Upgrade Your Dining Set: The Vintage Flatware That Could Be A Rare Thrift Find

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There's nothing more satisfying than spotting a truly special thrift store find: that rare treasure with a reasonable price tag that's secretly worth a fortune. Hotel silver is one of those hidden gems that true thrift store aficionados will know to be on the hunt for and that will instantly upgrade your dinner table with a refined touch. Originally created for luxury hotels in the 19^th and early 20^th centuries, this desirable flatware may, if you're particularly lucky, even bear a distinctive insignia associated with such storied institutions as the Waldorf Astoria or the Omni Parker House.

Hotel silver originated in Europe and was used for fine dining services in luxury trains, ocean liners, private clubs, and restaurants, as well as hotels. Anxious not to be left behind in sophistication, American hotels soon followed suit, producing their own versions of the elegant utensils. Composed of silver plating over a base of copper or nickel mixed with other alloys, hotel silver was designed to be durable as well as stylish. These spoons, forks, knives (and even trays and jugs) could withstand heavy rotations in commercial establishments in a way that sterling silver would not, while retaining the elegance of a silver service.

While hotel silver is certainly an elegant way to upgrade your flatware, it's not necessarily easy to find. Anything with an obvious insignia from a particularly famous or indeed extinct hotel will probably command a higher price and is less likely to turn up in your local thrift store. These rare FrenchHotelSilver Ritz Teaspoons sold on Etsy for $110 are one example. However, flatware from lesser-known establishments can still make a fun vintage addition to your table. Even if you can't find a complete set of flatware from one manufacturer, there's no reason not to mix and match your hotel silver for a slightly funkier but no less pretty place setting.

There are certain hallmarks that will help you spot hotel silver, including simple, clean lines (although some pieces can be ornate) and a general heftiness. The piece should feel heavier than you might expect due to its mixed alloy core. It also helps to know the manufacturers behind hotel silver, because while a piece may not bear the name of the hotel itself, it's likely to at least have the name of the maker stamped somewhere. Prominent silversmiths including Reed & Barton, Gorham, and International Silver Company became synonymous with the production of hotel silver in the mid-19^th century, so keep an eye out for these names. The same goes for Oneida, another antique silverware brand worth hunting for at the thrift store for its collaborations with hotels like Hilton. If the proprietor isn't aware of the provenance of the pieces, you may have a bargain on your hands because you did your homework!