Defiance to Wear: Holmes & Edwards Super Plate-Inlaid Spoon Advertisement
Ephemera, commercial print, vintage magazine advertisement on paper • In-house graphic artists for International Silver Co., Holmes & Edwards division
Style & Movement
Golden Age of Illustration / Art Deco commercial graphic design
Medium & Technique
Color lithography/offset printing on mass-produced paper
Creation Period
Circa 1928-1930 (based on the referenced 'Romance' pattern and company branding)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 10 x 13 inches (standard magazine page size), portrait orientation
Subject Description
A metaphorical composition featuring a silver spoon against a rugged ocean cliffside being battered by waves. The narrative compares the durability of the 'Super Plate-Inlaid' silverware to a coastline resisting erosion. Decorative typography and diagrams explain the silver inlay process.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; showing typical signs of aging for paper ephemera of this period
Estimated Market Value
$25 - $50 USD
Auction Estimate
$15 - $40 USD
Provenance History
Originally excised from a period periodical like 'Ladies' Home Journal' or 'Saturday Evening Post'; currently in a modern private collection
Art Historical Significance
Representational of early 20th-century consumerism and the shift toward scientific marketing. It reflects the Art Deco era's fixation on durability and progress through manufacturing techniques like 'inlaying'.
Notable Features
Includes specific diagrams of the 'solid silver' blocks inlaid at wear points (back of bowl and handle), and mentions the 'Romance' pattern set of six for $3.75.
Condition Issues
Visible yellowing of the paper (toning), minor handling creases, and slight edge wear from removal from its original binding. The modern black frame suggests it has been recently stabilized.
Conservation Recommendations
Recommend replacing current backing glass/board with acid-free matting and UV-protective glass to prevent further yellowing and light damage.