Middletown Silver Co. - designs in collections, at auction, design catalogues and historical information

ADC staff
artdesigncafé - design | Design Meriden | 17 October 2018 | Updated 9 December 2021
Middletown Silver Co. teapot


Above, design patent illustrations of teapot by Elwood N. Cornell for Middletown Silver Co. (1930), design patent no. 80,257. For the design at auction and the patent, see the listings below.


Shortly after the Middletown Plate Company was acquired by the International Silver Company in 1899, ISC moved production to their Wilcox Silver Plate Co. factory in nearby Meriden. Apparently, some of the former Middletown Plate Co. management and employees were let go. What quickly emerged was their forming the Middletown Silver Company, and their design became recognized for innovation and, for example, their Cubism-inspired wares designed by Elwood N. Cornell are prized today.



A. Middletown Silver Company - designs in collections (by year)


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


1900s

c. 1899-1945 - ice bucket holder

Middletown Silver Co. (c. 1899-1945). Ice bucket holder. Silver plate. (Accession no. 124063. Viewed 17 October 2018. J00206).


1910s

1911 - trophy

Middletown Silver Co. (1911). Trophy. Accession no. 975.01.670. Viewed 25 September 2020. J00772).

1912 - trophy

Middletown Silver Co. (1912). Trophy. (Accession no. 990.357.01. Viewed 16 October 2020. J00854).

1913 - trophy

Middletown Silver Co. (1913). Trophy. (Accession no. 2010.22.11. Updated 11 September 2020. J00559; J00723).

1914 - trophy

Middletown Silver Co. (1914). Trophy. (Accession no. 975.01.648. Updated 11 September 2020. J00558; J00724).

1919 - trophy

Middletown Silver Co. (1919). Trophy. (Cat. no. 1988-1148-001. Viewed 18 October 2018. J00215-16).


1920s

1928 - Cornell-designed Modernistic coffee service

Elwood N. Cornell (designer) for Middletown Silver Company. (1928). "Modernistic Coffee Service". (Object no. 2013.202. Viewed 9 December 2021. J01479).

designed 1928 - Cornell-designed sugar bowl and creamer

Elwood N. Cornell (designer) for Middletown Silver Company. (designed 1928). Sugar bowl and creamer. Silver-plated nickel silver. (Viewed 17 October 2018. AAA03001-02; AAA03023).

designed 1928 - water pitcher

Elwood N. Cornell for Middletown Silver Company. (designed 1928). Water pitcher. Electrical plated nickel silver. (Accession no. 2014.1288. Viewed 17 October 2018. J00205).


1940s

c. 1945 - two chalices and two communion plates

Middletown Silver Company. (c. 1945). Two chalices and two communion plates. Silver. [Cat. nos. 2015.30.2(-.5)]. Viewed 18 October 2018. J00207-14).


n. d.

n. d. - ice bucket holder

Middletown Silver Co. (undated). Ice bucket holder. (Accession no. 124063. Viewed 21 February 2021. J01140).

n. d. - pitcher

Middletown Silver Company. (undated). Footed pitcher. (Accession no. 2017.023.001. Viewed 25 October 2018. B01205-06).

  • Offline - Middlesex County Historical Society, Middletown, CT.

n. d. - candlestick holder

Middletown Silver Company. (undated). Candlestick holder. (Accession no. 2017.023.002. Viewed 25 October 2018. B01205-06).

  • Offline - Middlesex County Historical Society, Middletown, CT.

n. d. - candlestick holder

Middletown Silver Company. (undated). Candlestick holder. (Viewed 25 October 2018. B01205-06).

  • Offline - Middlesex County Historical Society, Middletown, CT.


B. Middletown Silver Company - designs at leading auction houses


1920s

1928 - four-piece coffee service

Elwood N. Cornell for Middletown Silver Company. (1928). Four-piece "Modernistic" coffee service (coffee pot, creamer, covered sugar and tray). Silver-plated nickel server. (Viewed 18 October 2018. D00303).


C. Middletown Silver Company - design catalogues and historical information (by year)


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


1899

Various newspapers, magazines and other sources

(c. 1899-). Various newspapers, magazines and other sources - search engines. (26 April 2020. C01265; C01285).

Various newspapers based in Middletown, CT

(c. 1899-). Various newspapers: Middletown Tribune, Middletown Sun, Middletown Times, Penny Press, Evening Press, and Middletown Press. (Viewed 2 June 2018.)

1899 - news mention

(22 May 1899). Sold to the silverware trust [with mention of Middletown Plate Company and International Silver Co.] The Evening Post (New York), p. 3, col. 2. (Viewed 17 October 2018. B01110).

