E. G. Webster & Son / E. G. Webster & Bro. / Webster Mfg Co. - designs in collections, at auction, and in exhibitions

ADC staff
artdesigncafé - design | Design Meriden | 21 December 2016 | Updated 27 December 2021
LINK: Webster design catalogues and historical information

According to Earl Chapin May (1947), Webster Mfg. Co. started in 1859 in Brooklyn later became E. G. Webster & Bro. in 1863, and then became E. G. Webster & Son in 1886. The company later became part of the International Silver Company, headquartered in Meriden, CT in 1928. In this year, E. G. Webster & Son was moved from Brooklyn to Meriden.

— Earl Chapin May in A century of silver 1847-1947 (1947), inside front cover and p. 173. (See entry listed on the Design Meriden - Webster design catalogues and historical information page.)

Also, evidence shows that by 1954 the "Webster-Wilcox" division, combining E. G. Webster & Son and the Wilcox Silver Plate Co., at the International Silver Co. was formed. However, for the historical record, it is incorrectly noted as happening in either 1960 or 1963 in Edmund P. Hogan’s An American heritage: A book about the International Silver Company (1977), (pp. 164 & 170). See the 1954 advertisement listed on the Design Meriden - Webster-Wilcox design catalogues and historical information page.

A. E. G. Webster & Son / E. G. Webster & Bro. / Webster Mfg Co - designs in museums (by year)

Info/photo status:

= info and photo online
= info online, no photo
= completely offline

1850s

1859-63 - covered, decorative bowl

Webster Mfg. Co. (1859-63). Covered, decorative bowl. Silver plate. (Object ID no. B573. Viewed 12 July 2018. G02577-78).

Photo - Southern Historical Oregon Society, Medford, OR.

1859-73 - tea urn

Webster Mfg. Co. (1859-73). Tea urn. Electroplated silver, ivory. (Cat. no. F10.0040. Viewed 6 July 2018. G02341-42).

Photo - Historic Richmond Town, Staten Island, NY.

c. 1859-86 - two plates

Webster Mfg. Co / E. G. Webster & Bros. (c. 1859-86). Two plates. Silver plate. (Accession no. H.2011.52.1-2. Viewed 11 June 2017. A02727-28.)

Photos - North Carolina Museum of History, Raleigh, NC. (Search the collection.)

1860s

1863-86 - pickle jar

E. G. Webster & Bro. (1863-86). Pickle jar. (Accession no. 1999.602.1-4. Viewed 31 August 2020. J00520).

Photos - Centre historique des Soeurs de Sainte-Anne, Lachine, Quebec - Artefacts Canada micro-site, Government of Canada. (Search the micro-site, advanced search, select "Accession number".)

c. 1863-86 - water service

E. G. Webster & Bro. (c. 1863-86). Water service: pitcher; goblet; waste bowl; serving tray. (Accession no. 1986.012. Viewed 14 July 2018. G02683-90).

Photos - State Historical Museum of Iowa, Des Moines: pitcher; goblet; waste bowl; tray.

c. 1863-86 - stein

E. G. Webster & Bro. (1863-86). Stein. Silver plate. (Cat. no. 2004.11.07.ju. Viewed 6 July 2018. G02362-64).

Photo - Chautauqua Institition, Chautauqua, New York.

c. 1863-86 - condiment set

E. G. Webster & Bro. (c. 1863-86). Condiment set (Identifier: V 6248.1. Viewed 6 May 2020. J00298).

Photo - Grand Rapids Public Museum, Michigan.

1867-75 - serving tray

(Attributed to) Webster Manufacturing Company. (1867-75). Serving tray. Silver plate. (Accession no. 54.339.10. Viewed 6 June 2017. A02603.)

Photo - Museum of the City of New York.

1870s

1870-73? - coffee or tea service

Webster Manufacturing Company. (1870-73?). Coffee or tea service: coffeepot, sugar basin, and milk pot. (Accession no. 1989.436.1-3. Viewed 26 August 2018. J00135).

Photo - Art Institute of Chicago.

1873-86 - glass holder

Presumably E. G. Webster & Bro. (1873-86). Glass holder. (Identifier: 124012. Viewed 6 May 2020. J00299).

Photo - Grand Rapids Public Museum, Michigan.

