Birks Sterling
Could luxury items–such as a 70+ Piece Set of Birks Sterling Flatware–be purchased during WWII?
Could someone please explain how my (American) grandmama was able to purchase from Birks-Dingwall in Winnipeg, Canada (via mail) a 70+ piece set of Birks George II sterling flatware just a few weeks after our soldiers hit the beaches of Normady? In the US and UK citizens were turning in their non-essential metals to melt into bullets, guns, planes, and tanks. Wouldn’t Sterling Silver have been: (1) wanted by the Canadian Govt for the war effort, (2) a rationed item, or (3) such a scarce item it would have been “kept back” for a Canadian and not sold to a common American housewife in Idaho? Apparently R.G. Morrow of Birks-Dingwell, Winnipeg took her cheque for $249.53–I have receipt–wrote a nice note and sent it and a heavy chest of Canadian sterling flatware to her in Sandpoint, Idaho. Grandaddy–Winnipeg-born, US-naturalized, yet forever a Canadian–insisted any silver bought MUST be bought at Birks. Yet the question…How’d she buy a precious metal luxury item during WWII?
Grandmama’s silver may have been prewar stock. Merchants did not have to melt down their existing inventories. My parents married in 1943. My mother found an obscure rural hardware store full of prewar merchandise. She was able to purchase aluminum pans and Christmas lights (copper wire). I don’t think a non-essential luxury item would have been rationed. If you could find sterling silver and afford it, you could buy it.
Since it happened, cross border sales must have been allowed. It would not surprise me if Birks-Digwell for patriotic reasons chose to not sell to non-Canadians. Grandaddy’s roots may have circumvented that. On an unpatriotic note, international sales may not have been subject to any price controls.
Birks acquired Gorham’s Canadian operations around 1907. There are patterns that are identical but have distinct Birks and Gorham pattern names. The question is, who actually manufactured the flatware? I don’t know. Flatware sold in Canada but actually made in the US could be sold back there with no problem?
I agree, one would not expect sterling flatware to have been manufactured during WWII. The raw materials, craftsmen and machinery would have been too important to the war effort. Last week I found a tid-bit that contradicts this. Westmorland Sterling produced flatware during WWII with the V for victory in Morse code. Following the word sterling, 3 dots and a dash was on the bottom of pieces. You may be able to find some pictures showing this at the source below.
I think I raised more questions than I answered.
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SAXON DINNER KNIFE Modern Blade BIRKS STERLING $99.95 |
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SAXON ROUND OR GUMBO SPOON BIRKS STERLING $99.95 |
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SAXON SEAFOOD FORK BIRKS STERLING $39.95 |
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LOUIS XV BUTTER SPREADER Hollow Handle BIRKS STERLING $47.95 |
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QUEEN ANNE 3 PC TEA SET BIRKS STERLING SILVER $1,224.95 |
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STERLING SOUVENIR SPOON VANCOUVER COUNTRY CLUB BIRKS $22.95 |
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SAXON SUGAR SHELL OR SPOON BIRKS STERLING $74.95 |
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SAXON OVAL OR PLACE SPOON BIRKS STERLING $89.95 |
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SAXON DINNER FORK BIRKS STERLING $110.00 |
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SAXON STEAK KNIFE Serrated Blade BIRKS STERLING $99.95 |
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VERSAILLES OVAL OR DESSERT SPOON BIRKS STERLING $74.95 |
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SAXON BUTTER KNIFE Hollow Handle BIRKS STERLING $54.95 |
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SAXON LUNCHEON KNIFE Blunt Blade GEM BIRKS STERLING $29.95 |
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SOUVENIR SPOON KINGSTON CNTRY CLUB BIRKS RODEN STERLING $22.95 |
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SAXON FISH KNIFE & FORK Hollow Handle BIRKS STERLING $174.95 |
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SAXON OFFSET PIE / CAKE SERVER BIRKS STERLING $164.95 |
