Sharing Our Keeps

These pewter/silver plate pieces were gifted to me by my late mother-in-law, Mary.

They had belonged to her parents, Ruth and Alvin.

Pewter came into fashion again in the 1920's.

She thought these had been purchased in Philadelphia around 1924.

I've been entrusted with many of the things she valued most.

She appreciated that we saw beauty in many of the same things.

I couldn't resist this shadow on the pillow.

It reminded me of Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast.

Can you hear Angela Lansbury singing?

These pieces have some bumps and bruises, but I think it adds to their charm.

This pewter cocktail shaker is the most damaged with large dings.

It came from the John Wanamaker store in Philadelphia.

Mary's father worked as the electrician for the store.

Lots of interesting history about Mr.Wanamaker.

A person could spend an afternoon reading about it all...and I did.

Above is the cocktail shaker marking.

Below is from the bottom of the coffee urn.

If you ever come across this mark, LMP Pat. Feb.06.06, it refers to the patent for Chromel- 

now called Nichrome, patented by an American named Albert Marsh.

Marsh discovered that this alloy, a mixture of nickel and chromium, 

had the ability to heat up quickly with very little electricity needed.

By using it in a wire, many electric heating devices became possible.

"Licenses making toasters, irons, bowl heaters and the like were required to label each item with the Feb. 6, 1906 date and LMP in a diamond (Licensed under Marsh Patents), although the latter is sometimes missing. The patent expired in 1923, the alloy entered the public domain, and the notice disappeared from products.

Thanks to his brilliance, we enjoy everything from toast to using a hair dryer.

Evidently there was quite a scandal with other companies (like GE) ripping off 

the Hoskin's Manufacting Co. where Mr. Marsh was an employee. 

GE lost the lawsuit filed by Hoskin's but payed out much more than the judgement amount 

in order to own partial rights.

Good thinking, GE.

Ok, history lesson over.

The coffee urn has no cord or interior filter, but it's great as a display piece.

I also noted that several of the coffee urns on eBay were listed as having Bakelite or wood handles.

These are definitely wood, including the tiny black bun feet.

This is the tray marking.

The Universal Percolator was first produced in 1905, according to the web.

There's some interesting reading about Landers, Frary and Clark.

"The Saga of Landers, Frary and Clark"- here.

(I told you I was reading all afternoon.)

I wonder if the sugar bowl had a top?

 Maybe lost in travel from Philly to Texas?

 Ruth and Alvin lived here until their deaths in the late 1970's.

 

I think these pieces are beautiful.

I really enjoyed learning about some of the history that they relate to.

Hey, wake up!  No sleeping on my blog!

It's almost over...hang in there.

 Can you spot a similar coffee set in this ad from 1917?

This email from 2005 was tucked inside the urn.

I had forgotten that I'd put it there.
Thank you, Mary.

If I ever travel to Philly, I'd love to go see the store.
It's a Macy's now, but the place looks incredible.
Anyone have childhood memories of going to Wanamaker's for Christmas
or eating in the Tea Room?
I'd love to hear about it.
I'm pretty infatuated with it now!

I'll share about the old bread board table later this week!

Sharing at:

You're Gonna Love It Tuesday

Thrifty Life Thursday @ Revi's

Simple and Sweet Fridays