American Silver Co. - Bristol - Connecticut

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AMERICAN SILVER CO.

Bristol, Connecticut

Some detail of the above company that was published in 1904:

Electroplated Silverware

American Silver Co., Bristol, Conn., are offering the trade a line of sterling and electroplated silverware, are few samples of which are illustrated.



The company state they are the only manufacturers of plated ware who include in the process the manufacture of the base metal. Their plated ware is claimed to carry at least fifty per cent, more silver than the regular standard plate goods. Their line of Cutlery is made from the steel bar, so that they are not dependent on the manufacturers of cutlery blanks for their requirements. The entire process receives personal and critical attention. The company guarantee all that is claimed in their literature. All the "World Brand" Plated Cutlery and Flatware is hand burnished. The company are putting on the market a grade of Plated ware, which is said to be not only the equal of some other brands, but absolutely the highest grade that is obtainable, and it has no equal this side of the Atlantic. An important part of making this line of goods is the silver deposit, the character of the deposit and the finish of the plated article. With an experience of over fifty years in the manufacture of alloys, and over forty years in the manufacture of Silverware, the company select with special care the component metals of the base used in their goods, amalgamate, cast into bars, roll and prepare with a view to obtaining the highest possible efficiency for plating purposes. Under the "World Brand" the concern make the "Berlin," "Oregon," "Tours" and "Laurence" patterns.

Source: Hardware Dealers' Magazine - Volume 22 - 1904


American Silver Co. - Bristol, Conn. - 1904

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American Silver Co. - Bristol, Conn. - 1906

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American Silver Co. - Bristol, Conn. - 1903


American Silver Co. - Bristol, Conn. - 1903


American Silver Co. - Bristol, Conn. - 1903


American Silver Co. - Bristol, Conn. - 1903

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American Silver Co. - Bristol, Conn. - 1902

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THE AMERICAN SILVER CO., INC., manufacturer of silverware, Bristol, Conn., traces its history back to 1857, at which time the concern known as the Holmes & Tuttle Mfg. Co., Bristol, Conn., maker of silver plated flatware was taken over by the Bristol Brass Co., and from 1857 until 1900 it was operated as the silverware department of the Bristol Brass Co.

In 1900 the Bristol Brass Co. incorporated the silver department under Connecticut State laws as the American Silver Co. The Bristol Brass Co. owned the entire stock of the American Silver Co. until 1913, when the distribution of the stock was made to the stockholders of the company. Since 1900 the company has extended its line very considerably.

The home office is still located in Bristol, with offices in New York, Chicago and San Francisco. The present officers of the organization are A. F. Rockwell, president; Dean Welch, vice-president; Alexander Harper, treasurer; S. B. Harper, secretary and assistant treasurer. This concern manufactures fine table cutlery and high grade silver-plated flatware and nickle silver flatware. The New York office was opened in 1901 and the office in Chicago in 1902 and in San Francisco in 1910.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - Volume 78 - 5th February 1919.

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American Silver Co. - Bristol, Conn. - 1902

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American Silver Co. - Bristol, Conn. - 1905

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Alex. Harper, a well known Bristol. Conn., man, and representative of the American Silver Co. in the southwest, recently met with an accident in Arkansas which affected the sight of one of his eyes. The treatment given by an oculist in that town was unavailing, and Mr. Harper subsequently went to Little Rock, where he is now under the care of a specialist.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 17th September 1902

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SILVER FACTORY PLANS DENIED

Rumor That American Silver Co. Would Locate in This City Contradicted

A report is current in this city that the American Silver company of Bristol employing over 100 hands is desirlous of locating in Meriden. Quite a number of local silver workers are employed at the Bristol factory and a number of them report that the officers of the concern have been contemplating a change of location for some time and looked with favor upon Meriden because so many silver workers can be procured here and the railroad connections are much more convenient than in the present locality.

J.R. Holly, vice president and general manager of the plant was asked to confirm or deny the rumor Thursday evening by a reporter and he said: "There is no truth whatsoever in that report. We have never thought of making a change and our present location is satisfactory in every way. I can deny positively that we have any such plans in view."

The American Silver company manufacturers hollow ware and it is a busy plant the year round though it is closed this week for the annual vacation.

Source: Meriden Weekly Republican - 15th July 1909

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American Silver Co. Organized in Bristol

The International Silver company has another competitor in the American Silver company which was organized Thursday in Bristol.

This concern is the outgrowth of the German silver department of the Bristol Brass and Clock company. It is organized under the laws of Connecticut, with a capital stock of $200,000.

One or two Meriden men have made engagements with the new company. It is the purpose, it is said, to manufacture a full line of German silver ware articles. Not only is it a competitor of the International company, but also of the C. Rogers Bros. of this city.

The principal stockholders in the new corporation are J. Hart Welch, president of the Bristol Brass and Clock company, and J.R. Hawley, treasurer of the same company.

Source: Meriden Weekly Republican - 4th April 1901

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Funeral of Mrs. Morgan

The funeral of Mrs. Cora Bell Morgan was held yesterday afternoon, after the arrival of the 1.14 train. The remains were brought here for interment from Bristol. Mrs. Morgan was a daughter of Daniel Smith of East Haddam. She became the wife of Charles C. Morgan of Bristol, superintendent of the American Silver Co. of that place. The floral tributes were numerous and handsome. The services were conducted by Rev. William Knappenberger, pastor of the Congregational church.

