




The problem with this idea is that none of her children ended up with children of their own or a large group of socially inclined friends, and the irritating nature of decorative flatware (since it cannot be washed in the dishwasher but must be specially cleaned and polished) precludes its frequent use. Therefore, it was time to pass this along to someone who might actually use it. It is the “Flirtation” pattern from the Oneida Community within the “1881 Rogers” line. The box is branded AMC and reads “YOUR MARK OF QUALITY / TARNISH PROOF CHEST” on a sticker inside the lid. The box has a hinged top compartment and a pull-out lower drawer. The lower drawer, in addition to the flatware contents, also contains a cloth bag marked “STRAWBRIDGE & CLOTHIER / PHILADELPHIA” and an unopened package of Hagerty Silver Protection Strips with stickering from the Oneida Factory Store. This set contains eighty pieces of assorted flatware (mostly forks and spoons, with twelve knives and several one-off larger pieces such as a soup tureen serving spoon or a slotted butter knife). Many of these pieces, including all of the’one-offs’, are still shrinkwrapped in plastic sleeves. Each item is marked “1881 ROGERS” and “ONEIDA LIMITED” on the reverse side of the handles, with the exception of the knives, which are entirely unmarked. In keeping with common convention, the knife blades, and perhaps the handles as well, are highly likely to be stainless steel; all other items in the set can be assumed to be fully silverplate. This silverplate set is in good used condition, especially considering its age. Some pieces are stained, scuffed, and/or tarnished, but most appear gleaming and beautiful, and many have never even been unwrapped from the original shrink-wrapped protective sleeves (see pictures). The box is scuffed in several places. My offering is CONSIDERABLY cheaper!