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Gorham Manufacturing Company
| Name: | Gorham Manufacturing Company |
|---|---|
| Dates: |
1865 - 1961 (Life/Active Dates)
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| Biography/History: | Jabez Gorham apprenticed to Nehemiah Dodge of Providence RI, 1806-13, later forming Gorham & Webster (1831) and Gorham, Webster & Price (1837). In 1841, J. Gorham & Son formed as a separate company to handle the silver business. In 1850 son John Gorham formed Gorham & Thurber and began making hollowware. The name changed to Gorham and Co. in 1852, and soon dominated the industry by mechanizing, first with a steam-powered drop press for manufacturing flatware. The product line expanded under chief designer George Wilkinson, 1856-1891. In 1856, the company also opened a Providence distribution outlet to sell Gorham silver goods and other luxury items; this business later become the Tilden-Thurber Co. In 1860 John Gorham lured European silver craftsmen and designers, and in 1865 incorporated as Gorham Manufacturing Company and began producing electroplated wares. In 1868 they discontinued making solid silver goods in coin silver, and adopted the English sterling standard of .925 fine; most other silver manufacturers followed suit. Gorham operated a retail store in New York City, 1873-1877; they opened another on Fifth Avenue in 1905 retaining an interest until 1962 in partnership with Black, Starr & Frost Gorham hired designer C. Antoine Heller in 1880. Englishman William C. Codman became chief designer in 1891 and created Chantilly (1895), the most popular flatware pattern worldwide; he obtained 55 flatware design patents before retiring in 1914. In 1896 the company created Martele, an expensive line of completely handmade silver wares, active through 1912, with commissions into the 1920s. The Athenic line (1901-c.1915) was both hand and machine made, combining silver with other metals and materials such as glass and ivory. Gorham acquired numerous silver manufacturers; many continued using their names after acquisition, including Wm. B. Kerr & Co., Mt. Vernon Company, Roger Williams Silver Co., Whiting Manufacturing Co. and William B. Durgin Co., Alvin Silver Co., and McChesney Co. Danish silversmith Erik Magnussen joined as designer 1925-1929, launching the modern style. During World War II Gorham produced small arms parts and machinery components for the war effort. In 2005, Gorham was sold to Lenox; Lifetime Brands acquired Gorham’s sterling silver division in 2007 |
| Related Objects: |
3321.18 (Spoon, Serving, Silver Serving Spoon, Late 19th Century)
3321.27 (Trophy, Louis Davenport's Trophy, 1906)
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