Source: The Day - 1st August 1912

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A force of men were engaged the past week in tearing down the old frame factory of the American Silver Co., on Main St.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 20th July 1921


The American Silver Co., Bristol, Conn., has declared its regular quarterly dividend of two per cent, making four per cent paid thus far this year.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 20th July 1921

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The construction work on the new five story factory building of the American Silver Co., Bristol, Conn., is progressing rapidly. It is planned to have the machinery and other equipment installed within a few weeks.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 7th January 1920

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Albert F. Rockwell was re-elected president of the Bristol Brass Company and the American Silver Company, Bristol, Conn., at the annual meetings of the two companies, February 29. All the former directors and officers were also re-elected.

Source: The Metal Industry - April 1916

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Mrs. Julia A. Merriman, mother of George Macy Merriman, with the American Silver Co., Bristol, Conn., died last week Thursday, following an illness of pneumonia.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 26th January 1921

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The American Silver Company, of Bristol, Conn. who heretofore have confirmed their operations to plated goods, will shortly commence the manufacture of of sterling silver flat and hollow ware.

Source: The Metal Industry - January 1904

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The American Silver Company - Bristol, Conn. - 1921

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The American Silver Company, Bristol, Conn., has increased its capital stock from $250,000 to $400,000.

Source: The Metal Industry - April 1913

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The American Silver Company - Bristol, Conn. - 1905

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American Silver Company

When one first glances at the report of the American Silver Company for 1917, he is led to believe that the company has had an unusually successful year. He is led to say that the American Silver Company like many of the other large corporations has prospered in the past year and is able to give Uncle Sam a good sized sum for his war chest. But a closer examination of the statement and comparing it with that of 1916 contradicts the first conclusion and one finds that the company suffered from the effects of the United States entrance into the war. Not only did the company decrease its surplus, but it also increased its accounts and bills payable. This is the first indication of the dire effect which the war is having on the non-essential Connecticut industries. Hitherto statements which have appeared in these colums have all showed how the companies prospered through heavy war contracts for various appliances which the United States and the allies will use to kill Germans. But this report showing the losses is all the more interesting.

The American Silver Company specializes in the manufacture of table silver, table cutlery and electroplated flatware, and such articles are now termed non-essentials not only by the Government but even by the public. A well known silver man on his return from Washington recently said that the outlook for the industry during the war period was dark and little profit could be expected. Not only is the Government going to make it hard for manufacturers of those products to get materials, but also it is going to be difficult to get cars for shipments. Then too the American people are not as keen to buy silverware as they were before the war times. With the country calling upon them to buy Liberty Bonds, and War Thrift Stamps, they will not be in the position to buy all the extra set of silver this year. Especially is this true when one sees men and women making their clothes last over another season and planning to make food and other necessities go to the limit. That is the prospect which the silver industry faces as long as the war continues. Many companies have been fortunate enough to secure Government contracts, and those who have been so fortunate are enabled to continue their industries at the usual speed. The American Silver Company did not secure Government contracts.

The American Silver Company stock was given in two special dividends by the Bristol Brass Company to its stockholders, when the latter company assumed control of the corporation several years ago. In this way $200,000 of the stock was given to stockholders In 1914 and the other $200,000 two years later. The American Silver Company was under obligation to the Bristol Brass Company and the latter organization accepted the stock in payment of debts. Practically is this true of the second block of silver company stock distributed as a dividend. The American Silver Company stock is closely held and is traded in very rarely on the local market so that the adverse report had no effect on the market. It is now quoted at 27 bid, and 32 asked. The company is capitalized for $400,000 at $25 par, and pays dividends of 8 per cent, yielding 6 per cent.

In examining the report closely one finds that the cash is increased and accounts receivable are increased from $163,762 to $186,609, which looks very good. The inventories show a slight increase from $306,794 to $319,122, largely due to the increasing cost of materials. Valuation of the plant jumped only a little over $2,000. But the accounts payable jumped from $1,655 in 1916 to $65,033. Many are wondering why the accounts payable was increased to such an extent, when the valuation of the plant was only increased a little over $2,000 and the cash and notes receivable was only slightly advanced. An explanation of these figures is interesting and according to many there can be only one, and that is a poor business year in 1917. Then too, with those increases there is a decrease of $28,000 in the surplus. Why was the plant only increased $2,000, and the accounts and notes payable advanced $64,000 if the factory was improved. But was the factory increased? There were at least no large alterations which would call for any great expenditure. That would be the only thing to contradict the report that 1917 was not a good year. But even that cannot be proved. So that the statement can only suggest one opinion and that is that the silver industry particularly the American Silver Company did not fare very well during 1917.

The total of the net quick assets is $426,798 this year against $451,175 in 1916. Thus the net quick asset value of a share is only $26 in comparison with $28.19 in 1916. Those are the best evidences that the company's year was not as good as those formerly.

Source: United States Investor - 23rd March 1918

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