Information Regarding the Oneida Community

[dognose]

ONEIDA COMMUNITY


A topic for recording information regarding the Oneida Community Ltd.



Oneida Community Ltd. - Oneida, N.Y. - 1919


If you have any details of the above company, advertisements, examples of their markings, etc., anything that you are willing to share, then here's the place to post it.

See: http://www.925-1000.com/silverplate_O.html

Trev.

[dognose]

ONEIDA TRAPS AND CHAINS

Away back about the middle of the last century there happened to be a rude blacksmith's forge situated on the land of the Oneida Community. When Sewall Newhouse, a born trapper and hunter, laboriously hammered out his steel traps at this forge it is doubtful if he ever dreamed of the important manufactures that were destined to spring from these humble beginnings.

The Newhouse traps are now known the world over, but at that time they had no reputation back of them. They had only their merit to commend them. It was noticed that they had a relentless grip. The first demand naturally came from the immediate neighborhood. The Indians and the farmers’ boys used to come and beg or barter for these traps when they could not afford to buy them. Abundance of wild and dangerous game rendered the traps a protective necessity, aside from considerations of sport or trade. They soon found their way into the stores, and additional forges had to be made to keep up with the demand. Mr. Newhouse taught the young men of the Community how to make traps, so that he soon had a corps of efficient assistants. Large orders from important customers began to come in. The famous Hudson Bay Company used quantities of the traps in connection with its great fur trade. It was necessary to adopt machinery; the business had outgrown the limitations of manual labor. With the addition of machinery they were able to make seven sizes by the thousand dozen, and shipped them to all the frontiers of America. The addition of more machinery from time to time, as occasion required, was simply a matter of detail. It is interesting to note that a large part of the machinery used by the Oneida Community, Ltd., has been invented on the spot by their own men. They solved the mechanical difficulties as they arose one by one. They evolved machinery not only for making traps but for turning out other lines of hardware. Still, the trap department remains one of their most important industries, and these traps are now sold by the million and are favorably known to trappers the world over. One of the original hand made traps was recently found in an out of the way spot, where it had lain for many years. It was as good as ever.

The success which attended the making of traps soon led the Community to enter into other avenues of trade. The first of these was the packing of fruits and vegetables which were raised in their own fertile gardens. This also has developed into a great industry, giving employment to large numbers of people. Mention must also be made of the important manufactures of sewing and embroidery silks. One of the original members of the Community was a humble peddler of embroidery silk. From this beginning a wholesale jobbing business in silk was developed, and finally the manufacture of silk was undertaken. This, too, has become a thoroughly established and substantial industry. To a layman this factory is specially fascinating, so dainty and attractive are its products and processes. But to the readers of this journal the silverware factory and the hardware factory will, doubtless. possess the most practical interest.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the Oneida Community, Ltd., operates four distinct factories, each dealing with a separate branch of manufacture. Of these the silverware factory is the only one not located within the Community's territory at Oneida. This factory occupies an advantageous site at Niagara Falls. When the manufacture of silver-plated ware was begun in 1877, a grant of water-power was obtained at a merely nominal price; and this was a determining factor in selecting the location. The factory has a capacity of about 80,000 pieces a day, and is kept running at about the same pressure all the year round. Among all its varied products there is probably none in which the Community takes greater pride than in its manufacture of “Community Silver,” which is so widely and effectively advertised and so well and favorably known alike to the dealer and the consumer.

The manufacture of steel chains by the Community was an outgrowth of the early necessity for providing chains for its animal traps. These chains were made for many years by welding wire links at forges by hand, and these welded links were replaced later by those known as “Safety” links, which are now made in three different styles and are adapted to nearly all the uses to which chains can be applied. The most popular of these is the American flat link chain, which was introduced by the Community twenty years ago. This is a favorite with the hardware trade of the United States and Canada, besides being exported largely to Europe. The two other styles are made of wire and are known as the “Niagara” and "Eureka." The special attachments to these chains, such as steel snaps, swivels and other devices, are unique in their line and of distinguished efficiency. The steel chains made by the Oneida Community are worn by the cattle on the plains of Texas and in the stalls of Canada, as well as by the dogs and horses throughout the North and West. They form a part of the mechanism of the great labor-saving agricultural implements, and are in use on nearly every one of the leading railroads of America.

