Licensed Wm. Rogers eagle-and-star line; Simpson, Hall, Miller and later International Silver
1878–1976
WM ROGERS
Eagle precedes the plain WM ROGERS name and a five-pointed star follows it; no SON or MFG CO.
stamped · silverplated metal
Ware & regional marks
Wm Rogers marks
Wm Rogers marks include stamped “WM ROGERS MFG CO AA” on silverplated metal. Wm Rogers worked in Hartford, Connecticut, United States.
- Country
- United States
- City / region
- Hartford, Connecticut
- Products
- silverplated flatware, silverplated hollowware, cutlery, early related coin-silver spoons
- Marks
- 5
The manufacturing company began in 1865 and incorporated in 1872. The related eagle-and-star name has earlier coin-silver and later licensed silverplate phases. No single date range is assigned to all WM ROGERS marks.
What to look for
- Copy every word and symbol. WM ROGERS & SON, WM ROGERS MFG CO and an eagle–WM ROGERS–star stamp identify different formats.
- Treat 1865 in the company trademark as a historical brand date. It does not mean the spoon or fork was made in that year.
- Read AA, QUADRUPLE PLATE and IS separately from the maker’s name. The illustrated pieces belong to silverplate lines; those letters are not a sterling fineness mark.
- Match the complete handle pattern as well as its stamp when narrowing the date of flatware.
Key makers & their marks
5 marks
Wm. Rogers Manufacturing Company
Undated
WM ROGERS MFG CO / HARTFORD CONN / QUADRUPLE PLATE
Three-line hollowware stamp gives the Hartford location and QUADRUPLE PLATE rather than only a flatware name.
stamped · silverplated metal
Wm. Rogers Manufacturing Company
Undated
WM ROGERS MFG CO AA
MFG CO and AA occupy one shallow oblong cartouche. It differs from the SON wording and the later IS stamp.
stamped · silverplated metal
International Silver, Wm. Rogers Manufacturing line
Undated
WM ROGERS MFG CO / ORIGINAL ROGERS
IS follows the company name, with ORIGINAL ROGERS separately to the right.
stamped · silverplated metal
Wm. Rogers Manufacturing Company / Wm. Rogers & Son
Undated
WM. ROGERS & SON AA
SON and AA follow the name in a long rectangular cartouche; there is no MFG CO or eagle.
stamped · silverplated metal
About Wm Rogers
Wm Rogers appears on several related American silver and silverplate lines. The Hartford business most closely associated with WM ROGERS MFG CO and WM ROGERS & SON began in 1865 under William Rogers. He had previously worked with his brothers in Connecticut’s developing electroplated tableware industry. The manufacturing company was incorporated in 1872, and the familiar names continued as trademarks beyond the founder’s direct involvement.
William H. Watrous brought the manufacturing company and Rogers Cutlery Company into a joint business arrangement in 1879. Watrous became president, treasurer and manager of the combined interests. Expansion led to larger premises on Market Street in Hartford in 1887. The firm made silverplated tableware and cutlery, selling through retailers and advertising named flatware patterns. It became part of International Silver in 1898, while the established Rogers wording remained commercially valuable.
A separate eagle–WM ROGERS–star trademark had a longer history. William Rogers used an early form on coin-silver spoons; later licensed versions appeared on silverplated flatware and hollowware. Consequently, a Rogers name alone does not identify one factory, one metal or one period. The precise initials, company wording, surrounding symbols and accompanying plate or fineness marks distinguish the different lines.
Also known as: William Rogers · Wm. Rogers & Son · Wm. Rogers Mfg. Co. · eagle Wm Rogers star · Wm. Rogers Manufacturing Company and related Wm. Rogers marks
Look-alikes & how to tell them apart
Wm. A. Rogers / Oneida →
The additional A identifies a separate business, later acquired by Oneida. Do not merge it with the Hartford Wm. Rogers Manufacturing line.
1847 Rogers Bros.
This is a separate Rogers trademark associated with Meriden Britannia and International Silver. The 1847 wording differs from WM ROGERS and is not a manufacture year for every object.
F.B. Rogers Silver Co.
The F.B. initials and crown designs belong to another Rogers concern. Read the initials rather than relying on the surname.