An important New England Silver Estate Sale

In 1880 Mr. Watson Wilcox caught a record breaking three pound trout that was memorialized in a watercolor by M. Dickenson.

In a vintage shoebox tied neatly with string is a box of pristine daguerreotypes of the Wilcox Family. Including several of Watson and his Brother Dennis.

Tucked in faded burgundy velvet drawstring bag and in the back of a drawer, in the china cabinet and in a box in the attic is a small collection of Rogers Sterling! If anyone knows Rogers Brothers they are Aware it most often is silver plate. In the 19th century they developed a method of deep silver overlay that made silver plate affordable. 

In an antique box covered in faded purple pansies hinged in brass are the gold antique pocket watches of the Wilcox Family. 

In a long wood box are the hat pins that the women in the photos most likely used to secure their velvet bonnets more than a century ago. Whimsical and lethal sterling hat pins.

Through out cubbies and drawers neatly stored we found Meriden silver, Wilcox Sterling, International Silver, and Coin Silver representing the silversmiths of C Brewer and Co, C Parker, J H Martin, O D Seymour Pure Coin has been identified and there is more.

So what is the connection of Meriden Connecticut, The Wilcox Family, And Roger Brothers?

"The Rogers brothers had met with success their activity, but were hampered by lack of capital and qualified organization to market their product.

In 1852 six or seven small Britannia ware plants in the town of Meriden were organized by Horace C. and Dennis C. Wilcox into the Meriden Britannia Co supplying Britannia, Albata and German silver ware, both plated and unplated, to many other firms.

An agreement was reached whereby the genius and skill of the Rogers were joined with the initiative and business ability of the Meriden concern, and the latter began the production of goods that were later to be described in the catalogue of the Meriden Britannia Co., in the year 1867, as supplying "all the advantages of silver in durability and beauty at one-fifth the cost". https://www.silvercollection.it/meridenbritanniaco.html#google_vignette

A copy of the letter taped behind the painting introduces the Wilcox Brothers, the daguerreotypes put a face to the fisherman and the family. The collection of coin silver to Rogers sterling to Meriden silverplate to  International Silver is an informative collection of New England Silver spanning two centuries. 

It's a rare catch to discover a piece of American History by connecting the dots. Even more fun is after talking with a descendent she told me that the when the Wilcox Mansion was torn down that a whole room was moved to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. Coincidentally last year I had the opportunity to visit the MET and spent time viewing the Wilcox Room. 

A collection of Victorian doll furniture as well as miniatures. 

An antique hand-painted toleware collection. 

Victorian to present books. Signed first editions. 

Sports books. Some signed. Including The Harlem Globe Trotters and Coach Saperstein.

Outdoor furniture. Lightweight and Durable. Six piece vintage wicker collection. 

Pair of Federal Style turn of the century cherry cannon ball four poster beds with surround brass rod for dust ruffles.

The first day of the sell the pieces will be sold as a collection. For American History buffs, New England silver enthusiasts, horologists, fine antique lovers, an early Staffordshire and Wedgewood plate collectors, bibliophiles, Harlem Globe Trotters coach Abe Saperstein, and anyone who loves a good fish story we hope to see you Friday. 

Sometimes what appears to be a small sale blossoms. Why be just a made in China plate when you can be an 18th Century made for export Chinese charger. Minton Rococo outshines any HomeGoods decor! Fit in a thimble hand painted bone egg unscrews to reveal a baby bird. Victorian doll house furniture with marble tops. Broad rimmed 18th and 19th Staffordshire and Wedgewood plates that I found once upon a time in fragments on archaeological digs. The mantle clock older than time, with its care and tuneups preserved in letters. When I was a child my Great Granny Alice was in her nineties so I never really thought of the 19th century as that far back. Now a quarter into the 21st century I have a new appreciation for the artistry and craftsmanship of American Primitives, Empire, Victorian, Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts to the industrial production. They have proven their durability and have withstood the test of time.