Stanley Roberts Flatware

DS has a set of Stanley Roberts International House of Design stainless flatware, accented with an insert of flat rosewood running down the handles. Very modern, and a hot item today, as American modern stainless and sterling flatware is sleek and simple – and desirable in the market. AND there’s plenty of 1950s and 1960s wedding sets of both stainless and sterling flatware services out there. Hint: they can be professionally polished up by your jeweler if damaged. 

Stanley Roberts International House of Design was the largest importer of stainless flatware in the U.S. till the early days of the 1970s, and took advantage of the cheap and exquisitely precise laborers in Japan and Korea. DS’ set is marked with the pattern name “Kamaran” and ‘Stainless Japan.’ The whole set has two market values: it is worth $1,000 (the service for 12) to the Palm Springs mid-century collector, and $200 to the garage sale collector. 

Other fabulous mod designs by Stanley Roberts are the pattern called “Cycles” which has a long wide “O” shape for the handles, and “Maestro” which has a 1.5” thick flat handle with geometric raised designs of embossed diamonds in circles. I can just see my mother’s neighbor, Mrs. Martorella in Deerfield, Illinois, who decorated in the latest modern styles, setting her table with these patterns.

American flatware, both the modern sterling and the modern stainless patterns, are having a resurgence. The first modern patterns in the 1930s were French and Danish made. U.S. flatware companies didn’t grasp the possibilities of the modern market till the mid 1950s, and it was then they seized the optimum opportunity. This is because during the war, the U.S. stockpiled silver for use in electronics, and after the war the Government sold silver for reasonable prices. The U.S. silver flatware companies bought this flood of reasonably-priced metal, realizing that – previous to the mid 1950s – sterling silver flatware was considered a luxury commodity. Initially only the wealthy set a table with sterling. But after WWII, the middle class could afford to buy silver flatware – a fact capitalized upon in the media, where advertising to prospective brides was encouraged by the dual powerhouses of etiquette; Emily Post and Amy Vanderbilt. It soon became de rigueur for each bridal guest to gift one place setting of matched sterling flatware. 

During this mid-century boom period, many patterns made by the great American sterling flatware companies were copied in stainless – with some design tweaking to avoid copyright issues. Some of the finest American designers worked for the sterling manufacturers, such as Raymond Loewy. 

Here are some ultra-modern American patterns that might have been presented to a couple for a 1950’s or 1960’s wedding: 1948 Towle “Contour,” 1954 “Theme,” 1956 “Celeste,” 1953 International Silver “Silver Rhythm,” 1957 Gorham “Stardust,” and Wallace “Discovery.” Stardust was just like it sounds: a simple handle with star patterns, and this was copied in stainless and on chrome-plated utensils that you could buy at Kresge’s; corporate predecessor to Kmart. On that note, the best stainless flatware has 10% nickel, which makes it more durable, more resistant to bending (think of an ice cream spoon). Nickel offers protection against corrosion and creates luster and shine. Stainless flatware with no nickel is cheaper and found in fast food restaurants! DS’ stainless is heavy, indicating nickel.

On the other hand, the finest, heaviest, and most expensive modern sterling flatware pattern was made by Reed and Barton in 1958. The pattern was so popular that, despite it being pricey and elegantly simple, it is today highly collectible. Designed by Danish American John Prip and sketched by none other than Gio Ponti, the favorite and distinctive “vision” of 1961 was (and is – the pattern is still in production) the most unique: the handle is canted to the side instead of lying flat on a table. Thus the fork tines or spoon bowl is at right angles to the handle! 

Researching this type of object, I learned some valuable flatware hints, which I’m happy to share. Sterling should be used every day (just as pearls may be worn daily in casual settings when properly accessorized. If you put stainless and sterling flatware together in those baskets used in a dishwasher, the sterling will come out spotted. DS’ stainless pattern named “Kamaran” has a wood insert and should not be soaked. Dishwasher detergent can leave a white haze on all flatware but on sterling it is almost impossible to polish away. Detergents that have lemon or citrus additives are not good for sterling, and neither is “Saran” Wrap. Though as an appraiser I see drawers of sterling wrapped like that, over time the wrap and sterling will actually fuse. Drying immediately after washing by hand is always the best practice.