Expert: Michelle Lieberman - 8/30/2009

Question
I was told that for a very short period First love was made in Sterling it is rare but it was done due to the war I have some pieces maked Sterling can you help me since differnt people have a different opion on this...........Thanks

Answer
Hello Linda.  Very interesting.  I have never heard of First Love having been made in sterling.

I wanted an opportunity to go through a book I have to see if it could glean any information.  It's called "An American Heritage, A Book About the International Silver Company."  It says that during WWII, "the manufacture of silverplate of all kinds was discontinued on April 15, 1942, although a very small amount of sterling was made throughout the war."  It does not say what was produced in sterling.  International at this time pretty much re-tooled their entire factory over to making wartime products for the military.  Then it goes on to say that once the war was over, there was still a metal shortage and that only three patterns of flatware were made in silverplate, First Love being one of them.

So I don't have a yes or no answer, but hopefully you have more information than you had before.

Regards,
Michelle