Stephen Guernsey Cook Ensko facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stephen G. C. Ensko
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Ensko circa 1950-1960
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| Born | May 9, 1896 |
| Died | December 18, 1969 (aged 73) |
| Occupation | Silver expert |
| Spouse(s) |
Dorothea
(m. 1918; |
| Children | Dorothea Charlotte Ensko (1920- ) Stephen W. Ensko (1922-1944) Alice Elizabeth Ensko (1924-1999) |
| Parent(s) | Robert Ensko (1855-1934) Mary Elizabeth Blakeley (1857-?) |
Stephen Guernsey Cook Ensko (born May 9, 1896 – died December 18, 1969) was a famous expert on old American silver. He wrote important books that are still used today to learn about antique silver.
Early Life and Family
Stephen Ensko was born in 1896 in Manhattan, New York City. His father, Robert Ensko, was also involved in the silver business. Stephen had several brothers and sisters. One brother, Lamont Northrope Ensko, also worked in the family's silver company.
In 1918, Stephen married Dorothea J. Winterloff. They had three children: Dorothea Charlotte, Stephen William, and Alice Elizabeth. Sadly, his son Stephen William was a soldier in the United States Army and died during World War II.
During World War I, Stephen registered for the draft, which was a way for the government to call people to serve in the military. However, he did not end up serving. At that time, he was working as a dealer of old items, including silver.
His Work with Silver
After his father passed away in 1934, Stephen took over the family business, Robert Ensko, Inc. The company had a showroom in Manhattan. Stephen continued to have new silver items made that looked like old ones, and these were sold under the Ensko name.
Stephen was very dedicated to sharing knowledge about American silver. He took his father's book, Makers of Early American Silver, and made it even better. He updated it and published it in 1927 with a new title: American Silversmiths and their Marks. This book became a very important guide for people who study old silver.
The first edition of his book was quite rare, with only 310 copies made. Many of these first copies were lost in an accident. But Stephen didn't give up! He published a second edition in 1937 and a third in 1948. He also wrote an eight-volume series called English Silver 1675-1825 in 1937, working with Edward Wenham.
Later Life and Legacy
Stephen Ensko passed away in 1969 in New York City. His wife, Dorothea, died a few years later in 1977.
His books, especially American Silversmiths and their Marks, are still considered the best resources for identifying and learning about early American silver. They are used by collectors, historians, and experts all over the world.
Stephen Ensko's Books
- 1915 Makers of Early American Silver; by Robert Ensko (Stephen's father)
- 1927 American Silversmiths and Their Marks; by Stephen Ensko
- 1937 American Silversmiths and Their Marks; by Stephen Ensko (second edition)
- 1937 English Silver 1675–1825 in 8 volumes; by Stephen Ensko and Edward Wenham
- 1948 American Silversmiths and Their Marks; by Stephen Ensko (third edition)
- 1983 American Silversmiths and Their Marks (a softcover version of the 1948 book); by Stephen Ensko ISBN: 0-486-24428-8
- 1990 American Silversmiths and Their Marks; by Dorothea Charlotte Ensko (Stephen's daughter) and Vernon Charles Wyle ISBN: 0-87923-778-3
