Snippets of Information Regarding the Gorham Company

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The bronze memorial tablet unveiled at Barrington, R. I., last Saturday in. commemoration of the town's representatives with the colors was cast at the Gorham Mfg. Co.'s foundry in this city and is by Louis L. Leach, sculptor, of Taunton, Mass.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 13th July 1921

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The Gorham Mfg. Co., Providence, R. 1., will build a one-story addition, 122x144 feet.

Source: The Brass World and Platers Guide - March 1916

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Genuine "Horsey" Jewelry and Silver

Year after year New York's aristocracy have patronized the Horse Show until the event has become a marked feature of the social season, and not to be seen at Madison Square Garden during the meet of the blooded horses is to abjure society. Naturally this show of fine stock has tended to bring out fashions in dress and equipage which shall brand the wearer as " horsey" without being sporty. The hunting crop laid by for a year is carefully dusted and carried instead of a cane. Top boots and riding gaiters are affected, and each visitor strives to rival his neighbor in the attempt to appear as if just from the stable or paddock.

In past years, however, little has been done by jewelers in recognition of this rapidly growing interest in '' horsey " matters A cigarette case now and then was seen with some ornamentation suggestive of the hunt or race track, or perhaps an imported match box or scarf pin would give its possessor the much coveted equine air. But to the Gorham Mfg. Co. belongs the credit of introducing a distinctively "horsey " line of trinkets which has created almost as great sensation in society as the thoroughbreds themselves.

For months expert silversmiths and the cleverest of designers have been quietly at work upon these novelties and the clubman or his fair companion now has a wonderful collection from which to choose a souvenir. And not only has fancy been given a loose rein in the way of odd conceits, but most remarkable of all, the details are as carefully carried out as if the delicate little ornaments were intended for models of actual trappings. The work is all applied so that each pattern shown in relief is really a miniature of the original. Again where leather is used in these goods, pigskin (used so extensively in harness and saddlery manufacture) is substituted for the more common leathers.

Silver stirrups, spurs, boot pulls, whip handles, flasks, etc., are among the more practical examples of the new departure, and some of them are elaborately decorated. A lorgnette having for a handle a tiny coach whip makes a very chic addition to the young society woman's jewelry case; also a watch, the case of which is decorated with a fanciful design showing bits, stirrup, straps or one of the many smaller bits of harness.

Cigarette or cigar cases in many instances have an enameled picture of hurdle jumping or the likeness of some world famous thoroughbred, whose curving neck and clean cut flank are so true to life that it seemingly needs only the crack of a coach whip to send him off at a gallop. On a stamp box is the representation of a saddle, not a fanciful design intended to fit the box, but an absolutely perfect bas-relief of an English racing saddle.
Dashboard clocks, corkscrews, scarf pins, brooches and a bewildering assortment of miscellaneous trinkets make up one of the most fascinating displays ever put on the counter of a house which is noted the world over for its beautiful ideas in metal work.

The Horse Show will go the way of its predecessors, a grand success, too soon forgotten in the whirl of a giddy Winter; but the " horsey" silverware of the Gorham Mfg. Co. has made such an impression that it is bound to become a staple line in the market.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 21st November 1894

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The famous silver statue of Columbus, cast and owned by the Gorham Mfg. Co., which was on exhibition at the World's Fair and which has been on exhibition at the Providence City Hall for several weeks, was taken down the past week, and shipped to San Francisco to the Mid-Winter Exposition, where it will remain some weeks.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 31st January 1894

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The elegant casino erected by president Edward Holbrook for the convenience of the employes at the works of the Gorham Mfg. Co., at Elmwood, is almost entirely completed, very little of the interior finishing still remaining to be done. The grounds have all been laid out and seeded down and the walks concreted. The interior is being most thoroughly equipped and furnished with considerable elegance. The floors have been waxed, and president Holbrook's room is now receiving the attention of the workmen. The arrangements for the dedication of the building will be left until a consultation with Mr. Holbrook, who is expected to arrive soon.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 7th June 1899

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Trans-Atlantic Voyagers

To Europe

W. C. Codman, of the Gorham Mfg. Co., Providence, R. I., and H. Van Wezel, New York, sailed Saturday on the 'Lucania'.

J. H. Buck, of the Gorham Mfg. Co., New York, sails to-day on the 'Britannic'.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 7th June 1899

