Hall, Elton & Co. designs in collections and in expositions — and historical information

Marks, advertisements & more concerning the legacy.

ADC staff
artdesigncafé - design | Design Meriden | 3 August 2017 | Updated 22 December 2021
Hall Elton and Co designs


Above, two illustrations of handle designs by Frederick Waterhouse for Hall, Elton & Co. Left, design patent no. 11,508 (1879); right, design patent no. 10,860 (1878). For more information, see below for listings.


"[Formed in 1837], in 1890 [Hall, Elton & Co.] was purchased by Maltby, Stevens & Curtiss which was in turn purchased by Watrous Mfg. Co." [Rainwater et al in 2004 Encyclopedia of American silver manufacturers, (p. 96). See entry below.]



A. Hall, Elton & Co. designs in collections (by year)


> Hall, Elton & Co.; successor: Maltby, Stevens & Curtiss.


Info/photo status: = info and photo online
= info online, no photo
= completely offline


1840s

1840-60 - three dinner forks

Hall, Elton & Co. (1840-60). Three dinner forks. Silver. (Accession no. 1971.1124.1-3. Viewed 25 August 2017. G00035-37.)

  • Photos - Historic New England organization, Boston (fork 1; 2; 3).

c. 1841 - pair of spoons

Hall, Elton & Co. (c. 1841). Pair of spoons. Silver. (Accession no. X70.1015ab. Viewed 28 August 2017. G00081.)

c. 1841 - teaspoon

Hall, Elton & Co. (c. 1841). Teaspoon. Accession no. 1969.649. Viewed 1 September 2017. G00092.)


1860s

c. 1865 - tablespoon, Medallion pattern

Hall, Elton & Co. (c. 1865). Tablespoon, Medallion pattern. Silver plate. (1989.71.9. Viewed 3 August 2017. A02798.)


B. Hall, Elton & Co. designs in expositions


1870s

1870 - American Institute Fair, New York

7 September - 2 November 1870. The American Institute Fair, New York.

> "Hall, Elton & Co., of Wallingford, Conn., and 36 Park Row, New York, are [exhibiting] splendidly finished knives, forks and spoons, all radially arranged from a common center", award "for silver plated forks, spoons, etc. Second premium".

  • For documentation, see historical section below.

1871 - American Institute Fair, New York

7 September - 4 November 1871. American Institute Fair, New York.

> Unspecified designs, "Plated, Nickel, Silver, Forks and Spoons", exhibited by Hall, Elton & Co.

  • For documentation, see historical section below.

1876 - Centennial International Exhibition, Philadelphia

10 May - 10 November 1876. Centennial International Exhibition, Philadelphia.

> Unspecified designs exhibited, "electro-plated table ware, spoons, forks, ladles, knives, etc.", by Hall, Elton & Co.

  • For documentation, see historical section below.



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



C. Hall, Elton & Co. historical information


> Hall, Elton & Co.; successor: Maltby, Stevens & Curtiss.


Material status: = online
= link to more info
= completely offline


1830s

Various newspapers, magazines and other sources

(c. 1837-). Various newspapers, magazines and other sources - search engines. (Updated 21 July 2020. C01254; H01533).


1850s

1853 - advertisements

Brooke & Whitney, Cleveland, OH. (c. 21 & 28 May 1853). Advertisements: "... German Silver and Plated Ware... From the celebrated manufactories... Hall, Elton & Co. ... " [with no illustrations]. Anti-Slavery Bugle (Salem, Ohio). (Viewed 29 June 2019. E00938-41).

1855 - advertisements

Tyler Davidson & Co., Cincinnati, OH. (23 February, 2 March 1855). Advertisements: "... Hall Elton & Co’s German Silver and Silver Plated Goods... " [with no illustrations]. Rchmon Indiana Palladium (Richmond, Indiana), unknown page number, col. 4. (Viewed 29 June 2019. E00935-37).

1856 - map

(1856). Map of New Haven County, Connecticut [with markings for Hall, Elton & Co. (several locations)]. H & C. T. Smith: Philadelphia. (Viewed 1 October 2020. E01632).

1857 - two advertisements

Newhall & Gregory, Auctioneers, presumably San Francisco, CA. (26 & 27 July 1857). Advertisement: Auction sales ... an entire invoice of Hall & Elton’s Silver Plated Ware... Heavy Silver Plated Table Spoons... Tea Spoons... Table and Dessert Forks... Oyster Ladles... Mustard and Bar Spoons... Napkin Rings and Salt Shovels... " [with no illustrations]. Daily Alta (San Francisco, California). (Viewed 12 July 2020. L01514-18).