1875-90 - sugar bowl with lid

Hobbs, Brockunier & Co. / Webster Mfg. Co. (silver-plated frame). (1875-90). Sugar bowl with lid. (Accession no. 96.4.40. Viewed 27 December 2016. A01334.)

Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, New York.

1880s

c. 1880 - water pitcher

E. G. Webster & Brothers. (c. 1880). Water pitcher. Engraved silverplate 13 x 11 1/2 in. (Accession no. 2005.11.1. Viewed 23 December 2016. A01325.)

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City. (Search collection online.)

c. 1880s - serving tray

E. G. Webster & Son. (c. 1880s). Serving tray. (Accession no. 77.14.1. Viewed 20 November 2020. J00964).

Photo - Randall House, Wolfville Historical Society, Wolfville, Nova Scotia - NovaMuse website.

c. 1885 - nut bowl

E. G. Webster & Bro. (c. 1885). Nut bowl. (Accession no. 1989.0698. Viewed 9 February 2021. J01088).

Photos - National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC.

1886 - two oil lamps

E. G. Webster & Son. (1886). Two oil lamps. (Accession no. 1987.0001. Viewed 9 February 2021. J01086-87).

National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC: lamp 1; lamp 2.

after 1886 - moustache cup and saucer

E. G. Webster & Son. (after 1886). Moustache cup and saucer. (Identifier: 116176. Viewed 6 May 2020. J00300).

Photo - saucer - Grand Rapids Public Museum, Michigan.

1886-1928 - inkstand

E. G. Webster & Son. (1886-1928). Inkstand. (Accession no. 166645. Viewed 24 September 2020. J00769).

Photos - National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC.

1886-1928 - hot water pot

E. G. Webster & Son. (1886-1928). Hot water pot. Electroplated nickel silver; rattan. (Accession no. 1982.0273 A, B. Viewed 28 March 2017. A01840.)

Photo - Winterthur Museum, Delaware.

1886-1928 - pitcher

E. G. Webster & Son. (1886-1928). Pitcher. Silver, wood. (Accession no. 152368. Viewed 27 December 2016. A01339.)

Photo - National Museum of American History, Smithsonian, Washington, DC.

1886-1928 - sugar bowl

E. G. Webster & Son. (1886-1928). Sugar bowl. Silver plate, glass liner. (Accession no. 1977.0918. Viewed 27 December 2016. A01340.)

Photo - National Museum of American History, Smithsonian, Washington, DC.

1886-1928 - creamer

E. G. Webster & Son. (1886-1928). Creamer. Silver plate, glass liner. (Accession no. 1977.0918. Viewed 27 December 2016. A01341.)

Photo - National Museum of American History, Smithsonian, Washington, DC.

1886-1928 - tobacco box

E. G. Webster & Son. (1886-1928). Tobacco box. (Accession no. 200122. Viewed 24 September 2020. J00768).

Photo - National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC.

1890s

c. 1890 - tea set

E. G. Webster & Son. (c. 1890). Tea set. (Accession nos. 88.65.1-4. Viewed 27 December 2016. A01335-38.)

Photos - Brooklyn Museum, New York (teapot; sugar bowl; creamer; waste bowl).

1890-1940 - souvenir spoon

E. G. Webster & Son / possibly ISC. (1890-1940). Souvenir spoon (with insignia of the 23rd Infantry of the New York State National Guard). (Accession no. 2016.2.29. Viewed 6 June 2017. A02610.)

Photo - Museum of the City of New York.

c. 1895 - two candlestick holders

E. G. Webster & Son. Two candlestick holders. Silver or silver plate. (Cat. nos. 1993.035.002a-b. Viewed 10 July 2018. G02463-65).

Photos - Jewish Museum of Maryland, Baltimore: Candlestick holder 1; 2.

c. 1895 - creamer

E. G. Webster & Son. (c. 1895). Creamer. Silver plate. (Object no. 1941.842. Viewed 9 April 2017. A02085.)

New York Historical Society, New York.

c. 1897 - trophy

E. G. Webster & Son. (c. 1897). Trophy. (Accession no. M91.28.3. Viewed 4 February 2021. J01068).

Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax - Artefacts Canada micro-site, Government of Canada. (Search the micro-site, advanced search, select "Accession number".)