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Birks POMPADOUR (STERLING) Demi Spoon 1889294 $28.99 |
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Birks OLD ENGLISH (STERLING) Youth Spoon 4356890 $40.99 |
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Birks OLD ENGLISH (STERLING) Egg Spoon 4355940 $52.99 |
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Sterling Henry Birks LOUIS XV FORK 6 7/8″ $85.00 |
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Sterling Henry Birks LOUIS XV FORK 6 7/8″ Mono D $80.00 |
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BIRKS STERLING LOUIS XV SUGAR TONGS $35.00 |
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BIRKS GEORGE II STERLING DINNER FORKS $119.95 |
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BIRKS GEORGE II STERLING 5 FIVE O’CLOCK SPOONS $37.00 |
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Birks Sterling Silver Saxon 7″ Dinner Fork $49.99 |
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ADORABLE ANTIQUE BIRKS STERLING SILVER BUTTER PADDY/MINT PLATE MINT CONDITION $19.95 |
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Lot of 6 Birks Sterling Silver Old English 7″ Dinner Fork Monogram S ~ 334 grams $350.00 |
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BIRK’S CHANTILLY Sterling Silver Straight Hdle. BABY SPOON Mono ‘S’ #1530 $47.95 |
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RODEN BROS. (BIRKS) HEAVY STERLING SILVER (925) FORK: Scrap Weight 46 Grams $35.00 |
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RODEN BROS. (BIRKS) HEAVY STERLING SILVER (925) FORK: Scrap Weight 46 Grams $35.00 |
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RODEN BROS. (BIRKS) HEAVY STERLING SILVER (925) FORK: Scrap Weight 46 Grams $35.00 |
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RODEN BROS. (BIRKS) HEAVY STERLING SILVER (925) FORK: Scrap Weight 46 Grams $35.00 |
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3 Antique 1899 Date Mark BIRKS STERLING Silver Spoons Dove Olive Branch Cross $79.00 |
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BIRKS STERLING VERSAILLES SMALL SAUCE LADLE 1904-1924 $59.95 |
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Minny Sterling silver bowl by Birks sterling $30.99 |
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ANTIQUE ENGRAVED BIRKS STERLING CHATELAINE CIGARETTE CASE DANCE PURSE MONO “M” $194.99 |
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VTG BIRKS STERLING 3 PIECE DELUXE DRESSER VANITY SET 15″ MIRROR BRUSH COMB 1+ # $649.99 |
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SAXON BY BIRKS STERLING SILVER BUTTER SPREADER 6 5/8″ HH $49.00 |
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BIRKS STERLING SILVER BELL SHAPE RING BOX $76.00 |
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Rare Birks Sterling Bead Pattern Fish serving set etched Knife 11″ fork 8 3/4″ $125.00 |
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Vintage Canadian Army Service Corps Eighth Divisional Train Birks Sterling Spoon $9.99 |
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RARE BIRKS ELLIS STERLING SILVER HORSE RACE TROPHY HENDRIE CUP 1938 ~ 680 GRAMS $729.00 |
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Antique BIRKS STERLING BABY FOOD PUSHER c1900-10 $55.00 |
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Birks Sterling Silver Old English Reversed 7″ Dinner Fork No Monogram 57.5 grams $55.00 |
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Lot of 6 Birks Sterling Silver Old English Salad Fork No Monogram ~ 197.7 grams $210.00 |
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BIRKS STERLING SILVER VINTAGE RING BOX ” BEAUTIFUL SUNRAY PATTERN ” EXC+ $110.50 |
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CRYSTAL SALT CELLAR WITH BIRKS GADROON STERLING SPOON $18.00 |
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Birks Sterling Silver Old English Reversed 6 7/8″ Dinner Fork No Monogram 52 gr $55.00 |
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1900? Sterling Silver Spoon Ring – Marked Gorham – Chantilly Pattern – 11 Grams $39.99 |
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ANTIQUE BIRKS STERLING SILVER CRYSTAL FLUTE & BUD VASE L@@K NO RES BUY IT NOW! $24.99 |