Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-11-21
sclenee ss a Workman.

Under this caption we find in the Daven-
por, (IOwA) Democrat the following we'll
written article giving some valuable infor-
mstion regarding the manufacture of the
handsome silver ware that may be seen in
the show cases and windows Of our leading
VII olesale and retail jewellers, in which
there is reference to the firm Of Reed Il
Barton Of Taunton Mass.--one ofihe lArges,
and Oldest manufacturing firms of this line
Of goods 10 the United States, who num-
Der among their customers in this city
the jewelry establishment of Epstein Bros.
The Democrat says:-
A triaing accident, o freak of nature,
which would be passed by unnoticed or
merely CRAFTY momentsry curiosity with
the unthinking crowd, may TO the philos-
opher reveal . secret ss important as that
eluoidsted BY Newton, from the simple
falling of an apple. II is rather the rule
than the exception that great results arise
from simple causes. The discovery that 9
copper coin, i'm nerssd in . solution Of blue
vitriol, became iacrusted With 9 6us film OF
new metal, was the origin OF Q process
TO the world than any other-that Of electro
plating. The snOients had q method of
covering plane surfaces with thin plates Of
silver bat it was imperfect, no positive
adhesion being obtained, and entirely use
less for moulded forms or elaborate orna-
msntAtion, but il was not until 1887 that
the present method Of chemically develop
ing q coal Of precious metal upon copper
or other base WAS discovered. Even st that
time 9 large firm devoted to the manufac-
turs Of 3citaunis metal and plated goods
was hourishing in this country. We Alude
to the works Of Reed 4 Barton, of Taunton,
Mass, which had been established in 1924,
and were at that period making the old
style OF metal and plated goods. Re-
cognizing ct once the wonderful
advance made by tls new science
OF electro mesAliurgy, the firm of
Reed 4 Barton devoted ell their energies TO
perfect the art by the researches of practical
msn, and applied it extensively 10 minister
in . great variety of ways to the prod uotion
Of articles useful TO man. The great dlsad
vsa;Ages of ths old methods were o5viAted
by ths eleosro.plA.ing process, for however
heavily or carefully copper was silver gilt by
ths Rucient process, perfect metallic union
could nos be established. aud wear revealed
the bsssr m stAl at the curves, edges and on
the higa relief OF ths ornAmentAtion. BY
the Old msthod, articles were coated with
silver By dissoiving that metal in diluted
nitric a3id, bis in thls manner there was no
perfect adhesion formed, whereas by the
electro method now employed by this com
pAny, the coAting OF silver is iuse pArably
united IN one homogeneous mas with the
base, and thus surface is given rs imper-
ishable as the article itself. The plated
articles manufactured by Reed d Barton,
however elaborate they may be, angular,
highly relieved, or chased, are so thorough HI y
coated with the precious solution By the
never failing power of tbs gAlvanic
battery, that wear aad cleaning merely
enhAucs the bri!liAnoy and give shem,
if possible, Q nearer identity with articles
of solid plate, while the variety oi
pattern, beauty of detail and luxurious
ness Of enrichmsnt could never be accom-
pished By the hand Of art or the skin OF
the burnisher 10 the precious metals them
selves. Thoroughly understanding how
much the hardness and durability of the
coating depends upon the power Of the bat
Iery, aud also how accurately the thickness,
Of the film is measured, By the time allow
cd for its deposition, those two conditions
are carefully studied and that happy meal
established which gives 20 their plated goods
such Q vast superiority. Their works ar
the m ost extensive in the States, covering
an area Of six acres, Gud employing owe
400 mau and women. So careful are the
of thu perfection of their wares that tn
machinery for producing them are made o.
the premises under their own super1nteI
denos, and the fame Of the goods they pro
duce has given them worldwide reputs
ton. Wherever excellence in table orns
ments aud metal equipages is understood
there will be found the producs of tn
house of Reed 4 Barton, of Taunton, Ma
sAchusetts.
We owe thankful Acknowledgements I
Messrs. Fish aud Braybrooke, two leadin
partners Of the firm, for much int ,restin
and valuable inform alton On the science {
el octro- metAllurgy, while taking a ramb
through their monster establishment.
Mr.. John Reed, the senior member of Il
firm, belongs to one of the Oldest famili
in New England family that has its q
nual reunions sometime il August, we b
Iieve, and were il not that We live about t'
RbuoIablOun wv ANt EohOsof WO oASuAA eAei
blood relationship Mr.. Fisk, the ne
member Of the firm, is one Of those qui'
careful business men and courteous gent
men, whom to meet ia to remember wi
pleasure. He has been connected with 4
firm for long time, and much Of the 81
cess, and large increasing business Of
establishment is due to his careful and s,
temstio business nsnagement. His fu'
cut features and calm, cool exterior as
sorts out his orders, Arranges the volum
Gus correspondence of the firm and gil
his orders to clerks and superinteudents y
come and 60 from his desk, betoken mi
capable Of grAsping any financial probl
and solving it successfully. Mr. Bray brOO
the other member of this firm. il g relat
Of Steve Bray brooke, Of tho house Of Orig
Watson & Day, of Davenport, who thou
younger than his partners, has no equal
AgreeAbly entertaining the numerous c
toners Of the house. Such wAs our exp
ence, and such will be the experieuc CO
any OF our dealers who may favor Ii
with call or with an order for the sUI
goods they manufacture. We have no
tAuon in endorsing ihis firm TO the ful
extent, or in saying their goods cannot
excelled by those Of any other estSbl
ment in this country.
FOB, RENT.