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An indictment charging grand larceny in the second degree was filed on Monday of last week against Henderson Smothers, a porter employed by the Gorham Co., 386 Fifth Ave. The following day Smothers was arraigned before Judge Rosalsky in Part I of the Court of General Sessions and after pleading not guilty was released in $1,500 bail. It is charged in the indictment that on Sept. 25 he stole five cigarette cases, each valued at $35, from the Gorham concern.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 6th December 1922

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All Rhode-Islanders feel justly proud of the Gorham Manufacturing Company, which ranks at the head and front of all silverware manufacturers of the world, not only in value of output, but also in the superior quality of the ware, and in having the most magnificent establishment erected for this industry. Silverware for table service is now very extensively used; and likewise plated ware of high grades, the tastes of the better class of people having risen beyond the early Britannia ware and the later inferior plated wares. This is not confined by any means to table service, but millinery ornaments, jewelry, vessels for ecclesiastical use, household ornaments, trimmings for furniture, and countless other small articles are now being made of silver. Providence is famous for its number of large jewelers, silversmiths and silverware manufacturers; but the Gorham Manufacturing Company has added fame from all the cultured countries, its wares being works of the most exquisite fine art. This company was organized in 1865, and now has a capital stock of $1,200,000. They have recently moved into their new factory at Elmwood, a suburb of Providence. This is one of the finest factories of any kind in this country. The plant covers 226,031 square feet. Apart from the large main building of light brick is the foundry and the woodworking building. The main building is arranged so that the parts turning out germane works shall be near. The bullion and melting room is placed between the general manufacturing and the preparatory rooms. At these works 1,200 hands are employed. The Gorham Manufacturing Company has branches at Chicago, San Francisco and Paris. In New-York City there are two warehouses, at Broadway and Nineteenth Street and 9 Maiden Lane, where can be seen a display of solid silver and high-grade silver-plated ware that stands unrivalled in Europe or America.

Source: King's Handbook of the United States - Moses Foster Sweetser - 1892

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Henry Bischoff, who for 25 years has been employed in the box department at the Gorham Mfg. Co.'s works, now represents Fulford & Hobart, manufacturers of jewelers' findings. Edgar Craddock. who formerly represented this firm here, now represents the same firm in New York and Philadelphia.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 25th October 1899

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The recent announcement by the Gorham Manufacturing Company of Providence, R.I., who own the Smith patent for plaster of Paris molding. that prosecution will follow its use, has caused much stir in the line casting trades. Up to recently. the process was used indiscriminately: but the announcement has caused various means to be tried to obviate the use of asbestos in connection with plaster of Paris, the claim of the patent. There is no patent on the use of plaster of Paris itself for molding but the claim is upon the use of asbestos in connection with it.

The original patent in which the use of plaster of Paris and asbestos is claimed is United States Patent No. 512845 and dated January 16th. 1894. The patent was granted to Eugene C. Smith of Providence. R.I., and is now owned by the Gorham Company. It will be seen, therefore, that the patent does not expire until 1911.

In the specification, three claims are made:

I. A mold to receive metal castings consisting of a mixture of asbestos fibre, or pulp, with plaster of Paris.
2. A mold to receive metal castings consisting of a mixture of non-melting fibres and plaster. substantially as described.
3. The method of making molds herein described consisting in mixing asbestos fibres or pulp with water to the desired consistency, mixing plaster with water, then adding said mixtures together and thoroughly mixing them forming said mixture into the desired shape of the mold and then baking the mold.

Various attempts have been made to use other materials in connection with the plaster of Paris and among the recent substitutes are coal-ashes and slag wool. From what we have seen and information that we have obtained, we believe they are successful.

Source: The Brass World and Platers Guide - May 1906

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THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT OF THE GORHAM Mfg. Co.'s WORKS

Providence, R.I., Aug. 12 - The vacancy caused by the death of Charles Henry Baker, superintendent of the Gorham Mfg. Co.'s works, at Elmwood, has been filled by the appointment of Fred C. Lawton. Mr. Lawton is but 33 years old, having been born in this city in 1866. By reason of his years of experience and excellent personal qualifications, however, he is well suited to fill this position of trust and responsibility.