1900s

c. 1901? - cup

Alice Morse Earle for E. G. Webster & Son. (c. 1901?). Cup. Silver. Object no. 99.40. (Viewed 21 April 2018. G02079).

Photo - Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute, Utica, New York.

early 20th c. - tray

E. G. Webster & Son. (early 20th century). Tray. (Accession no. HD P.388. Viewed 6 July 2018. G02325-26).

Photo - Historic Deerfield organization, Massachusetts. (Search the collection).

1910s

1913 - footed bowl, trophy, Art Nouveau design

E. G. Webster & Son. (1913). Footed bowl, trophy, Art Nouveau design. Silver or silver plate. (Cat. no. 2003.04.01. Viewed 8 July 2018. G02407-08).

Photo - American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis, MN.

1913 - platter, Art Nouveau design

E. G. Webster & Son. (1913). Platter, Art Nouveau design. Silver or silver plate. (Cat. no. 2003.04.02. Viewed 8 July 2018. G02409-10).

Photo - American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis, MN.

1913 - twelve punch cups, Art Nouveau design

E. G. Webster & Son. (1913). Twelve punch cups, Art Nouveau design. Silver or silver plate. (Cat. no. 2003.04.03-14. Viewed 8 July 2018. G02411-12).

Photo - American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis, MN.

1920s

E. G. Webster & Son became part of the International Silver Company in 1928. After this date, it is assumed that any design patents utilized by the E. G. Webster & Son division or brand were assigned to the International Silver Company. (See the ISC historical documentation page).

1950s

Evidence shows that by 1954 the "Webster-Wilcox" division, combining E. G. Webster & Son and the Wilcox Silver Plate Co., at the International Silver Co. was formed. However, for the historical record, it is incorrectly noted as happening in either 1960 or 1963 in Edmund P. Hogan’s An American heritage: A book about the International Silver Company (1977), (pp. 164 & 170). (See the 1954 advertisement on the Design Meriden - Webster-Wilcox documentation page.)

n. d.

n. d. - covered dish and tray

E. G. Webster & Son. (undated, 1866-1960). Covered dish and tray. (Accession no. HD P.352. Viewed 6 July 2018. G02323-24).

Photo - Historic Deerfield organization, Massachusetts. (Search the collection).

n. d. - bonbon dish

[Unspecified] Webster. (undated). Bonbon dish. (Cat. no. MP.2005.012.129. Viewed 4 July 2020. J00482).

Photo - Mordecai Historic Park, City of Raleigh, North Carolina.

1886-1928 - dish

E. G. Webster & Son. (1886-1928). Dish. (Accession no. 207992. Viewed 21 February 2021. J01131).

Photo - National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC.

19th century - covered vegetable dish

Presumably E. G. Webster & Son. (19th century). Covered vegetable dish. (Accession no. 93-2432. Viewed 19 December 2021. J01499).

Photos - Musée de la civilisation, Quebec City, Quebec.

n. d. - candy dish

E. G. Webster & Son. (undated). Candy dish. (Cat. no. H65.30.793. Viewed 19 October 2020. J00902).

Royal Alberta Museum, Edmonton, Alberta - Artefacts Canada micro-site, Government of Canada. (Search the micro-site, advanced search, select "Object name": "Dish", "Institution", and "Manufacturer": "E.G. Webster & Son".)

n. d. - trophy

E. G. Webster & Son. (undated). Trophy. (Accession no. 65.20.2. Viewed 20 November 2020. J00963).

Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax - Artefacts Canada micro-site, Government of Canada. (Search the micro-site, advanced search, select "Accession number".)

n. d. - spoon holder

E. G. Webster & Son. (undated). Spoon holder. (Cat. no. H65.30.801. Viewed 19 October 2020. J00903).

Royal Alberta Museum, Edmonton, Alberta - Artefacts Canada micro-site, Government of Canada. (Search the micro-site, advanced search, select "Object name": "Holder", "Institution", and "Manufacturer": "E.G. Webster & Son".)

20th c. - oval meat dish

E. G. Webster & Son. (20th century). Oval meat dish. Silver plate. (Accession no. 1991.457. Viewed 26 August 2018. J00137).

Birmingham Museum of Art, Alabama.