1899 - article

(17 June 1899). To close its plant (with mentions of the Middletown Plate Co. and Wilcox Silver Plate Co. [/ International Silver Co.]) New York Tribune, p. 6, cols. 1-2. (Viewed 13 October 2018. B01006-07).

"The International Silver Company, which recently purchased the plant and business of the Middletown Plate Company, to-day issued orders to the officials of the Middletown concern to close the factory on June 20. The business of the local factory will be transferred to Meriden, where it will be carried on at the plant of the Wilcox Silver Plate Company, a member of the combination. The Middletown [Silver] Plate Company employed about two hundred and fifty hands, its payroll involving about $100,000 annually." (Excerpt from above.)


1899 - article

(15 September 1899). On the co-operative plan; former employes of Middletown Plate Company organize company. Journal Courier (New Haven, CT), p. 1, col 7. (Viewed 13 October 2018. B01006).

"A number of the former employes of the Middletown Plate company that were thrown out of employment when the company joined the trust and the business was removed to Meriden, have organized a joint stock company, which they will conduct on the co-operative plan and will engage in the manufacture of silver plated ware. The Stiles factory has been rented and the necessary machinery will be secured without dlay [sic]. Most of the men interested are skilled workmen. The company has elected the following officers: President, Charles Savage; vice president, Eldridge Ferree; secretary and treasurer, Wingate C. Howard; manager, William Martin." (Excerpt from above.)


1899 - article

(15 September 1899). To fight the trust; the Middletown Silver Company organized [two-paragraph article]. Hartford Courant, p. 3. (Viewed 19 October 2018. D00311).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

"All the stockholders were employees of the Middletown Plate Company prior to its being bought by the trust... At first only small goods will be made, but by another season it is expected to have a full line of silver plated ware on the market... " (Excerpt from above.)



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".


1900s

1900 - news mention

(13 August 1900). Middletown; Silver Company will remain in the city— notes. Hartford Courant, p. 11. (Viewed 19 October 2018. D00310).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

"A conference has been held by the trade committee of the board of trade and the officers of the Middletown Silver Company and an agreement has been reached whereby the Silver Company will remain in this city ..." (Full excerpt from above.)


1904 - classified advertisement

(31 January 1904). Classified advertisement: "By a well-known manfacturer of silver-plated hollow ware, a representative on commission for this territory... The Middletown Silver Co., Middletown, Conn." San Francisco Examiner, p. 19. (Viewed 29 January 2021. C01423).

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

1905 - news mention

(25 October 1905). Western Department; Chicago notes [with mention of Middletown Silver Co.]. The Jewelers’ Circular, p. 70 (Viewed 7 July 2021. R01463).

"... Theodore H. Purple represents... the Middletown Silver Co. ... " (Excerpt from above.)


1908 - advertisement

Siegel Cooper Co., New York. (17 May 1908). Advertisement: "A sale of Silverware... Quadruple Silver Plated Table Ware— Made by the Middletown Silver Co. ..." New York Herald, fifth section, presumably p. 1. (Viewed 18 October 2018. B01128).

1909 - news mention

(18 August 1909). Connecticut [with mention: "The factory of the Middletown Silver Co. has been closed for several weeks..."] The Jewelers’ Circular— Weekly, p. 75. (Viewed 17 October 2018. B01119-20).


1910s

1913 - news mention

(23 January 1913). Words of praise for Middletown; Mass meeting in theater full of enthusiasm (Dean Samuel Hart recalls the storied past). Hartford Courant, p. 2. (Viewed 19 October 2018. D00313).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

"... The Middletown Silver Company is located in the old home and is striving to follow the old Middletown Plate Company in manufacturing a high grade of silver plated ware. This industry is bound to grow, as quality and design is what the trade is seeking." (Excerpt from above.)


1918 - company listing

(1918). Manufacturers and their products... Middletown ... "Middletown Silver Co. ... Silver plated ware ..." In State of Connecticut Public Document No. 33; Sixth Biennial Report of the Factory Inspection Department to the Governor for the Two Years ending September 30, 1918, (p. 106). State of Connecticut: Hartford. (Viewed 1 October 2020. E01622-27).

1919 - news mention

(12 May 1919). Leases show demand for space in Central District [with mention of Middletown Silver Company leasing space in Acker, Merrall Building, southwest corner of Fifth Avenue and 35th Street.] New York Tribune, p. 21, col. 5. (Viewed 20 October 2018. B01171).


1920s

1921 or before - booklet (missing)

Middletown Silver Company. (1921 or before). [Booklet]. Number of pages unknown. No copy known to be in a public library. (Viewed 18 October 2018. B01123).


