HUGE ~108g~ STERLING SHOE HORN ~ American Victorian Georgian Repousse Rococo

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HUGE ~108g~ STERLING SHOE HORN ~ American Victorian Georgian Repousse Rococo :
$89.99

ABOUT THE Wm. B. Durgin & Co. (from NutmegGraters website)

Silversmiths located in Concord, NHUSA, from 1854 to 1905. The company created an extensive line of luxury sterling items.

William Butler Durgin (1833~1905)was born and raised on a family farm on the riverbanks of the Pemigewasset innorthern Campton, NH. At age 16, William was apprenticed as a silversmithtoHarding Newall & Companyin Boston, MA. During hisapprenticeship (1849~1854), William rose through the ranks to head the company,becoming a skillful master silver craftsman. William gained proficiency down tothe smallest detail, both in silversmithing and in business management. He wasdescribed as ambitious, tireless, and talented. He possessed both superiortrade knowledgable, and an untiring work ethic.

Reaching his age of majority in 1854, at 21, William returned toConcord, NH, opening his own silver business. Starting in a small one room shopopposite Free Bridge Road, William took on his first apprentice in 1855; thesame year his son George Francis Durgin (1855~1905) was born. During his fouryears at this location, William (with this later addition of his assistant)produced silver spoons which he peddled directly, initially finding variouslocal buyers. Business success continually increased and in 1858 Williamconstructed his first factory in Concord ~ a one story wooden structure locatedon School Street. Here, William employed a half dozen apprentices and expandedhis product line to include all types of silverware. In 1860, the shop wasdestroyed in a fire among a row of buildings, being soon rebuilt.

In 1867, William relocated his business, constructing a largerfacility on School Street in the vicinity near his original factory. Thisbuilding was celebrated as the first brick structure in Concord. Continuallyoutgrown, the factory was enlarged several times, eventually extending businessoperation into the vacant space in an adjacent insurance building.

At age 20 in 1878, George F. Durgin joined the firm. Eventually, George become the superintendent and an equal partner with his father. Under its corporate name William B. Durgin & Son, George managed over one hundred and twenty artisans. In a large part, George is credited with production of the company\'s massive range of artistic and unique hollowware

During their earlier years, William and Elizabeth (Travers) hadmarried in Boston in 1854, and in the following year built their life longresidence on Rumford Street, in Concord. William served as a New Hampshirestate representative in 1894. Business being of great financial success allowedthe family much time and the means for extended travel throughout the UnitedStates and abroad. William and Elizabeth celebrated their golden weddinganniversary September 21, 1904 and in the same year, the family saw thecompletion of the great, new Durgin factory near beautiful White\'s Park.

Sadly, William B. Durgin diedon May 6, 1905 at the age 71, followed quickly by the death of his son GeorgeF. Durgin on May 26, 1905 at the age of 47; both suffering from long illnesses.That same year, theWilliam B. Durgin & Son, Co. was purchaseoutside the family byGorham Manufacturing Company, who continuedthe factory until 1931 when it was closed.

The shoe horn has a beautiful, wreath,wheat, torch, bow repousse pattern on the handle.

Heavy and solid it weighs over 108 grams.

About 8 3/4\" long x 2\" wide

The shoe horn is in overall very good condition. There are a few dings, and one manufacturer\'s split in the design (see photos), on the backside.

Does not appear to have been used as there\'s no wear on the torch (where the thumb would go).

No monogram.

Owned and operated by one man during the time this stamp was used as the company name and stamp was changed when George joined the firm in 1878.

Please ask if you have any questions

California buyers will be charged a 7.75% sales tax

Please pay within 24 hours after invoice is received

I do combine shipping by weight when possible

THANKS FOR LOOKING AND HAPPY SHOPPING...SHARON.