evolved, which patterns carry demand, and how to derive a defensible value.

Rogers Bros vs “Rogers Bross”: A Brief Brand Primer

• The name: “Rogers Bros” (short for Rogers Brothers) is the correct form; you will also see “1847 Rogers Bros,” “Wm. Rogers,” “Rogers & Bro,” and numerous variations. “Bross” is almost certainly a misspelling in the secondary market.
• The date “1847”: On “1847 Rogers Bros,” the number is a trademark highlighting an early Rogers firm date, not a manufacturing date and not an indicator of sterling content.
• Corporate lineage: Multiple firms used the Rogers surname in the 19th century. By the late 1890s, many Rogers marks were consolidated into International Silver Company (Meriden, CT). International Silver kept using the famous Rogers brands for decades.
• Material reality: The vast majority of “1847 Rogers Bros” and other Rogers-marked sets are silverplated. International Silver did produce sterling patterns, but typically those bear “International Sterling” or “Sterling” rather than a Rogers-plate mark.

Key takeaway: A “Rogers Bros” mark alone is not evidence of sterling. Authentication hinges on the presence (or absence) of true sterling hallmarks.

Hallmarks: Sterling vs Silverplate

Sterling silver in U.S.-made flatware must be explicitly marked. Understanding these marks is the linchpin of any appraisal.

What confirms sterling:

• “STERLING” stamped in full on the reverse of spoons and forks.
• “.925” or “925/1000” (less common in older American flatware, but valid).
• On knives with hollow handles: “STERLING HANDLE” or “STERLING” along the handle seam or near the bolster. The blade is often stainless or plated steel; only the handle is sterling.

What signals plating (not sterling):

• “1847 Rogers Bros” (trademark for plate).
• “Rogers & Bro,” “Wm. Rogers,” “Rogers A1,” “AA,” “Triple,” “Quadruple Plate” (plating thickness grades).
• “IS” flanking the name (stands for International Silver; it does NOT mean sterling).
• “EPNS,” “EP,” “Silverplate,” or “Nickel Silver” (the last contains no silver despite the name).

Common pitfalls:

• Misreading “IS”: Many sellers claim “IS” means “International Sterling.” It does not. “IS” identifies International Silver Company and appears on both plate and some sterling, so it is not determinative. You still need the word “STERLING.”
• Assuming old equals sterling: Age alone doesn’t help; 19th- and early 20th-century American makers produced vast quantities of plated wares.
• Weighted components: Candleholders and some hollowware may be stamped “Weighted Sterling.” In flatware, “sterling handle” knives are effectively weighted with pitch in the handles and are not solid silver through-and-through.

Verification routine:

• Use a loupe to scan the reverse of every piece; hallmark placement varies by pattern and piece type.
• Expect no sterling mark on blades; blades are typically steel.
• Avoid acid testing if you don’t need to—it can mar the surface and isn’t necessary when clear sterling marks are present.

Patterns and Period Context

While marks determine metal, patterns influence desirability and replacement value. Appraisers should be pattern-literate to position a set within the market.

Rogers silverplate favorites (often seen, strong replacement market, not sterling):

• Adoration (introduced 1930s)
• First Love (1930s)
• Eternally Yours (1941)
• Remembrance (1948)
• Flair (1956)
• Old Colony (1911) These are fine-quality plated services with enduring appeal, particularly for mid-century table settings. Their values hinge on completeness and condition.

Sterling patterns from International Silver (not typically branded “Rogers,” but relevant context):

• Prelude, Royal Danish, Wild Rose, Pinehurst, Joan of Arc (among others) These say “Sterling” or “International Sterling,” not “1847 Rogers Bros.”

Design clues and dating:

• Art Nouveau (c. 1895–1915): fluid florals, whiplash curves.
• Edwardian/classical (c. 1900–1920): neoclassical motifs, wreaths, delicate beading.
• Art Deco (c. 1925–1940): geometric, stepped forms, streamlined.
• Mid-century modern (c. 1940–1965): understated lines and subtle motifs.

Pattern identification workflow:

• Compare ornament at the terminal and shoulder (just above the bowl/tines); these are diagnostic zones.
• Measure lengths; many lines had “modern” and “continental” length variants.
• Check if serving pieces share the same terminal; mismatched serving utensils are common in assembled sets.

Condition, Completeness, and Originality

Condition grades materially affect value, especially for plate where the silver layer can wear through.

Condition scale (practical):

• Mint/unused: crisp detail, no polish lines, no monograms.
• Excellent: minimal wear, sharp pattern, no losses.
• Very good: light polish lines, slight heel wear on spoons, trivial dings.
• Good: visible heel wear, softening of detail, occasional pinprick plating losses.
• Fair: thinning, base metal bleed-through on high points, dents to hollow handles.
• Poor: heavy wear, re-plating, structural issues, blade replacements.

Key trouble spots:

• Heel wear on spoons (underside where it rests).
• Knife handles: splits at seams on hollow handles.
• Tines aligned on forks; bent tines lower value.
• Serving pieces: bowls prone to pitting or loss.
• Monograms: reduce broad-market appeal unless matching buyer needs; can add charm for some collectors.