20th c. - oval meat dish

E. G. Webster & Son. (20th century). Oval meat dish. Silver plate. (Accession no. 1991.464. Viewed 26 August 2018. J00136).

Birmingham Museum of Art, Alabama.

B. E. G. Webster & Son / E. G. Webster & Bro. / Webster Mfg Co. - designs at auction

1940s

1940 - fourteen-piece punch set with tray

E. G. Webster & Son / International Silver Co. (1940). Fourteen-piece punch set with tray. (Viewed 27 December 2021. Q01095).

Photo - Sotheby’s New York - Important Americana (17 JAN 2019).

n. d.

early 20th c. - silver-plated salver

E. G. Webster & Son. (early 20th century). Silver-plated salver. (Viewed 13 July 2021. R01498).

Photo - Christie’s online sale - The Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller (1 - 11 May 2018).

n. d. - tea tray

Webster Mfg. Co. (undated). Victorian plated handled tray. (Viewed 23 December 2016. A01331.)

Photo - Bonhams Los Angeles - Sunset estate auction (21-22 SEP 2008).

c. 1900 - bridal basket

E. G. Webster. (late 19th / early 20th century). Bridal basket. Silver plate. (Viewed 23 December 2016. A01333.)

Photo - Christie’s New York - Silver (23 JUN 1994).

n. d. - five-piece tea and coffee set, tray, water pitcher

E. G. Webster & Sons [sic] / (International Silver Co.). (undated). Five-piece tea and coffee set with matching tray and water pitcher. (Viewed 23 December 2016. A01324.)

Photo - Bonhams San Francisco - SOMA estate auction (21-22 MAR 2010).

n. d. - plated pair of entree dishes, hot water basin, lamp stand

E. G. Webster & Son. (undated). Plated pair of entree dishes, hot water basin, lamp stand. (Viewed 23 December 2016. A01332.)

Photo - Bonhams San Francisco - SOMA estate auction (11 FEB 2007).

Click the following link to see designs and documentation for other historical silver companies from the Meriden area, and those that were connected to the International Silver Company; go to the historical Meriden design overview page and scroll down to section D: "ISC, predecessors & divisions" and E: "Other featured companies".

C. E. G. Webster & Son / E. G. Webster & Bro. / Webster Mfg Co. designs in exhibitions

1870s

1872 - Nashville Exposition

c. May 1872. Nashville Exposition, Nashville, Tennessee. (D00604).

> Unspecified designs by Rogers, Smith & Co. and Webster Manufacturing Co. exhibited by F. L. Davies & Bro., jewelers, Nashville. In a display combining designs by the two companies, "tea sets, waiters, epergnes, cake baskets, tureens, butter dishes, and other things" were presented.

For documentation, see design catalogues and historical information section below.

1872 - Brooklyn exposition

30 September - 16 October 1872. The Exposition and Industrial Fair of Kings County, Brooklyn Rink, Brooklyn, New York (Clermont Avenue, near Myrtle Avenue).

> "An exceedingly rich display of goods" exhibited by Webster Manufacturing Company. (See more details below in 1872 news reports.)

For documentation, see design catalogues and historical information section below.

1930s

1938 - Good Housekeeping exhibition house, Garden City, NY

c. February 1938. Good Housekeeping exhibition house, Garden City, New York.

> Exhibited "plated silver, ’Webster’ reproductions, International Silver Co. [possibly referring to E. G. Webster & Son.]

For documentation, see design catalogues and historical information section below.

See other exhibitions noted as including unspecified International Silver Company designs (1928-present). At this developing research point, E. G. Webster & Son designs could have been exhibited in some of these exhibitions.

1970s

1975 - New York and Cranbrook exhibitions

3 venues: 1975. Forms in metal: 275 years of metalsmithing in America at the Finch College Museum of Art, New York and the Museum of Contemporary Crafts, New York (17 January - 2 March 1975); second viewing at Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan (16 March - 20 April 1975). (Viewed 17 October 2016. AAA00361.)

Online - exhibition catalogue - American Craft Council, Minneapolis, MN.

See our Design Meriden compilation listing over 1000 exhibitions since 1851, featuring historical design associated with the Meriden area.

DESIGN MERIDEN:
On E. G. Webster & Son / E. G. Webster & Bro. / Webster Mfg Co. - 1: designs in collections, etc. | 2: design catalogues, etc.