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 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 Continental / International Silver
 P. W. Ellis & Company
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| Author | Topic: P. W. Ellis & Company |
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Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 |
posted 01-25-2006 12:34 PM
  
A dealer at the Miami shows ask me to identify this maker for him. I don't often see this mark of the Canadian firm P. W. Ellis & Company, which is now owned by Birks. Do you? IP: Logged |
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Dale Posts: 2132 |
posted 01-25-2006 12:47 PM
I have rarely ever seen the mark. But the pattern looks familiar. Is it a Whiting from the 1890's or early 1900's? Is there any information on the companies' production, like pattern id's? IP: Logged |
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Richard Kurtzman Moderator Posts: 768 |
posted 01-25-2006 01:37 PM
While this mark may be seldom seen here in the U.S. it is fairly common in Canada. Their trademark is similar to that of Gorham's and Ellis was sued by Gorham for copying their mark. The pattern looks nearly identical to Whiting's King Edward. [This message has been edited by Richard Kurtzman (edited 01-25-2006).] IP: Logged |
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Dale Posts: 2132 |
posted 01-25-2006 03:05 PM
Thank you Richard for the identification. It sure looks like King Edward to me also. I just couldn't remember the pattern name. My question, or interest, would be this. Did Ellis just knock off the Whiting design. Or did they make a close copy. Or did they come up with this independantly. Or did they work with Whiting to sell in Canada. Is there any known connection between the two firms? It appears to have been the custom for silverplate companies to sell their dies once a pattern had reached the end of its market cycle. Could this have happened here? IP: Logged |
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Paul Lemieux Posts: 1792 |
posted 01-25-2006 06:40 PM
I seem to recall reading that these Canadian retailers worked out an agreement to be the exclusive maker/retailer of popular American patterns in Canada. I have seen a number of patterns, like Lancaster Rose, Chantilly, Louis XV, etc. marked with Canadian marks. The patterns are identical, not merely close copies. IP: Logged |
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Richard Kurtzman Moderator Posts: 768 |
posted 01-25-2006 10:07 PM
Gorham had a Canadian branch and a close relationship with Birks. Birks bought out the Gorham Company of Canada Ltd. in 1907 and and we know that Birks acquired the dies of Chantilly and Louis XV. Birks later acquired Ellis in the 1920s. There would seem to be a connection here. A number of other companies that later became part of The International Silver Co. also had a strong presence in Canada. [This message has been edited by Richard Kurtzman (edited 01-25-2006).] IP: Logged |
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jprice33 Posts: 204 |
posted 01-26-2006 08:22 PM
Tend to see more Birks than PW Ellis out there & they're generally the more common "Place Setting" pieces as opposed to Esoteric Servers.. Can create an Inventory nightmare if not careful & mixed together.. IP: Logged |
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jprice33 Posts: 204 |
posted 02-01-2006 05:11 PM
My Rainwater actually shows the mark you posted as J.E. ELLIS & CO of Canada..Third Edition revised.. Just cross-checked another (Revised Fourth Edition) which does show it as PW Ellis.. that must be correct.. had a Large Jelly Server identical to Whiting's Louis XV come in with only the 'E' within the Maple Leaf yesterday (and STERLING)..seldom seen, but then there it is.. IP: Logged |
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DB Posts: 252 |
posted 08-12-2006 10:56 AM
P.W.Ellis &Co., was a big Toronto jewellery and silverware manufacturer, importer of watches and watch repair equipment. P.W. Ellis &Co was a partnership of Philip William and his twin brother Matthew, founded 1877 and sold 1928 to W.N.Stock (see announcement in November 1928 issue of the Trader and Jeweller) which reads:"Announcement To The Trade. The P.W.Ellis & Company, Ltd. stock of Merchandise, Plant and Equipment has been purchased by W.N.Stock. The Factory is now running in full force and any orders entrusted to our care will be filled carefully and as promptly as possible. We solicit your favors and same will be greatly appreciated. Use a Telegram at our expense. W.N.Stock Successor to P.W.Ellis &Co., Limited" Just "love" this language and thought I share this. In his later years P.W.Ellis was fascinated and actively contributing (as board member) to the development of the Hydro Electric Power Plant in Niagara Falls, and he was also "the directing genius" (Obituary May 1929 in Trader and Jeweller) of the Queen Victoria Niagara Falls Parks commission, he foresaw that the development of Hydro would make Niagara Falls a more popular resort. There are so many Ellis' (and many are twins) in the Toronto jewellery trade, that one can easily be confused. The last Ellis brothers were connected with Birks as managers, (If I am not mistaken they were nephews to P.W.Ellis). ------------------ IP: Logged |
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