The factories are picturesquely situated in the beautiful Oneida Valley, where also is located the historic Community Home. They are all model factories of their kind. The buildings are substantial and attractive, and the grounds about them are brightened by skillful gardening. The Community erects model dwellings for its operatives who have families to maintain; and life in the settlement possesses many attractions for those who live there the year round. Relations between the employers and employees are notably pleasant and harmonious. Readers are probably aware that the sociological phase of Oneida Community life has ceased to exist, as the organization has become a great modern business corporation, and is conducted strictly as such.

With branch offices in various parts of the United States and a large force of salesmen the Oneida Community is one of America’s most energetic and successful manufacturing concerns.

Source: American Exporter - August 1907

Trev.

[dognose]

The Oneida Community - Oneida, N.Y. - 1903

Trev.

[dognose]

The Oneida Community was established in 1848 at Oneida, N. Y., and has developed into a large industrial enterprise. When first started, the Community began the manufacture of animal traps, to which was later added silver plated table ware. These two products have been the chief output, and last year a business of about $11,000,000 was done in these lines. Silverware was first made in 1877, but it has been under the trade name of Community plate, which was first used in 1901, that this product became nationally known. We understand that the plants at Oneida and Sherrill, N.Y.; Lititz, Pa., and Niagara Falls, Ont., which comprise a floor space of 250,000 square feet, are kept operating at capacity to fill orders.

The Community has proved to be a sound business enterprise, and one which has amply justified the increased capital which is now going into the business, through an offering of $2,000,000 of 7 per cent preferred stock. Its business has grown steadily over a period of years. Net sales advanced from $2,809,701 in 1910 to $6,329,069 in 1917, and to $10,707,256 in 1919. The statement of condition as of January 31 shows total assets of $7,311,550, of which $4,683,650 are quick assets, in the form of materials, receivables and cash. The company had current liabilities of $2,424,020, leaving net tangible assets of $4,887,530 to apply against $300,000 of preferred stock and $2,238,550 of common then outstanding. In other words, there was more than double the par of the common stock in assets after providing for the preferred. Adding the receipts from the sale of new preferred stock, and applying the assets against the increased capital there are approximately $82 of net tangible assets for each share of preferred (par $25) outstanding. Incidentally, the participating feature of the new preferred entitles the shares to an additional 1 per cent this year, making the rate 8 per cent. The 1919 earnings of the Community were $851,673, or more than 6 times the preferred dividend requirement.

Source: United States Investor - 10th April 1920

Trev.

[dognose]

Oneida Community, Limited - Oneida, N.Y. - 1903

Trev.

[dognose]

The Oneida Community, Ltd., manufacturers of Community Plate, Reliance Plate and Par Plate, are furnishing a large assortment of dealers' aids in connection with their newspaper advertising campaign. Window displays, counter cards, newspaper electros, circulars and latern slides are all furnished free for the asking.

The circulars, which illustrate the various patterns of Oneida Community silverware, will be imprinted with the name and address of the dealer when requested.

The window displays and counter cards are of striking and artistic design, coming up fully to the high standard of art observed in all of Community's advertising efforts.

Any or all of this material will be furnished the dealer postpaid upon receipt of his request mailed to Oneida Community, Ltd , Oneida, N. Y.

Source: The American Cutler - May 1920

Trev.

[dognose]

Oneida Community - Kenwood, N.Y. - 1902

Trev.

[dognose]

ONEIDA COMMUNITY, Oneida, N. Y., and 395 Broadway, New York, have recently issued one of the handsomest catalogues which has ever come to our attention, bound in green with a highly artistic device on the front cover, embossed in silver, bearing the words “Community Silver." The catalogue in itself is a magnificent specimen Of the bookmakers’ art, and measures over 16 by 9 inches, containing about 50 page plates, illustrating in natural size the various styles of Flatware manufactured by this company, including Avalon, Flower-de-Luce, Classic, Windsor, Tipped, Fiddle and Plain Patterns, price lists accompanying the same. There are included in the contents several reproductions of handsome box sets in mahogany and quartered oak, as well as special sets. The half-tones are of the finest quality, bringing out in a striking way the soft tones and brilliancy of the silver, as well as the beauty of the several patterns. A large view of the home of the Community at Oneida is given and of the factory at Niagara Falls. The catalogue will be preserved as a valuable addition to the catalogue literature of the Hardware merchant.