Mr. Lawton went from the Providence High School to the employ of the Gorham Mfg. Co. 18 years ago. He entered first the bullion department, being afterwards transferred to several positions in the office of the company. He manifested such aptitude for his chosen vocation that in little more than a year he was promoted to be assistant of Mr. Baker, who was then at the head of the pricing department. He continued in this position until Mr. Baker was appointed assistant superintendent of the works, when he was placed in charge of the pricing department, where he remained until Mr. Baker's death. Eight years ago Mr. Baker succeeded the late George Wilkinson as superintendent, and since that time Mr. Lawton has been practically assistant superintendent. Mr. Lawton's appointment was conferred at a meeting of the directors of the Gorham Mfg. Co. Thursday and announced to 1,100 or more employes on the day following. The appointment takes effect from Aug. 1. Some confusion has arisen from the fact that the surname of the new superintendent is the same as that of the secretary and assistant treasurer, J. F. P. Lawton. Although this is the case, they are in no way related.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 16th August 1899

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The Gorham Mfg. Co. of Providence R.I. is to increase its plant by the addition of a new building to be used for casting by the "cire-perdue" or waste-wax process. This department has been established to meet the demand for high-grade art castings and workman have been obtained from France to produce the necessary results. The extension which will be used for this department will 204 x 90 feet. By the use of this process nothing is lost in the design but every detail is reproduced.

Source: The Brass World and Platers Guide - May 1906

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A notable casting was made recently at the foundry of the Gorham Manufacturing Company. A statue of Phillip Brooks, a prominent Episcopal bishop of New England, was cast in bronze in seven and one-half minutes from the time of starting to pour until the metal was in the mold. The metal was melted in two No. 94 Monarch Simplex metal melting furnaces without crucibles installed by the Monarch Engineering & Manufacturing Company, Baltimore, Md. The operation of melting and pouring this metal, which consisted of 4,850 pounds, was carried out under the direction of M. W. Woodburn, the expert of the Monarch company. The metal was charged in the furnaces at 12:10 p.m., and was ready for pouring at 3:45, a period of 3 hours and 35 minutes, which constitutes a record for the rapid melting of art bronze. A number of church dignitaries, including the Bishop of Rhode Island, were present at the pouring of the casting, and it is said that the handling and pouring of such a large body of molten metal in such a rapid and efficient manner was in the nature of a revelation.

Source: The Metal Industry - May 1917

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The Gorham Manufacturing Company's New Building

In our issue of last month we made a brief allusion to the new building of the Gorham Manufacturing Company, at Nineteenth street and Broadway. At that time the Company was not fully settled in its new quarters; carpenters, cabinet-makers, painters, plumbers and other workmen were in the building at work, and it was impossible to obtain a realizing sense of the elegance of the interior, or even of the building itself. Now that the Company is fully settled in one of the finest structures in the country occupied by the jewelry trade, their establishment is entitled to more than a brief notice, as it affords another illustration of the energy and enterprise that characterize this company.

The building, which is of brick with terra-cotta trimmings, is built in the old Dutch style of architecture. It stands very high and has a frontage of 55 feet on Broadway and 120 feet on Nineteenth Street. Seen from Union Square, with its oddly-shaped tower of clay, casting long shadows on the buildings beneath, the scene is highly suggestive of the streets of old Antwerp. There are eight stories in the building, three of which are devoted to the business of the Gorham Company alone. The basement has been utilized principally as a stock room. Here duplicates of every piece of silver and plate shown in the two immense warerooms overhead are constantly kept on hand. Departments for polishing, charging, packing and shipping goods are also located in the basement.

The floor above is devoted exclusively to the exposition of goods sold at retail. The principal entrance is from Broadway. It consists of a most commodious and unusually high vestibule, with an oddly designed floor of tiling, flanked on either side by an immense show window. The doors, which consist of highly polished solid mahogany and heavy bevelled French plate glass, are especially noticeable for their design. This consists of a large center plate set around with small squares. On entering, three long lines of showcases meet the eye. On the right, there extend the whole length of the building the wall cases. These sparkle with their valuable contents of crystal and silverware. Only Gorham plate is here exposed. Two rows of cases run the entire length of the room down its center; at each end a rounded case abuts these longitudinally arranged, and the effect is that of two immense crystal horse-shoes, placed foot to foot. On the left, six alcove cases, standing eight feet high, are arranged for the display of sterling silver. The wood-work about the room and of the appointments is all alike, and is of solid, highly polished mahogany. Nine immense iron pillars finished in bronze lend additional attraction and security to the room. Around these pillars there have been arranged numerous incandescent burners of oddly designed patterns and their rays glint among the highly polished contents of the cases. The show windows are not deep, but are uniform in their fronts with the other windows of the building and are highly ornate at the back in railings of twisted brass and bronze.

