Source: Practical American Cookery and Domestic Economy, E. Hall, 1856.

Alas, modern cookbooks lack a certain something when it comes to poison warnings…

Why is it called German silver? In the late 1700s, German metalworks were the first Europeans who were able to copy the technique carried over from China. In the early 1800s, Germany actually held a competition to perfect the process.

German silver, or nickle silver, today is made out of copper, nickle, and zinc. But for those of you who collect antique silverware, you have been duly warned!