Silversmiths to the Nation: Thomas Fletcher and Sidney Gardiner, 1808-1842 presents the first in-depth study of the celebrated silversmiths and their magnificent work. The firm these men established in Boston (1808-11) and Philadelphia (1811-42) revolutionised the significance of silver in America as a medium of public appreciation and introduced a new era in silver production. The grand presentation pieces Fletcher & Gardiner created for the heroes of the War of 1812 are without equal. These objects have no American precedent in their scale, patriotic imagery, and fabrication. The everyday household and personal silver the firm produced in abundance as well - from teapots to jewellery - spoke to the needs of an upwardly mobile class in the early 1800s. Indeed, the Fletcher & Gardiner manufactory was the Tiffany of its day. Some 100 works from the firm have been located and are included in this lavishly illustrated volume. Many are from private collections and are published for the first time. A number of associated paintings and prints, in addition to little-known Fletcher & Gardiner working drawings from the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, help broaden the scope of the presentation and set the work in context. An indispensable addition to the book is the extensive appendix that presents a pictorial record of all the maker's marks used by the firm and its associates. Silversmiths to the Nation, a handsome volume that weaves a story of the skill and artistry of these talented partners, is an essential reference for collectors, curators, and silver enthusiasts alike. 200 colour & 100 b/w photos