1859 - advertisement

Newhall, Gregory & Co., San Francisco. (23 September 1859). Auction sales advertisement: "... Also, an invoice of Hall, Elton & Co’s Silver-plated Spoons & Forks... " [with no illustrations]. Daily Alta California (San Francisco, CA), presumably p. 3, col. 3. F01224-26).


1860s

1860 - advertisement

H. M. Newhall & Co., San Francisco. (22 March 1860). Auction sales advertisement: "... Also, an invoice of Hall, Elton & Co’s Silver-plated Spoons & Forks... " [with no illustrations]. Daily Alta California (San Francisco, CA), p. 3, col. 1. (Viewed 26 June 2020. F01220-23).

1868 - news mention

(30 September 1868). Correspondence; Wallingford ["Hall, Elton & Co., manufacturers of German silver spoons, forks, &c. are prospering..."]. Meriden Daily Republican, p. 2, col. 3. (Viewed 23 December 2020. F01998).

  • Offline - possible copy at Meriden Public Library.

1868 - patent - improvement in dies for cutting spoon-blanks

F. A. Rich and H. W. Bassett, assignor to Hall, Elton, and Company. (16 June 1868). Letters patent no. 79,004: Improvement in dies for cutting spoon-blanks. (Viewed 13 April 2018. AAA02234).


1870s

1870 - historical information

Davis, Charles Henry Stanley. (1870). "Hall, Elton & Co." section, building illustration and portrait of Simpson (pp. 481). In History of Wallingford, Conn. From its settlement in 1670 to the present time: Including Meriden, which was one of its parishes until 1806, and Cheshire, which was incorporated in 1780. (Also see "Manufactures section": pp. 472-495.) 1086 pp. Meriden: Published by the author. (Viewed 3 August 2017. A00793-94; A02796.)

1870 - annual report - Hall, Elton & Co. in American Institute Fair

(1871). Thirty-first annual report of the American Institute, of the City of New York, for the year 1870-71, p. 27. (Viewed 4 June 2017. A02588-89; L00847.)

  • Online - University of Toronto library.
  • Offline - (4 June 1870). The American Institute Fair for 1870— when and where it is to be held— character of the exhibition [with mention of scheduled opening and closing dates]. New York Times, p. 4. (See worldcat.org for locations.)
American Institute Fair exhibitors (1870) include "Hall, Elton & Co., 36 Park row, (award) for silver plated forks, spoons, etc. Second premium". (Excerpt from annual report.)


1870 - spotlighted news mention - Hall, Elton & Co. in American Institute Fair

(19 October 1870). Fair of the American Institute (with mention: "Hall, Elton & Co., of Wallingford, Conn., and 36 Park Row, New York, are [exhibiting] splendidly finished knives, forks and spoons, all radially arranged from a common center"]. American Artisan, pp. 242 - presumably 243. (Viewed 13 November 2018. L00835).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1871 - Hall, Elton & Co. in American Institute Fair

(1872). Thirty-second annual report of the American Institute, of the City of New York, for the year 1871-72. [Exhibitors (p. 28) in 1871 fair (7 September - 4 November 1871) include Hall, Elton & Co.] Albany: The Argus Company, Printers. (Updated 4 January 2019. A02586-87; L00845-46).

  • Online - University of Massachusetts Libraries.
  • Offline - opening date - (6 September 1871). American Institute Fair. New York Times, p. 8. (See worldcat.org for locations.)
  • Offline - closing date - (29 October 1871). The fair: Closing days. New York Times, p. 3. (See worldcat.org for locations.)

1871 - patent - design for a fork or spoon-handle

John M. Culver, assignor to Hall, Elton & Co. (11 April 1871). Design no. 4788: Design for a fork or spoon-handle. (Viewed 13 April 2018. AAA02235).

1871 - patent - design for sugar-tongs

Joel Hall, 2d, assignor to Hall, Elton & Co. (10 October 1871). Design no. 5307: Design for sugar-tongs. (Viewed 13 April 2018. AAA002236).

1874 - directory listing

(1874). Listing: "Spoon manufacturers... Hall, Elton & Co.", (p. 304). (Search directory for other possible listings.) In The Connecticut Business Directory for 1874. Briggs & Co.: Boston. (Viewed 22 December 2021. F01535; F01551).

