VTG INTERNATIONAL SILVER CO AMERICAN AIRLINES " FLAGSHIP " 6 " FORK
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:4028490 | Age: 1900-1940 |
| Type: Fork | Pattern: AA "FLAGSHIP" |
| Brand: International Silver |
VTG INTERNATIONAL SILVER CO AMERICAN AIRLINES "FLAGSHIP" FORK - 6 INCHES
American Airlines, originally American Air Lines, was formed in 1934 and by 1936 had added the brand new Douglas DC-3, which it called “Flagships”, to its fleet. At a time when flying was a luxury enjoyed by the privileged few, airlines went to great lengths to promote their service. In the case of the AA Flagship service, this included specially designed cutlery for their in-flight meals.
The han...dle of each piece represented the nose and an engine of a stylised, but unmistakable, DC-3. In the earliest version this was moulded in relief, but in later versions it was more simply impressed. The word “Flagship”, in a speedy-looking Art Deco typeface, was positioned just behind the cockpit.
The designer of the cutlery is unknown. The three pieces (knife, fork and spoon) were smaller than normal tableware, presumably to keep weight down, but were silver-plated. The knife had a stainless steel blade. Cutlery in this pattern is of interest to collectors of transport memorabilia, as well as to cutlery collectors.
In the category of silverware, one common marking you will see is International Silver Co. International is the company name, but whenever they use this marking, it’s not actually sterling silver. It’s silver plated. When they made sterling silver, or 92.5% pure silver, they marked it International Sterling. Sterling is a legally binding term. If they use the word sterling, it must be 92.5% pure silver, and not plated. An item marked silver, contrary to popular belief, does not mean pure or solid silver, it simply means that it contains some silver, and it doesn’t need to contain much.
American Airlines, originally American Air Lines, was formed in 1934 and by 1936 had added the brand new Douglas DC-3, which it called “Flagships”, to its fleet. At a time when flying was a luxury enjoyed by the privileged few, airlines went to great lengths to promote their service. In the case of the AA Flagship service, this included specially designed cutlery for their in-flight meals.
The han...dle of each piece represented the nose and an engine of a stylised, but unmistakable, DC-3. In the earliest version this was moulded in relief, but in later versions it was more simply impressed. The word “Flagship”, in a speedy-looking Art Deco typeface, was positioned just behind the cockpit.
The designer of the cutlery is unknown. The three pieces (knife, fork and spoon) were smaller than normal tableware, presumably to keep weight down, but were silver-plated. The knife had a stainless steel blade. Cutlery in this pattern is of interest to collectors of transport memorabilia, as well as to cutlery collectors.
In the category of silverware, one common marking you will see is International Silver Co. International is the company name, but whenever they use this marking, it’s not actually sterling silver. It’s silver plated. When they made sterling silver, or 92.5% pure silver, they marked it International Sterling. Sterling is a legally binding term. If they use the word sterling, it must be 92.5% pure silver, and not plated. An item marked silver, contrary to popular belief, does not mean pure or solid silver, it simply means that it contains some silver, and it doesn’t need to contain much.
