Towle Silversmiths facts for kids
Towle Silversmiths is a well-known American company that makes beautiful silver items. They are famous for their sterling silver flatware, which includes forks, spoons, and knives. The company has a long history, creating many popular designs that are still loved today.
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The Start of Towle Silversmiths
The story of Towle Silversmiths began a very long time ago, in 1690. A skilled silversmith named William Moulton II started a shop in Newbury, Massachusetts. He was the first silversmith in that area. His family continued to run the silver business for many years.
From Family Shop to Company
In 1857, two apprentices, Anthony Francis Towle and William P. Jones, took over the business. They officially formed a company called Towle & Jones. Later, in 1873, the company's name changed to A.F. Towle & Son.
Anthony Francis Towle then started another company, Towle Manufacturing Co., in 1882, while still owning A.F. Towle & Son. By 1890, the company adopted a special symbol: a large letter "T" with a lion inside it. This became their official trademark. An English silversmith named Richard Dimes, who moved to the U.S. in 1881, helped Towle start making "hollowware." Hollowware includes items like bowls, teapots, and pitchers, which are hollow inside. Eventually, the company became known simply as Towle Silversmiths.
Famous Silver Designs
Over the years, Towle Silversmiths created many beautiful sterling silver patterns for flatware. These designs became very popular across the United States.
Classic Patterns
- Candlelight: This pattern was introduced in 1934.
- Marie Louise: Created in 1939, this design was so special that it became the official sterling silver pattern used in U.S. embassies around the world.
- Old Master: Launched in 1942, many people consider this to be Towle's most important and well-known pattern.
Modern Designs
- Contour: This unique pattern came out in 1950. It was designed by Robert J. King and patented by John Van Koert. "Contour" was the first American sterling silver pattern to show a new style called "organic modernist design" after World War II. This style used smooth, natural shapes. It was also the only factory-made American flatware to be shown in the Museum of Modern Art's "Good Design" exhibitions, which highlighted excellent modern designs.
Changes and Ownership
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Towle Silversmiths grew by buying other companies. However, in 1986, the company faced some financial difficulties. They had problems managing their products and getting them to stores, and people were not buying as much. Because of these challenges, Towle had to seek special legal protection to reorganize its business.
New Owners
In 1990, a company called Syratech Inc. bought Towle Silversmiths. Syratech Inc. also owned other famous silver brands like Wallace Silversmiths and the International Silver Company. Later, in 2006, another company called Lifetime Brands Inc. purchased Syratech Inc., which meant they then owned Towle and the other silver brands too.
