The old wilmington cup
A Century Of Craftsmanship, Modern Tools & Techniques
Have you heard of the Old Wilmington Cup? It is a unique and distinctive piece of history crafted by the skilled hands of Thomas W. Brown, a renowned North Carolina silversmith. Made of lead-free pewter and exclusively available at Kingoff's Jewelers, this cup is a must-have for collectors and lovers of fine craftsmanship.
Wilmington as a Center of Commerce
In Colonial times Wilmington, NC was the largest city in North Carolina and a thriving center of commerce and industry, such as it was in those early days. Few banks existed and people often converted their coins into usable items that could be identified if stolen. They required the services of qualified metal craftsmen.
Here, on the banks of the Cape Fear River, no less than eighteen silversmiths have been documented by historians as having practiced their craft.
Some worked alone, others employed apprentices in the European guild tradition who later opened their own shops. It was not a profession for one in a hurry for every article was handmade to exacting standards.
The Origins of The Old Wilmington Cup
Thomas W. Brown, a North Carolina Native, served his apprenticeship in New York City with Louis Fellows and returned to Wilmington in 1823 to open his own shop at 37 Market Street. He advertised that he made “Jewelry, silverware, table and pocket cutlery, pistols, fancy articles, etc.” and that he repaired watches and jewelry “With neatness and dispatch.” Brown designed and made the Old Wilmington Cup.
The Birth of T.W. Brown and Sons
A young Wilmingtonian lad, William Anderson, apprenticed himself to Brown as a silversmith and they became partners in 1851. Upon the death of Brown, Anderson becomes the sole owner. When Anderson died in 1872, the business was known as T. W. Brown and Sons and was run by Thomas’ son L. S. F. Brown, and stepson E. F. Story.
The Original Old Wilmington Cup
While there are several cups similar in style to the Old Wilmington Cup, it is distinctive in that the diameter is larger in relation to the height. Only Brown would be able to explain why we did this and time has sealed his lips. Whatever his reason, he has left us with a unique design.
Care for Your Old Wilmington Cup
Pewter is one of the oldest alloys to be crafted by the ancient Chinese and Greeks even before the Romans. Lead was used in the composition which made it dull and deadly. In Colonial times the British eliminated the lead making it safe and far more lustrous. The same (lead-free) metal formula is used in our cups. Your Old Wilmington Cup will rarely need polishing. Warm water, soap, and rubbing with a soft cloth are all that are necessary. If needed pewter polish may be used.
Rebirth of the Old Wilmington Cup
William and Janice Kingoff re-introduced the Old Wilmington Cup to modern-day Wilmingtonians in the early 1980s.
The Old Wilmington Cup can be found exclusively at Kingoff’s Jewelers and costs only $58.00