Samuel Kirk & Son

Founded by Samuel Kirk with his partner John Smith in 1815, Samuel Kirk & Son, later Sons, became America's preeminent silversmith. Its early decades were characterized by hand crafted silver, most notably using the repousse technique. After Kirk's death in 1872, the company modernized by using dies to create the effect. Business continue to prosper into the 20th century when the company first began advertising in 1911.

The first century of operation was generally a family affair and quite prosperous. Financial and mismanagement and the turbulent economy of the 1970s forced the company into a merger with The Steiff Company. Thus ended the autonomous existence of the great silver maker.