1876 - book mention - Hall, Elton & Co. in Philadelphia exhibition

(1877). Souvenir of the Centennial exhibition [1876]: Connecticut’s representation at Philadelphia. [Core section: pp. 99-111; also see exhibits list: pp. 124-27; Exhibitors including "Hall, Elton & Co., electro-plated table ware, spoons, forks, ladles, knives, etc."; exhibition dates: 10 May - 10 November 1876]. (Viewed 3 August 2017. A00965-75.)


1877 patents

See the patents


1877 - patent - design for spoons, forks, etc.

John M. Culver, assignor to Hall, Elton & Co. (13 March 1877; 28 February 1877). Design no. 9850: Design for spoons, forks, etc. (Viewed 13 April 2018. AAA002237).

1877 - patent - design for handles of spoons and forks

John M. Culver, assignor to Hall, Elton & Co. (20 March 1877; filed 9 March 1877). Design no. 9861: Design for handles of spoons and forks. (Viewed 13 April 2018. AAA002238).

1877 - patent - improvement in dies for spoon-blanks

H. Williams Bassett, assignor to Hall, Elton & Co. (5 June 1877; filed 30 March 1877). Letters patent no. 191,639: Improvement in dies for spoon-blanks. (Viewed 13 April 2018. AAA02233).



1878 - advertisements

Hall, Elton & Co. (c. February-December 1878). Advertisements: "... Manufacturers of the Finest Electro-Plated Ware... Salesroom, 75 Chambers St., New York". The Jewelers’ Circular and Horological Review. (Viewed 19 September 2017. G00501; G00505; G00508; G00513; G00517; G00521; G00524; G00528; G00533; G00536; G00539.)


1878 patents

See the patents


1878 - patent - design for spoons

John M. Culver, assignor to Hall, Elton & Co. (8 October 1878; filed 26 September 1878). Design no. 10,859: Design for spoons. (Viewed 13 April 2018. AAA02232).

1878 - patent - design for spoons

John M. Culver, assignor to Hall, Elton & Co. (8 October 1878; filed 26 September 1878). Design no. 10,860: Design for spoons. (Viewed 13 April 2018. AAA02231).



1879 advertisements

See the ads


1879 - advertisements

Hall, Elton & Co. (c. January - May 1879). Advertisement: "... Manufacturers of the finest electro-plated ware..." [illustration of fork, Regent pattern]. The Jewelers’ Circular and Horological Review. (Viewed 30 August 2018. B00295; B00299; E00235; E00238; E00242).

1879 - advertisement

T. F. Rude, Cuba, NY. (14 February 1879). Advertisement: "Great closing out sale... my stock of silverware! ... Hall, Elton & Co. ... " [with no related product illustrations]. Cuba Patriot (Cuba, New York), p. 2, cols. 5-8. (Viewed 27 December 2020. D01633).

1879 - two advertisements

Hall, Elton & Co. (c. July - December 1879). Advertisement: "... Manufacturers of the finest electro-plated ware..." [with illustration of fork, Regent pattern]. The Jewelers’ Circular and Horological Review. (Viewed 1 September 2018. E00253; E00257).

1879 - three advertisements

Hall, Elton & Co. (c. July - December 1879). Advertisement: "... Manufacturers of the finest electro-plated ware..." [with illustration of fork, Eastlake pattern]. The Jewelers’ Circular and Horological Review. (Viewed 1 September 2018. E00264; E00268; E00270).



1879 - patent - design for spoon and fork handles

Frederick Waterhouse, assignor to Hall, Elton & Co. (11 November 1879; filed 2 October 1879). Design no. 11,508: Design for spoon and fork handles. (Viewed 13 April 2018. AAA02230).


1880s

1881 - bird’s eye view map

O. H. Bailey & Co. (1881). View of Wallingford, Connecticut. [Bird’s eye view illustration.] Boston, MA. [Illustrations include: Hall, Elton & Co. (no. 20)]. (Viewed 2 October 2020. E01637-38).

1881 - advertisement

Simpson, Hall, Miller & Co. (1881). Simpson, Hall, Miller & Co., manufacturers of the finest quality electro silver plated hollow ware: in great variety. ("Appendix no. 4, August, 1881". Also includes Wm. Rogers knives and spoons; adverts on back cover for Wm. Rogers Mfg. Co, and Hall, Elton & Co forks; and additional appendix no. 5, October 1881.) 84 pp. (Viewed 20 April 2016. A00979; C00001-21. DM.)

