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Unknown maker: GRIMM

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Author	Topic: Unknown maker: GRIMM
Cheryl and Richard Posts: 154 Registered: May 99	posted 12-18-2002 02:23 PM This napkin ring is at least sixty years old. Rainwater doesn't have the mark; can anyone identify it? IP: Logged
FredZ Posts: 1070 Registered: Jun 99	posted 12-18-2002 06:35 PM I believe this is the work of Ralph Grimm who may have been associated with the Washington, DC Society of Arts & Crafts. Most of his work is highly textured and his bowls are usually fluted. He worked in copper as well as sterling. I am not certain what the Logo signifies.. The bowl I own has it as well. It also has WRGH which I assume is short for wrought. Does anyone have information about this short lived Society in Washington, DC? Grimm may have connection with the Cleveland area. This city had several well recognized silversmiths who were active in the Arts & Crafts Movement. IP: Logged
Cheryl and Richard Posts: 154 Registered: May 99	posted 01-14-2003 05:23 PM Cleveland is the origin of the napkin ring, as far as we know, so Fred is on to something. IP: Logged
FredZ Posts: 1070 Registered: Jun 99	posted 12-19-2009 08:18 AM I have found additional information about Ralph Grimm. Grimm was a blacksmith and coal miner who lost both his legs as a private in WWI. Learned silversmithing through the occupational therapy courses at Walter Reed Hospital. Photographs of him appear in "Bordens Dream: The Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington" D.C." by Mary W. Standlee. The photographs show him at his workbench surrounded by his tools and work. He is also shown with Mrs. Calvin Coolidge. Grimm gained notoriety for his ability to go beyond his handicap and open his one business in Washington. The WRGH used on some of his work stands for Walter Reed General Hospital and I suspect the W in a circle refers to Washington. Fred [This message has been edited by FredZ (edited 12-19-2009).] [This message has been edited by FredZ (edited 12-19-2009).] IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 12-19-2009 10:16 AM quote: .....The Gray Ladies collected old silver for the solid silver communion service, made by Private Ralph Grim, a double amputee patient who became an expert silversmith in the rehabilitation shops at Walter Reed. IP: Logged
vathek Posts: 966 Registered: Jun 99	posted 12-19-2009 10:56 AM I'm amazed that soldiers could get this type of training at Walter Reed. IP: Logged
FredZ Posts: 1070 Registered: Jun 99	posted 12-19-2009 04:34 PM Scott,That is the picture I spoke of. There is another image of First Lady Calvin Coolidge and him that is in the same book. I have not seen it yet. I spoke to historian Glenn Griffin this morning and he said the mark of the W in a circle shown on the napkin ring is the Walter Reed Hospital logo as well. Fred IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 12-19-2009 05:29 PM IP: Logged
Dale Posts: 2132 Registered: Nov 2002	posted 12-19-2009 07:07 PM Occupational therapy for wounded veterans goes back a long way. One of the most common forms was teaching veterans to sew in expectation that they could become tailors. They produced quilts into which they poured their memories and thoughts. These are called patriotic quilts. IP: Logged
FredZ Posts: 1070 Registered: Jun 99	posted 01-21-2010 07:15 AM Scott, Thanks for posting the images. It gives us a glimpse into this man and makes the pieces I own by him come to life. Fred IP: Logged
FredZ Posts: 1070 Registered: Jun 99	posted 09-23-2013 01:18 AM I acquired this copper bowl by Grimm and am posting it to show the typical textured finish that is common in Grimm's work IP: Logged
bascall Posts: 1629 Registered: Nov 99	posted 09-23-2013 04:30 PM Some if not all of this may be in the book mentioned above, but just in case, I'll add what I have found here: The W in a circle symbol very much resembles the badge of Pvt Ralph Orion Grimm's Army Infantry Division, the 89th. He was born 16 July 1889 in Santa Barbara, California and died 23 February 1935 in Washington DC. [This message has been edited by bascall (edited 09-24-2013).] IP: Logged
FredZ Posts: 1070 Registered: Jun 99	posted 09-24-2013 11:12 PM Bascall, I believe you have solved the mystery of the W like mark in the circle. It is the insignia of the 89th Infantry Division. It makes perfect sense. I get a tremendous trill knowing this is solved. I will share this with the Arts & Craft Movement crowd. There are only a handful of us who find these things fascinating. Thanks, Fred [This message has been edited by FredZ (edited 09-24-2013).] IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 09-25-2013 04:45 AM quote: Doughboy War: The American Expeditionary Force in World War I Page 327 Epilogue ..... Other thousands, such as Ralph Grimm, a former blacksmith and coal miner, faced even higher hurdles than simple unemployment. Grimm, who lost both legs at about hip level to a German shell in the Argonne, would spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair. Through occupational courses at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, he learned to become an expert jewelry craftsman and eventually opened his own shop. Some of his even less fortunate comrades, crippled and broken, would end their days in veterans hospitals. ..... IP: Logged
Cheryl and Richard Posts: 154 Registered: May 99	posted 01-05-2014 03:41 PM This is certainly a heartwarming end for the story of a fallen hero. IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 06-12-2015 09:46 AM IP: Logged
asheland Posts: 935 Registered: Nov 2003	posted 06-12-2015 10:01 AM I like that bowl, Scott! This is an interesting thread. I must have missed it before. Thanks for sharing this interesting story everybody! IP: Logged
Cheryl and Richard Posts: 154 Registered: May 99	posted 07-04-2015 02:42 PM We are delighted to have started such an interesting thread. Thanks, everybody, for your information. IP: Logged
FredZ Posts: 1070 Registered: Jun 99	posted 07-12-2015 02:52 PM Scott, I have the same bowl in copper. Grimm used this unplanished finish often in his work. Fred IP: Logged
chicagosilver Posts: 227 Registered: Aug 2005	posted 03-29-2018 06:18 PM Most of the Grimm pieces we've seen have the W-in-circle mark. Here's a totally different one, on a nicely hammered cup with a typical Arts & Crafts applied monogram: IP: Logged
FredZ Posts: 1070 Registered: Jun 99	posted 09-01-2018 05:01 PM Here is an image on a copper bowl made by Grimm. This mark is documented in a book written to commemorate the anniversary of the opening of the hospital. [This message has been edited by FredZ (edited 09-01-2018).] [This message has been edited by FredZ (edited 09-01-2018).] IP: Logged
FredZ Posts: 1070 Registered: Jun 99	posted 09-01-2018 05:38 PM Here is an image taken of a sterling silver ashtray made by Grimm and only marked Walter Reed General Hospital. This image is from the book written to commemorate the anniversary of the opening of the hospital. It is quite possible that another patient could have made this ashtray and the copper bowl I have in my collection. [This message has been edited by FredZ (edited 09-01-2018).] [This message has been edited by FredZ (edited 09-02-2018).] IP: Logged

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