Sheets Rockford 1875/ What is 1875?

hi everybody! i found a beautiful Sheets Rockford embossed handled tray - the silver (plating) seems to be very high quality? and the tray is quite heavy. almost looks like sterling. anyhow, these are the marks. what does the 1875 mean? thanks! bobbie
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Hi there Bobbie. The company was founded in 1873 as Racine Silver Plate Co. in Racine, Wisc. The plant burned in 1882 and was relocated to Rockford, Ill. as the Rockford Silver Plate Co. In 1925 Raymond Sheets bought the company and changed the name to Sheets-Rockford Silver Plate Co. At some point some of the Rogers brothers bought the company and I suspect the “1875” is a Rogers addition similar to their “1847” on plated flatware, i.e. to make new stuff seem old…the company operated until the mid-50s.

Regards,

Uncle Vic