  • Offline - Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford, call no. F974.62 W212 si 1881.


1882 advertisements

See the ads


1882 - advertisement

Hall, Elton & Co. (5 January 1882). Advertisement: "... Electro-Plated Ware, German Silver and Britannia Spoons... Factories, Wallingford, Conn.; Salesroom, 75 Chambers Street, New York [with illustration of fork in Niagara pattern]. Independent (New York), p. 32. (Viewed 22 December 2021. E01292).

  • Search worldcat.org for locations.

1882 - advertisement

Ed A. Freeman, Boston, MA. (7 October 1882). Advertisement: "I offer for sale to careful buyers!... Hall, Elton & Co. ... " [with no illustrations]. Hartford Daily Courant, p. 2. (Viewed 16 June 2019. F00987).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations.



1882 - patent - design for a spoon or fork handle

Frederick Waterhouse, assignor to Hall, Elton & Co. (28 March 1882; filed 13 February 1882). Design no. 12,841: Design for a spoon or fork handle. (Viewed 13 April 2018. AAA02229).

1889 - advertisement

E. & H. Dilworth, Beloit, KS. (7 December 1889). Advertisement: "The largest cut in Kansas! .... Hall, Elton & Co.’s solid German silver table spoons... tea spoons... " [with no product illustrations]. Glen Elder Herald (Glen Elder, KS), p. 2. (Viewed 16 July 2021. C01401).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.


1890s

1893 - historical information

D.H. Hurd & Co. (1893). "Hall Elton & Co.", (p. 214). In Town and city atlas of the State of Connecticut. Compiled from government surveys, county records and personal investigations. Boston, MA; 223 pp. (Viewed 21 August 2017. A02973.)

"HALL, ELTON & CO. Manufacturers of Electro Plated Table Ware, German Silver, Nickel Silver and Silver Metal Spoons. Established 1837." (Excerpt from above.)


1893 - directory listing

(1893). "Hall, Elton & Co." listing. In The New England business directory and gazetteer, [p. 1546, (Silver Plated Ware Manufs.)]. (Sampson & Murdock Company: Boston, MA). (Viewed 5 May 2020. H01348-49).

1893 - news mention

(February 1893). News mention: "Since 1837, Hall & Elton’s German silver goods have been known throughout the trade as first class production..." House Furnishing Review, p. 78. (Viewed 3 October 2017. G01086.)

1893 - six advertisements

Hall, Elton & Co. (February-May; July-August 1893). Advertisements: "Hall & Elton’s German Silver..." House Furnishing Review. (Viewed 4 October 2017. G01083; G01088; G01090; G01093; G01105; G01107.)

c. 1893 - design catalogue (missing)

Hall, Elton & Co. (c. 1893). [Price list / catalogue]. Number of pages unknown. No copy in public library known. Mentioned in news mention, House Furnishing Review, p. 78. (Viewed 3 October 2017. G01086.)

1894 - six advertisements

Hall, Elton & Co. (October-December 1894). Advertisements: "Hall & Elton’s German Silver..." (illustrations of fork and spoon). Hardware. (Viewed 21 September 2017. G00547; G00558; G00566; G00573; G00580; G00583.)

1895 - historical information

Gillespie, Charles Bancroft (compiled by). (1895). "Hall, Elton & Co." [building illustration], p. 16, In Souvenir History of Wallingford, Connecticut, 1895. The Journal Publishing Company: Meriden, CT. (Viewed 17 November 2016. A00806; A02797.)

1895 - four advertisements

Hall, Elton & Co. (September-December 1895). Advertisements: "German Silver... " Hardware Dealers’ Magazine. (Viewed 30 September 2017. G00968; G00970; G00972; G00974.)

1897 - map

(1897). Wallingford, Conn. map, (p. 3 showing Hall, Elton & Co.). Sanborn Map & Publishing Co. 4 leaves. (Viewed 24 August 2017. G00026-27.)


1910s

1911 - news mention

(29 November 1911). Connecticut [with mention of Hall, Elton & Co.]. The Jewelers’ Circular, p. 94. (Viewed 7 July 2021. R01466).