On the second floor are situated the wholesale show rooms and offices. Large upright standard cases extend the full length of the room down the center, while alcove cases, between which are arranged show tables, desks and chairs, line the sides and front. An elevator and broad staircase of iron and marble render the ascent more easy. Altogether there is not a more elegantly appointed house in the city.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - July 1884

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The Gorham Manufacturing Co.'s New Building

Among the elegant business structures recently erected in New York, few are more striking in appearance or attract more general commendation than the one built by the Gorham Manufacturing Company, at the corner of Broadway and Nineteenth street. The style of architecture is closely allied to the Queen Anne —in fact, it may be called Queen Anne with modern modifications, and from its peculiar architecture and the prominent position it occupies, is one of the most conspicuous buildings on Broadway. The main front is, of course, on Broadway, but the most conspicuous part is the Nineteenth street side where the full depth of the building is exposed. It is built of brick with elegant terra cotta trimmings and ornamentation, with numerous turrets and gables rising from the roof, diversifying and adding beauty to its general appearance. It is nine stories high with basement and sub-cellar. The Gorham Company occupy the first and second floors and all the space below the surface of the street. The retail department is located on the first floor, opening directly upon New York's greatest and most fashionable thoroughfare. On stepping inside one is impressed with the spaciousness of the store, with its high ceiling, large windows and abundance of light. The ceiling is elegantly decorated, while all the wood work is of highly polished cherry. The large array of show cases—each in itself a good sized glass enclosed exhibition room—are of mahogany and heavy plate glass, having balanced sashes that give easy access to their interiors. In this room and these cases is exhibited the abundant stock of elegant silverware that the Gorham Company keep constantly on hand for their trade. Here can be found everything desired in the silver line, the stock embracing all the latest designs in rich goods, some of severely plain patterns and others elaborate in their ornamentation. At the rear of the store an elevator and a broad and inviting staircase leads to the wholesale rooms on the floor above. These are also finished in mahogany, and the immense show cases are of the same material and heavy plate glass. The private offices of the members of the firm are at the rear of the stores and are both elegant and convenient. In the basement the packing and shipping departments are located, and every convenience is provided for the rapid filling of orders. The planning of the building and the supervision of its construction have mainly fallen to Mr. Edw. H. Kendall, architect of the Field Building, No. 1 Broadway, and many other fine structures, who has shown excellent taste and rare good judgment in providing the best facilities for displaying the products of the Gorham Manufacturing Company and for transacting its immense business. The elegant and artistic show cases were made by B. & W. B. Smith, of this city, the well known manufacturers of this class of work. The elegance of the building and the magnificence of the goods displayed form one of the most attractive sights along Broadway. One of the features of this establishment is the introduction of the Edison system of electric lighting, the plant having a capacity of 288 lamps, and this has already been tested and found to work admirably.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - June 1884

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The Death of George Wilkinson

Providence, R. L, Dec. 23. — George Wilkinson, who has been for many years general designer and superintendent of the Gorham Mfg. Co., died at the works, in Elmwood, at about 10 o'clock this morning. Mr. Wilkinson came to the office, as usual, this morning, in apparent good health. As he entered his office he became suddenly weak and sank into a chair. Medical assistance was summoned, but he gradually grew worse and passed away quietly in the presence of his wife, the president and vice-president and several other officers of the company. Mr. Wilkinson was stricken with paralysis some months ago, which weakened him considerably. His death this morning was due to a second stroke.



George Wilkinson was born in Birmingham, England, April 13. 1819, the son of George Wilkinson. His early life was devoted to the acquirement of the rudiments of an education, and then, as he began to approach the threshold of young manhood, he was apprenticed to learn the trade of silversmithing. After finishing the necessary term of probation, he continued to work at his trade in Birmingham, until discovered by the Ames Co., of Chicopee, Mass., who, in 1854, brought him to America. The Chicopee firm, as is well-known, were among the pioneers in the business of manufacturing silverware. Mr. Wilkinson remained but a short time with the Ames Co., leaving to engage in business on his own account as an art die cutter and designer. In 1857 he decided to cast his lot with the Gorham Co., then a rising concern, and he remained till January, 1860, when he went with J. R. Went to New York, and became a member of the firm of Rogers, Went & Wilkinson, who to become the makers of silverware for Ball, Black & Co., then the rivals of Tiffany & Co..

The co-partnership was not of long duration, for in August it was dissolved, and Mr. Wilkinson returned to the Gorham Co. in this city, Here he has ever since remained. He soon acquired an interest in the concern, and when the company were at length organised, Jan.1, 1865, under articles of incorporation granted two years earlier, Mr. Wilkinson was elected a director. By successive election he was retained in that position until his final retirement about a year ago.