Source: Hardware - 10th March 1907

Trev.

[dognose]

Oneida Community, Limited - Niagara Falls, Ont. - 1922

TUDOR PLATE

MARQUIS - BARONET

Trev.

[dognose]

Source: The Printing Art Suggestion Book - September 1914

Trev.

[dognose]

The year 1950 sees the dropping of the 'Tudor Plate' marking on Oneida's hollowware, and replaced by the 'O' 'C' 'L' marking:


Oneida Community Ltd. - Oneida, N.Y. - 1950


Oneida Community Ltd. - Oneida, N.Y. - 1950

Trev.

[dognose]

Milwaukee retail jewelers in large numbers visited the display of the Oneida Community Ltd., at the Hotel Wisconsin, Monday and Tuesday of last week. The Oneida Co. exhibited merchandising ideas for retail jewelers on how to display silverware in the retail store. Tables of miniature window displays with rich backgrounds presented a number of good ideas on how to group pieces of silverware and how to advertise the product. Discussions on how to make attractive displays of jewelry and general talks on special interest to the retail jeweler were given by the six company representatives in charge of the exhibit. Milwaukee jewelers displayed the keenest interest in the display and the attendance was unusually large, Rodney Allen, Oneida representative of Chicago, declared.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 4th October 1922

Trev.

[dognose]

Oneida Community, Limited - Oneida, N.Y. - 1917

Primrose pattern - Par Plate

Trev.

[dognose]

Oneida Community, Limited - Oneida, N.Y. - 1944

Milady pattern

Trev.

[dognose]

An image of the display of Oneida Community Ltd. at the American National Retail Jewelers' Association convention held at the Lafayette Hotel, Buffalo, N.Y. on the 13th-16th September 1921:



Trev.

[dognose]

INTERNATIONAL SILVER Co. V ONEIDA COMMUNITY Ltd.

SILVERSMITHS IN BATTLE OVER TRADE MARK

Albany. April 26. (AP) Two leading makers of silver table-ware, each claiming the right to mark its knives, forks, spoons and other implements of the trencherman with the talisman "Rogers 1847" today laid a dispute over those claims before a Federal Court.

Yesterday counsel for the companies, the International Silver Company and the Oneida Communities, argued over the need for a suit. District Judge Frank Cooper ruled against the Oneida concern which asked that the International's charge of copyright infringement be dismissed. Today evidence was introduced to show that the International in acquiring all the Rogers companies that grew from a concern established in 1847 obtained the exclusive right to the marking.

Oneida traces its right to the use of the trade emblem to the purchase of the William A. Rogers, Ltd. a Canadian concern. This transaction, the International counters, was a fraud.

The Rogers brothers established the silver-ware business in 1847 in Connecticut. There were three of them. Their relatives started several silver plate companies. Also, about 1847, John Humphrey Noyes, New England religious zealot, was impelled to the first definite steps toward founding the cult which brought Oneida Community into existence. On the foundation of the communal enterprise which Noyes initiated with the manufacture of steel animal traps, rose Oneida Community Ltd. Pierpoint B. Noyes of Utica is its president.

Source: Schenectady Gazette - 26th April 1932

Trev.

[dognose]

Oneida Community, Ltd. - Oneida, N.Y. - 1906

Trev.

[dognose]

A unique and attractive method of packing and displaying silverware for the holiday trade has recently been put out by the Oneida Community, Ltd., Oneida, N. Y. The Community company's new creation is a nine piece set, each piece packed in a beautiful grey gift box which can be displayed in either the window or the showcase with an attractive advertising placard which is furnished free. The gift boxes are included in the set without additional cost.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 28th August 1918

Trev.

[dognose]

Oneida Community - Kenwood, N.Y. - 1902

Trev.

[dognose]

The Oneida Community Limited, Sherrill, New York, announces that it will distribute among its employees on or about February 10, $270,000. Every employee in Sherrill, N.Y., Kenwood, Lititz, Pa., and Niagara Falls, Canada will share in the distribution.

Source: The Metal Industry - February 1917

Trev.