Date & Info. on Quadruple Plate Bread Tray, & Lerne

[Stoystown]

Hi,

I am looking for information on “Lerner Ware” the maker of this bread tray. The trademark for Lerner Ware is on the underside of the tray. Also on the underside at a different location are the words, QUADRUPLE with the word PLATE underneath. Is the maker in the United States (US) or Europe? I have read here that “Quadruple Plate” was rarely used after 1912 in the US, but it would help dating the bread tray to know what the country of origin is. How long, if this tray was made in Europe, did Quadruple Plate appear on the European produced quadruple plate silver wares?

The tray is 14 inches long at the top; 7 ¼ inches wide; when the handle is up the total height is 5 ¾ inches. The depth of the tray is 1 1/4 inches.

On the two flat panels on each end of the tray below the pivot point of the handle are engraved with a Greek Urn with flowers, leafy plants and vines growing from them. The two urns also have four pierced shapes that serve to further enhance the surface of the Greek Urns.

On the handle are more metal piercings outlined with scroll work. One set of 4 piercings has an engraved flower head stylized in the center of them. Does anyone recognize the style of engravings, metal piercings or the shape of the bread plate?

The Trademark symbol is hand etched along with the words Lerner Ware. The letters in the words Trade Mark as well as the letters in the words Quadruple Plate are incised with individual letter dies.

Does the hand engraving of the trade mark and use of individual dies for the rest of the wording on the underside of the tray indicate that this bread plate is a custom piece or perhaps a low volume shop?





http://i36.tinypic.com/2e1gbit.jpg

http://i38.tinypic.com/ehkoyo.jpg

(admin photo edit - images too large - link only - see Posting Requirements )

Any information and time will be appreciated.

Regards,

Jeff

[2209patrick]

Hello and welcome.

Have only seen the term "Quadruple Plate" on U.S. and Canadian silverplate. This term was seldom used after 1912 in the U.S.

Can't help on the manufacturer who used this mark. Have a hunch we're missing a letter before what appears to be an L.

Pat.

[Stoystown]

Hi,

Thank you for the response and welcome. I am glad to have found this silver site. The information concerning quadruple plate as it pertains to Europe and Canada is good to know. I would disagree about the additional letter before the first word Lerner. The top line of the trade mark is centered on the words Trade Mark. This was seemingly achieved by changing the size of the letters in Ware to a larger case. Not as apparent is the graduating of the letters in the name Lerner. This would have been done with expertise. Also the appearance would reflect on the maker if it looked lopsided and since the trade mark was an additional form of advertising, it would have been well worth the time it would have taken to perfect how the engraving looked as well as taking care in the engraving of this trademark.

Can any inference be made because the trade mark and other words are done by hand? Such as age of the bread plate or that the silversmith would have been exclusive or perhaps just small? How common would hand engraving of a trade mark have been including the time it would have taken to individually punch the letters in quadruple plate?

I am beginning to believe that this bread plate was commissioned or ordered by a fine retailer, such as a jeweler, for sell in his shop. So the name Lerner is not a silversmith but the name of an owner of a shop, and he could have sold a range of silver table settings or complete sets this way and called the silver plated, or solid silver table settings that he had ordered/made “Lerner Ware”. Would this have been a common practice in the 1800’s? Not only for the shop owner to have another specialty line of recognizable goods to sell, but also for the silversmith/maker to have another sells outlet for his product?

Regards,
Jeff

[2209patrick]

It was not unusual for retailers to put their trademark on silverplated items.

As early as the mid 1860's wholesalers and retailers who operated their own plating shops would purchase wares from large manufacturers like Reed & Barton and plate them themselves.

Pat.

[kensawade]

I also have a piece of "Lerner Ware" (no missing letters). It appears to be a holder or carrier for a casserole dish, oval in shape, 5.5 inches wide, 7.5 inches long, with handles at each end and claw feet. It is silver in color but the lack of tarnish makes me think it may be chrome plated.

I have no idea on age - it has been in my family since i can remember, so it is at least 50 years old.

[THEGENERAL]

Jeff

I have a piece of LERNER WARE. It appears to be a 'sliver' server. It has handles and appears as though one would put a bowl or plate inside. It is very lovely. I also have a Victoria - EP Copper silver 'server'? which is similar to the LERNER WARE only more fancy. They are decorative and both are used I belive to sit food (bowl/plate) inside for a more decorative table setting, which you might see in a hotel? The other silver piece is a round plate LERNER WARE. Would you have any idea of the time frame they were made in? ES Copper is the other company. I have other pieces, but have not cleaned them yet so I can see the trade marks. Any information you could provide would be appreciated. I purchased them about 10 years ago at a yard sale.

[dognose]

Hi,

Welcome to the Forum.

You are far more likely to get a responce by starting a new thread with images of your item. Only one item per topic.

How to Add Images

Posting Requirements

http://www.tinypic.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; is recommended.

Trev.