1921 advertisements

See the ads


1921 - advertisement

Wanamaker’s, Philadelphia, PA. (5 December 1921). Advertisement: "... ’Who is your silver by?’ is a question often asked... Middletown Silver Company... " [with no illustrations]. Philadelphia Inquirer, p. 13, col. 5. (Viewed 17 October 2020. F01523).

1921 - advertisement

Middletown Silver Co. (December 1921). Advertisement: Middletown Silver Co. ... Largest Producers of Pyrex-Lined Silverware in the World..." [with illustration of serving tray]. American Cookery, p. 177. (Viewed 18 October 2018. B01123).



1922 or before - design catalogue (missing)

Middletown Silver Co. (1922 or before). [Illustrated catalogue]. Number of pages unknown. No copy known to be in a public library. (Viewed 17 October 2018. B01121).


1922 advertisements

See the ads


1922 - advertisement

Middletown Silver Co. (January 1922). Advertisement: Middletown Silver Co. ... Largest Producers of Pyrex-Lined Silverware in the World..." [with illustration of serving tray]. American Cookery, p. 465. (Viewed 18 October 2018. B01124).

1922 - advertisement

Middletown Silver Co. (July 1922). Advertisement: "Middletown Silverware, Beauty and utility without extravagance... " [with illustration of tureen]. Good Housekeeping, p. 105. (Viewed 17 October 2018. B01121).

1922 - advertisement

Middletown Silver Co. (August 1922). Advertisement: "Middletown Silverware, An attractive novelty in a square casserole... [with illustration of presumably covered, square casserole dish.] Good Housekeeping, p. 98. (Viewed 18 October 2018. B01122).

1922 - advertisement

Middletown Silver Co. (September 1922). Advertisement: "Middletown Silverware, Hot biscuits can be served attractively in the original Pyrex baker... " [with illustration of tray]. Good Housekeeping, p. 151. (Viewed 18 October 2018. B01123).

1922 - advertisement

Middletown Silver Co. (October 1922). Advertisement: "Middletown Silverware, ’Whitfield Pattern’... " [with illustration of covered casserole dish]. Good Housekeeping, p. 175. (Viewed 18 October 2018. B01125).

1922 - advertisement

Middletown Silver Co. (November 1922). Advertisement: "Middletown Silverware, A compote in the Georgian Pattern... " [with illustration of compote]. Good Housekeeping, p. 179. (Viewed 18 October 2018. B01126).

1922 - advertisement

Middletown Silver Co. (December 1922). Advertisement: "Middletown Silverware, A Cake Plate... [with illustration of cake plate]. Good Housekeeping, p. 174. (Viewed 18 October 2018. B01127).



1924 - two advertisements

Middletown Silver Co. (September 1924). Advertisements: "New attractive novelties to stimulate gift buying... " [with illustrations of flower centerpiece, relish dish, and ice tub]. Jewelers’ Circular. (Viewed 20 May 2020. H01609; H01611).

c. 1924 - design catalogue

Middletown Silver Co. (c. 1924). [Catalogue]. Number of pages unknown. (Viewed 20 May 2020. H01609).

1925 - advertisement

Barr & Willis, Huntington, NY. (26 February 1925). Advertisement: "Unusual value; Quadruple plate silver... pie baker... your choice of four designs... Made by the famous Middletown Silver people ... " [presumably Middletown Silver Co.; with abstract illustration of pie server]. The Long-Islander (Huntington, New York), p. 2, cols. 6-7. (Viewed 16 June 2020. D01477).

  • Online - fultonhistory.com. (Search the archive, "Huntington NY Long Lslander 1925 Oct-Jan 1927 Grayscale - 0337", and scroll down for the link.)

1926 - news mention

(3 November 1926). Cup donated by Silver Co. for parade [with mention of the Middletown Silver Company]. Hartford Courant, p. 26. (Viewed 19 October 2018. D00309).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

"The Middletown Silver Company donated a silver cup for the winner of the float contest in the Armistice Day parade ... " (Excerpt from above.)



1926 advertisements

See the ads


1926 - advertisement

American Jewelry Co., Bakersfield, CA. (12 March 1926). Advertisement: "... Casserole... quadruple plated silver on heavy nick[el] silver base frame... Middletown Silver Co. ... " [with illustration of casserole dish]. Bakersfield Morning Echo (Bakersfield, California), p. 6, cols. 6-7. (31 January 2021. C01424).

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

1926 - advertisement

H. J. Kuechler & Son, Stockton, CA. (14 March 1926). Advertisement: "... Casserole... quadruple plated silver on heavy nickel silver base frame... Middletown Silver Co. ... " [with illustration of casserole dish]. Stockton Daily Independent (Stockton, California), p. 2, cols. 5-6. (Viewed 31 January 2021. C01425).