"Deeds have been passed transferring from the Hall, Elton Co. to the S. L. & G. H. Rogers Co. all the property with building on the south of the present Rogers property in Wallingford, Conn. This property is to be used by the Rogers company in the further development of its plant... " (Excerpt from above.)



1930s

1936 - spotlighted article mention

Snow, William G. (17 April 1936). Meriden’s silverware industry history [with mention of Hall, Elton & Co.]. The Meriden Daily Journal [Fiftieth Anniversary issue (1886-1936)], unknown page number. (Viewed 25 November 2020. D01699).


1940s

1947 - historical information

May, Earl Chapin. (1947). "Hall, Elton & Co." mentions, (pp. 117, 130, 207). In Century of silver, 1847-1947; Connecticut Yankees and a noble metal. 388 pp. New York: E.M. McBride & Company. (Updated 17 April 2017. DM.)


1960s

1966 - encyclopedia entry

Rainwater, Dorothy T. (1966). "Hall, Elton & Co." [with mark; and mention of Maltby, Stevens & Curtiss, and Watrous Mfg. Co.], (p. 64). In American silver manufacturers: Their marks, trademarks and history. Everybodys Press: Hanover, PA. (Viewed 5 August 2020. L01882-83; L01896).

"In 1837 Deacon Almer Hall, William Elton and others formed the firm of Hall, Elton & Co. for the manufacture of German silver flatware and britannia ware. In 1890 the company was purchased by Maltby, Stevens & Curtiss which was in turn purchased by Watrous Mfg. Co. ... " (Excerpt from above.)


1966 - encyclopedia entry

Rainwater, Dorothy T. (1966). "International Silver Co." [with mention of Hall & Elton Co.], (pp. 82-3). In American silver manufacturers: Their marks, trademarks and history. Everybodys Press: Hanover, PA. (Viewed 20 August 2020. L01882-83 L01900-01).

1966 - encyclopedia entry

Rainwater, Dorothy T. (1966). "Maltby, Stevens & Curtiss Co." [with marks, and mention of Hall, Elton & Co. and Watrous Mfg. Co.], (p. 106). In American silver manufacturers: Their marks, trademarks and history. Everybodys Press: Hanover, PA. (Viewed 5 August 2020. L01882-83 L01903).

"Successor to Maltby, Stevens & Company’s spoon factory, Birmingham, Connecticut, the new company was headed by Elizur Seneca Stevens, Chapman Maltby and John Curtiss. They bought and occupied the old Hall, Elton & Co. plant and manufactured flatware for plating about 1890. In 1896 the company was purchased by the Watrous Mfg. Co. ..." (Excerpt from above.)


1966 - article mention

Rainwater, Dorothy. (November 1966). Mustache spoons [with mention of Hall, Elton & Co.]. Spinning Wheel, pp. 14-5. (Viewed 22 July 2021. R01590).


2000s

2004 - encyclopedia entry

Rainwater, Dorothy T.; Fuller, Martin; Fuller, Collette. (2004). "Hall, Elton & Co." [with mark], (p. 96). Encyclopedia of American silver manufacturers, (revised and expanded 5th ed.). Schiffer Publishing: Atglen, PA. (See excerpt above. Viewed 14 August 2017. A02921.)

2004 - encyclopedia entry

Rainwater, Dorothy T.; Fuller, Martin; Fuller, Collette. (2004). "International Silver Company" [with mention of Hall & Elton Co.], (pp. 116-20). Encyclopedia of American silver manufacturers, (revised and expanded 5th ed.). Schiffer Publishing: Atglen, PA. (Viewed 12 August 2020. A02925a-c(-)27a-c).

2004 - encyclopedia entry

Rainwater, Dorothy T.; Fuller, Martin; Fuller, Collette. (2004). "Maltby, Stevens & Curtiss Co." [with marks, with mention of Hall, Elton & Co. and Watrous Mfg. Co.], (p. 145). Encyclopedia of American silver manufacturers, (revised and expanded 5th ed.). Schiffer Publishing: Atglen, PA. (Viewed 6 August 2020. L01931-32).


n. d.

n. d. - map

(Undated). Hall, Elton & Company’s Works - fire insurance map. (Viewed 3 August 2017. A02437.)

  • Offline - Warshaw Collection of Business Americana, c. 1724-1977, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian, Washington, DC, Box 2, Folder 2, no. 5302.



Click the following link to see designs and documentation for other historical 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".