From 1886
E G W & S
Plain serif E G W and S replace the curled Gothic lettering; EPNS can accompany examples of this family.
stamped · silverplate
Silver
Eg Webster and Son silver marks
Eg Webster and Son silver marks include stamped “BROOKLYN SILVER PLATE CO. / TRIPLE / PLATE” on silverplate dated c. 1895–1900.
- Active years
- c. 1859–1928
- Country
- United States
- Products
- silverplated tea and coffee services, trays and serving dishes, figural napkin rings, ornamental hollowware, some sterling silver
- Marks
- 7
The predecessor business was active around 1860. E. G. Webster & Son formed 1886; independent business sold to International Silver in 1928. Webster branding continued afterward; Webster-Wilcox was in use by 1954.
What to look for
- Read the letters individually: E G W & S represents E. G. Webster & Son. Gothic letters can be difficult to distinguish from C, B or Y. Compare the complete sequence and the shapes of the individual punches.
- Look for a separate material statement. STERLING identifies a different category from EPNS or TRIPLE PLATE; decorative crowns and animals in the maker’s device are not a British assay sequence.
- Added I S and INTERNATIONAL SILVER CO. identify the later corporate association. The 1928 acquisition does not by itself date the last use of every Webster punch.
Marks & lettering
7 marks
From 1886
E G W & S
Highly curled Gothic E and G distinguish this set from the plain block-letter version.
stamped · silverplate
From 1886
E.G.W.& SON / STERLING
Full & SON wording and STERLING distinguish this from EGW&S silverplate formats.
stamped · sterling silver
c. 1895–1900
BROOKLYN SILVER PLATE CO. / TRIPLE / PLATE
Brooklyn name replaces Webster wording entirely; central TRIPLE PLATE is part of the illustrated format.
stamped · silverplate
From 1928
E G W & S / I S / INTERNATIONAL SILVER CO.
Added I S and INTERNATIONAL SILVER CO. distinguish it from EGW&S used alone.
stamped · silverplate
Undated
QUADRUPLE PLATE / E. G. WEBSTER & BRO. / HARD WHITE METAL
& BRO. and the circular arm device identify the predecessor rather than an & SON initial group.
stamped · silverplate
Undated
Three top devices: floral sprig, crown and rampant lion; beneath are three small squares, a central star flanked by animal-like devices.
This composite pictorial device has a crown and lion rather than the five separate EGW&S letter punches.
stamped · silverplate
About E. G. Webster
Elizur Goodwin Webster established a silverplating business in New York around 1859–1860. Early partnerships included William Dupree and Webster’s brother Adelbert Ashley Webster. The enterprise used both Webster Manufacturing Company and E. G. Webster & Brother as business names, with manufacturing in Brooklyn and sales premises in New York. It supplied plated table and serving wares, including tea services, trays, dishes and elaborate ornamental pieces.
In 1886 Adelbert left the partnership and Elizur’s son Frederick Hezekiah Webster joined him under the name E. G. Webster & Son. Frederick developed methods of decorating metal hollowware and received a patent in 1890. The firm made silverplate and some sterling silver. Its marks included complete company names, groups of initials and decorative devices. Brooklyn Silver Plate Co. was another name used on figural napkin rings.
Elizur died in 1900 and Frederick continued the business. International Silver acquired the firm in 1928 and moved production to Meriden, Connecticut. The Webster name survived the acquisition. By 1954 contemporary advertising identified a Webster-Wilcox division, combining the Webster and Wilcox lines within International Silver.
Also known as: E. G. Webster & Brother · Webster Manufacturing Co. · E.G.W.&S. · Brooklyn Silver Plate Co. · Elizur Goodwin Webster / E. G. Webster & Son
Look-alikes & how to tell them apart
Webster Company, North Attleboro, Massachusetts
This separate firm used an interlaced W/C with a feathered arrow. E. G. Webster’s New York and Brooklyn marks use the EGW&S name sequence and other distinct devices.
A. A. Webster & Co.
Adelbert’s separate Brooklyn business followed his departure in 1886. Check for A. A. rather than E. G., and for & CO. rather than & SON.