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

1926 - advertisement

Diener, The Jeweler, Harrisburg, PA. (26 March 1926). Advertisement: "... Casserole... quadruple plated silver on heavy nickel silver base frame... Middletown Silver Co. ... " [with illustration of casserole dish]. The Evening News (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania), p. 9, cols. 1-2. (Viewed 31 January 2021. C01426).

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

1926 - advertisement

John E. Bong, Jeweler, presumably Corning, NY. (26 March 1926). Advertisement: "... Unusual Value; Quadruple Plate Silver... Pie Baker; genuine Pyrex Lining... Your choice of Four Designs... Made by the famous Middletown Silver people... " [with illustration of pie serving plate]. Evening Leader (Corning, New York), presumably p. 10, cols. 5-6. (Viewed 17 October 2020. F015 ).

  • Online - fultonhistory.com. (Search the archive, "Corning NY Evening Leader 1926 Jun-Oct 1926 Grayscale - 0324", and scroll down for the link.)

1926 - advertisement

Sam’s, Galveston, TX. (8 May 1926). Advertisement: "... Casserole... quadruple plated silver on heavy nick[el] silver base frame... Middletown Silver Co. ... " [with illustration of casserole dish]. Galveston Daily News (Galveston, TX), p. 5, cols. 5-6. (Viewed 31 January 2021. C01427).

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

1926 - advertisement

C. M. Wilson, presumably Salem, OH. (12 May 1926). Advertisement: "... Casserole... quadruple plated silver on heavy nickel silver base frame... Middletown Silver Co. ... " [with illustration of casserole dish]. The Salem News (Salem, Ohio), p. 4, cols. 6-7. (Viewed 31 January 2021. C01428).

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

1926 - advertisement

Sulzbacher’s, presumably Florence, SC. (12 May 1926). Advertisement: "... Casserole... quadruple plated silver on heavy nick[el] silver base frame... Middletown Silver Co. ... " [with illustration of casserole dish]. Florence Morning News (Florence, South Carolina), p. 6, cols. 4-5. (Viewed 31 January 2021. C01429).

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

1926 - advertisement

Skeie’s Jewelry Store, Eugene, OR. (13 May 1926). Advertisement: "... Casserole... quadruple plated silver on heavy nick[el] silver base frame... Middletown Silver Co. ... " [with illustration of casserole dish]. The Eugene Guard (Eugene, Oregon), second section, p. 3, cols. 1-2. (Viewed 31 January 2021. C01430).



1928 patents

See the patents


1928 - patent - design for a spoon or similar article

Elwood N. Cornell, assignor to Middletown Silver Company. (10 April 1928; filed 25 January 1928). Design patent no. 74,863; serial no. 25,023: Design for a spoon or similar article. (Viewed 17 October 2018. AAA03383.)

1928 - patent - design for a pot or similar article

Elwood N. Cornell, assignor to Middletown Silver Company. (26 June 1928; filed 17 March 1928). Design patent no. 75,614; serial no. 25,895: Design for a pot or similar article. (Viewed 17 October 2018. AAA03384).

1928 - patent - design for a pot or similar article

Elwood N. Cornell, assignor to Middletown Silver Company. (26 June 1928; filed 17 March 1928). Design patent no. 75,615; serial no. 25,896: Design for a pot or similar article. (Viewed 17 October 2018. AAA03385).


1930s

1930 - article

(26 August 1930). Interesting Connecticut industry [focus on Middletown Silver Co. with six paragraphs]. Hartford Courant, p. 19. (Viewed 18 October 2018. D00306).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

"For the last 30 odd years this industry has been concentrated in the plant of the Middletown Silver Company on Hubbard Street where some 25 years ago was produced one of the earliest lines of reasonably priced electro-plated nickel silver hollowware— the principal product of the company today, although the recent increase in the public appreciation of pewter has increased their production of this ware to almost the output of their plate and sterling." (Excerpt from above.)


1930 - patent - design for a pot or similar article

Elwood N. Cornell, assignor to Middletown Silver Company. (7 January 1930; filed 24 January 1928). Design patent no. 80,257; serial no. 25,007: Design for a pot or similar article. (Viewed 17 October 2018. AAA03386).

1931 - article

Magnell, A. E. (14 November 1931). Middletown Silver has large output. Hartford Courant, p. 3. (Viewed 19 October 2018. D00308).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

"... Production is now running about 50 per cent silverware and 50 per cent pewter ware... There are approximately 1000 various pieces in the Cornwall pewter lines of the company... " (Excerpt from above.)


