O. R. & N. Co. Steamship "Columbia" Silverplate Tong (03/20/2011)...

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O. R. & N. Co. Steamship "Columbia" Silverplate Tongs

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O. R. & N. Co. Steamship "Columbia" Silverplate Tongs

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Sold Date: 03/20/2011
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Transportation and Vehicles

Oregon Railway and Navigation Company Steamship "Columbia" Silverplate Tongs

From my Collection, these tongs would have been used on board with other silver, Glass and china wear on the ship. O. R. & N. Co. Steamship "Columbia". The Silverplate Tongs are 7 inches long. No bends... Great turn of the century design, back marks indicate circa 1900 Note: The Meriden Britina Co. was formed in 1852 by several silversmiths it is said in order to increase quantity production in the USA. In 1862 the “1847 Rogers Bros. Co.” merged with them and in 1898 the business turned into the International Silver Co.

These tongs were purched with some other steamship silver
and china from that time period and location.

NOTE: 1880 Steamship "Columbia" shows off incandescent lighting in Portland.
"The S.S. Columbia sailed from New York in the early part of May, 1880, with a cargo of thirteen locomotives, two hundred cars and other railroad supplies. As there was no Panama canal in those days the good ship had to round Cape Horn. She arrived at Portland, Oregon, on July 26. Oregon Railway and Navigation Company president Henry Villard attended the New Year's Eve demonstration and became an instant Edison enthusiast. (He later became president of Edison General Electric Company.) Villard boldly decided to purchase an Edison lighting system for a new steamship, the S. S. Columbia , then under construction for his company. Not everyone believed that installing the new technology on the ship was prudent. Edison himself apparently showed some reluctance, wanting to concentrate on his idea of centrally generated power and not "isolated" power plants. Villard persisted however, and Edison came to view the job as an opportunity for promoting the new system. The Columbia installation became the first commercial order for Edison's light bulb. The ship was launched in February 1880 and sailed to New York where the electrical equipment was installed. In May the ship took on cargo and sailed for Portland, Oregon, a trip of about 10 weeks around South America. The installation proved both technically and promotionally successful: the equipment functioned properly and the press reported the story. Scientific American published an extensive article about the system.
Size : This is about 7 inches long.
Backmarks : Back marks "Star Shape" "Hart Shape" ROGERS SMITH CO. A1 These are Circa 1900 Note: The Meriden Britina Co. was formed in 1852 by several silversmiths it is said in order to increase quantity production in the USA. In 1862 the “1847 Rogers Bros. Co.” merged with them and in 1898 the business turned into the International Silver Co.
C ondition : The silverplate is very nice and bright. With use marks. There are no bends.
NOTE: I may have other auctions going on with more Historic, Restauarnt, Railroad, Steamship, Hotel, Airline, or Advertising china or silverplate. Please take a look!
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