Completeness:

• A “service for 12” commonly includes 5-piece place settings: dinner knife, dinner fork, salad/dessert fork, soup spoon, teaspoon. Some sets use 4-piece settings or include dessert/salad forks variably.
• Serving pieces elevate value: ladles, carving set, pastry server, cold meat fork, sugar shell, butter spreaders, pie/cake server.
• Matching counts and original pattern matters; mismatched or assembled sets carry a discount.

Original chests:

• Wooden presentation chests are convenient but add minimal value. Treat the chest as protective packaging rather than as a value driver unless it’s a branded, early, and high-quality case in excellent condition.

Care and conservation notes:

• Clean with non-abrasive silver polish; avoid dip solutions for knives with hollow sterling handles (solution can seep inside).
• Use soft cotton or microfiber; rinse and dry thoroughly.
• Store in anti-tarnish cloth rolls or a lined chest; keep silica gel nearby to mitigate humidity.

Valuation: From Identification to Numbers

Valuing a Rogers-marked set is a two-track exercise: “estate/use value” based on pattern desirability and completeness, and “metal (scrap) value” if it is genuinely sterling or if condition is too poor for use.

1. Confirm metal and pattern

• Establish whether each piece is sterling or plate via hallmarks.
• Identify the exact pattern; note the introduction date and style family.

2. Inventory and match

• Count every form by type and length. Note any substitutions (e.g., place vs dinner forks).
• Separate serving pieces and list individually; these command different prices from place pieces.

3. Assess condition

• Assign an overall condition grade and call out any issues item-by-item where impactful (e.g., 6 spoons with heel wear to base metal).

4. Weigh and calculate

• For sterling sets:
  • Weigh forks and spoons together in grams; these are solid and yield straightforward sterling weight.
  • Knives: most have hollow sterling handles with steel blades; only the handle contributes sterling weight. If marked “sterling handle,” weigh a representative knife, carefully subtract the approximate steel blade weight if you can remove a damaged blade, or use standard conversion guides for that pattern. Expect significant non-silver filler in handles.
  • Serving utensils vary; many solid pieces (e.g., ladles) are fully sterling and marked.
  • Convert grams to troy ounces (31.1035 g = 1 ozt). For an indicative scrap baseline: sterling content is 92.5% of gross sterling weight.
• For plate, metal value is negligible; value rests in replacement demand and completeness.

5. Establish market approach

• Replacement/retail comparables: Price by piece at the current replacement market level, then discount for wholesale or auction as appropriate.
• Set premium/discount: Matching services for 8–12 settings often bring a “set premium,” while odd counts may do better parted out.
• Scrap floor (sterling only): If demand is weak or condition poor, the scrap floor is the lower bound. Net proceeds are the sterling weight × spot silver × a typical buy rate (account for dealer margins and handling). Estate value should exceed scrap if the set is attractive and serviceable.

6. Synthesize a conclusion

• Provide a range reflecting both venue (auction vs private sale vs retail replacement) and time horizon. Note risks: monograms, re-plated pieces, or non-matching knives can depress prices.

Quick Appraisal Checklist

• Read every hallmark; look specifically for “STERLING.” Treat “1847 Rogers Bros” and “IS” as plate unless accompanied by “STERLING.”
• Identify the pattern and confirm all pieces match.
• Separate and count by type; list serving pieces individually.
• Grade condition; note heel wear, bent tines, seam splits, and monograms.
• For sterling: weigh solid pieces and estimate hollow-handle sterling content.
• Compare replacement values vs potential scrap floor; choose set sale or part-out strategy.
• Ignore chest value in the main calculation; treat as a convenience.

FAQ

Q: My set says “1847 Rogers Bros IS.” Is it sterling? A: No. That mark denotes a plated line under International Silver. Unless pieces are also stamped “STERLING,” consider it silverplate.

Q: Some knives say “Sterling Handle.” Are they solid sterling? A: Only the handles are sterling; blades are usually stainless or plated steel. The handles are also often pitch-filled (“weighted”), yielding less recoverable silver than their size suggests.

Q: Can wear be professionally removed? A: Light polish lines can be improved with careful hand polishing. Plate loss cannot be “polished out.” Re-plating is possible but often costs more than the market value added, and it may not match original tone.

Q: Do monograms kill value? A: They narrow the buyer pool and usually reduce general-market value, but collectors of specific patterns may accept tasteful monograms at a modest discount. Matching family monograms across a set can be preferable to a mix.

Q: How do I date a Rogers pattern? A: Use the pattern name to find its introduction era. Style cues (Art Nouveau, Deco, mid-century) help, but the precise pattern name is the most reliable dating tool. Remember that “1847” in the mark is a brand, not the manufacture year.

In sum, the strongest appraisals for “Rogers Bross/Bros” flatware hinge on hallmark literacy. Confirm metal first, then let pattern, condition, and completeness drive value. For sterling, compute a clear weight-based floor; for plate, emphasize utility, pattern appeal, and the presence of desirable serving pieces.