Mr. Wilkinson's especial value to the Gorham Co. was as general superintendent, a position he assumed on the death of Henry E. Lathrop in 1870, and the marvelous success of this company was in a great measure due to the cultivated taste and artistic skill of Mr. Wilkinson. He was an enthusiast in art, not alone as a reader who endeavored to familiarize himself with the elements that constituted the various schools, or as a collector who strove to gather about him as many works or examples as possible for illustration, but in the practical application of the canons of the various schools in the development of industrial art upon a truly artistic basis. He was not one of those whose favorite occupation was the use of the pencil, for in the work of drawing he did not excel. But when it came to applying the principles of art to the silver or the bronze or whatever was in hand, his true artistic genius declared itself. He knew immediately to what department or school any design or part of a design belonged, and nothing caused him more discomfort than to see the incongruous mingling of two schools that by no sort of artistic reasoning could be harmonized.

It is said that during the prevalence of the craze for Japanese designs a few years ago Mr. Wilkinson was almost constantly shocked by the flagrant violations of the rules that were to be found upon every hand. He was an ardent student of nature, and from that grandest of all schools he drew inexhaustibly. And his reward lies in the fact that he was not only acknowledged as the artistic power in the greatest of all American art metal industries, but it has been said of him and doubtless with a considerable degree of truth, that he became to the metal industry of the United States during the period of its most rapid development what Josiah Wedgwood was to the pottery industry of England during its rise, about a century earlier.

There was method in everything that he did too. Knowing the effect upon himself, he rightly judged that, surrounded by works of art, breathing an atmosphere of art, his assistants would partake of the proper enthusiasm, that which animated him; that from seeing they would come to discussing, and from that to putting into practical use. And the result was quickly apparent. In the furtherance of these plans he gathered at the Gorham works one of the finest art collections extant, which is a power in educating every one who comes in contact with it. No one was a more interesting talker upon art subjects, and none enjoyed the society of the artist more. His interviews with Buchanan Read, when that great artist was visiting here, are remembered by many, especially by those who were so fortunately situated as to be able to engage, in a manner, in the conversation. Each enjoyed the society of the other as true artists would be expected to do.

Mr. Wilkinson was married in 1847 in Birmingham, and his family numbered 13. Of these ten survive, with his wife. His ailment had existed for a longer period than is definitely known. Like most cases of the disease which resulted in his death, Bright's disease, the trouble was not at first detected. Indeed, no serious trouble was looked for until last Winter, when he was visiting in Florida. Then the first warning came in a mild attack of facial paralysis. From that time there was a steady decline, with occasional fitful rallies until the end.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 2nd January 1895

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The death is announced of John J.C. Smith, inventor, at Passaic, N.J.. Mr. Smith was the inventor of the metal mixing process used by the United States Mint, and of the compression casting used by the Gorham Mfg. Co.. His other inventions include numerous steam appliances and a new way of treating insulated wire.

Source: The Brass World and Platers Guide - July 1914

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A large garage is to be erected on Earle St., on the grounds of the Gorham Mfg. Co., for the Gorham Garage Co. It will be one story high, 37 by 104 feet, with 12 compartments.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 14th November 1917

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The Gorham Mfg. Co. has commenced the establishment of an extensive new manufacturing plant in an isolated locality on the east bank of the Seekonk River, in the village of Phillipsdale, in the northern part of the town of East Providence. It will be used exclusively for the manufacture, handling, loading and storage of munitions for the United States Government and the Entente powers. The new plant will consist, at the start, of 15 buildings with an aggregate floor space of 66,756 square feet. These buildings will each be one story high, of frame construction and will include two receiving buildings, each 36 by 48 feet; one receiving storehouse, 54 by 70 feet; two assembling buildings, each 50 by 150 feet; leading building, 64 by 180 feet: two women's buildings, each 50 by 150 feet; a loading building, 64 by 180 feet; two women toilet buildings, one 36 by 50 feet and the other 25 by 40 feet; two men's toilet buildings, each 30 by 30 feet; a guard building, 16 by 20 feet, and an office building. 39 by 40 feet.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 14th November 1917

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Gorham Mfg. Co. has awarded a contract for a brick, 1-story, 65 x122-foot factory building and a 1-story addition to its foundry to replace those recently destroyed by fire.

Source: The Iron Trade Review - 21st September 1916

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