1932 - advertisement

Louis Jeweler, presumably Auburn, New York. (1 April 1932). Advertisement: "... Finest Product of Middletown Silver Co. ..." The Citizen Advertiser (Auburn, NY), p. 5, cols. 4-5. (Viewed 18 October 2018. B01130).

  • Online - fultonhistory.com. (Search the archive, "Newspaper Auburn NY Citizen Advertiser 1932 - 2788", and scroll down for the link.)

1932 - advertisement

Parmalee-Dohrmann Co., Los Angeles. (10 April 1932). Advertisement: "Middletown Silver Co. ... Silver Plated Ware" [with no specified illustrations]. Los Angeles Times, p. B2. (Viewed 9 December 2018. D00460).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1937 - classified advertisement

(13 August 1937). Classified advertisement: "Silver Hollowware sandbuffers wanted— The Middletown Silver Company, Middletown, Conn." Syracuse Journal, p. 27. (Viewed 18 October 2018. B01131).

1937 - patent - design for a covered dish or similar article

Minn S. Cornell, Jr., assignor to Middletown Silver Company. (9 November 1937; filed 13 July 1937). Design patent no. 106,858; serial no. 70,384: Design for a covered dish or similar article. (Viewed 17 October 2018. AAA03387).

1937 - patent - design for a covered dish or similar article

Minn S. Cornell, Jr., assignor to Middletown Silver Company. (9 November 1937; filed 13 July 1937). Design patent no. 106,859; serial no. 70,385: Design for a covered dish or similar article. (Viewed 17 October 2018. AAA03388).

1937 - patent - design for a covered dish or similar article

Minn S. Cornell, Jr., assignor to Middletown Silver Company. (9 November 1937; filed 13 July 1937). Design patent no. 106,860; serial no. 70,386: Design for a covered dish or similar article. (Viewed 17 October 2018. AAA03389).

1938 - patent - design for a combined gravy boat and tray

Minn S. Cornell, Jr., assignor to Middletown Silver Company. (11 January 1938; filed 13 July 1937). Design patent no. 107,854; serial no. 70,387: Design for a combined gravy boat and tray. (Viewed 17 October 2018. AAA03390).


1940s

1945 - news mention

(28 January 1945). Middletown industries fight war (with mention: "... Post-war plans for the [newly incorporated J. A. Otterbein Company] include the manufacture of silverware, the company being the owner of patterns, trademarks, etc., of the Middletown Silver Company which has been known in the silverware trade for many years...") Hartford Courant, p. D4. (Viewed 21 October 2018. D00334).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.


1950s

1957 - news mention

(2 April 1957). Middletown: Silver Co. buildings are sold [with mention: "... The buildings for many years were occupied by the Middletown Silver Company... " Hartford Courant, p. 8A. (Viewed 19 October 2018. D00307).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.


1960s

1966 - encyclopedia entry

Rainwater, Dorothy T. (1966). "Middletown Silver Co." [with marks; "Listed in J C-R in 1909-1922 as manufacturers of plated silverware. Last record found was 1936"], (p. 117). In American silver manufacturers: Their marks, trademarks and history. Everybodys Press: Hanover, PA. (Viewed 6 August 2020. L01882-83; L01908).


1990s

1990 - article

Cramer, Diana (July / August 1990). Middletown Silverplate Co Advertisements. Silver magazine. (Viewed 17 October 2018. G00204.)


2000s

2004 - encyclopedia entry

Rainwater, Dorothy T.; Fuller, Martin; Fuller, Collette. (2004). "Middletown Silver Plate Co." [with marks], (p. 162). Encyclopedia of American silver manufacturers, (revised and expanded 5th ed.). Schiffer Publishing: Atglen, PA. (Viewed 18 October 2018. D00301-02.)


2010s

c. 2011 - design page in book - sugar bowl and creamer

Gordon, John Stuart (c. 2011). "Elwood N. Cornell, designer; Middletown Silver Company; Sugar bowl and creamer" (designed 1928). In Gordon’s A Modern world: American design from the Yale University Art Gallery 1920-1950, (p. 74; designer biography statement, p. 406). Yale University Art Gallery in association with Yale University Press. (Viewed 17 October 2018. AAA03001-02; AAA03023).

2014 - book mention

Knowles, Eric. (2014). Art Deco [with mention of Middletown Silver Company]. Shire Publications. Approx. 136 pp. (Viewed 18 October 2018. D00304).

" [Magnussen design for Gorham] ... The Middletown Silver Company— amongst others— responded with their own Skyscraper tea service."