U.S.A. / New York / New York:

[1] : G.M.T. & Bro., later G.M.T. Co. Inc. (???? until ????)

After opening my site in 2004 I soon ran into the first mark that really had me stumped, it was found on a cannister set purchased in the late 1930's to early 1940's and it was simply marked with a golden 'G.M.T. Co. INC. THURINGIA' and had golden 'daisy' in the center. The first thing that got me was that it looked a little like a mark used by Stouffer which had its own decorating works and was involved in the import/export business. Compared with the 'GMT' mark it showed a very similar typeface, was the same size and had a 'floral' note in the middle. Both can be seen together in the marks section below.

The second thing about this mark was more a legal matter because according to German laws, the use of foreign company forms in names was prohibited (until the turn of the 21st century) meaning that for example foreign company name additions like 'Incorporated (inc.)' or 'Limited (ltd.)' were not allowed. So the name additions 'Inc.' or 'Bro.' clearly indicated a foreign company and the additions 'Thuringia' or 'Germany' only stated where the product was originally made so everything pointed into the direction of 'G.M.T.' not being a manufacturer but rather some kind of non-German import business and/or shipping company.

Some research followed and I found an otherwise unmarked German oil cruet with 'Blue Onion' decoration that was dated early 1900's to 1920's and carried a 'G.M.T. Co. Inc. Germany 4511-1' stamp on the bottom. It took some time until I finally found an egg-coddler that showed the 'G.M.T. Co. Inc.' mark together with the well-known impressed 'RMR' mark of 'Max Roesler Rodach'. This item was the first that carried an original manufacturer mark and was further proof that 'GMT' was an importer. That also had me thinking about the 'GMT' company size and renown, because if 'GMT' had not just simply add-marked his items after buying them, they would have had a real contract and Roesler was known to be picky, so they must have been well known at that time or able to offer good references.

The next item reported was a knife and fork with a mark on the knife showing 'G.M.T. Austria', so they also imported metalware or at least cutlery. That item was soon followed by a set of metal cookie cutters made in Czechoslovakia by 'G.M.T. Co. Inc.' and then Diane Vaulner pointed me into the direction of a cast iron 'G.M.T. CO. INC.' grater (picture included below). All together that was enough proof that the company was active in various areas of interest and countries: no doubt now, 'GMT' was an import company.

Regardless of the information received the location or home town remained unknown and also I wondered only one 'manufacturer-marked' item so far had been found. This changed in February 2007 when I received two hints at once when an eBay user presented me with some pictures showing a mark from the 'Villeroy & Boch' factory in Septfontaines (Luxemburg) together with an impressed GMT mark. As the mark was impressed (which is only possible during manufacturing) it was proof that a well-known manufacturer made business with GMT directly. But the second hint was the greatest find up until now as the full mark showed 'GMT & Bro., N.Y' and finally gave the mysterious company a home town: New York.

The last additions to this page came from Janice Schiltz who in June 2009 submitted info on a tea strainer with a nicely decorated handle that showed 'GMT & Co.Inc., England'. Then Cristine of Ashby Antiques (July 2009) sent me a few pics of a water-powered metal & porcelain hot server with stamped oval mark shown below in the marks section. Finally Candy Warren in July 2009 informed me that she owns a springerle rolling pin that has 'G.M.T. CO. INC.' above 'N.Y.' imprinted into the wood by the handle. Juanita Lewen in October 2009 then provided pictures of a second grater type marked 'G.M.T Co. Germany' and carrying the brand name 'SUPERIOR', another item from around 1920. And finally also in October Carol N. provided information on what appears to be a baby spoon with the stamped mark 'G.M.T. Co. INC. FRANCE'.

Mark Comments:

The marks are sorted starting with the 'Bro.' version as it seems logical that somebody would start off with (his) brothers and later restructure into an incorporated business. As far as I can see, the molds and designs back up this theory as the 'Inc.' marked items seem newer. I would never have dreamed that we could say so much about these marks and as far as I know, my site is the only one so far that even bothered to collect them. Perhaps we can finally solve the mystery some day ...

Marks

Image 1-01

Just 'G.M.T. CO.' over 'GERMANY' and 'DEC. 3243'.
(Picture by millcovetreasures)

Image 1-02

Very basic 'G.M.T. & BRO. GERMANY' without additional mold or item number.

Image 1-03

Very basic 'G.M.T. & BRO. GERMANY' with hand written addition '126'.
(Picture by Carolyn B.)

Image 1-04

'G.M.Th. & BRO. GERMANY'. Here with hand written addition '2881', item was a small juicer.
(Picture by Karen Bunting)

Image 1-05

'G.M.Th. & BRO. GERMANY'. The hand written mold or item number reads as '2884'. Is that 'Th.' for 'Thomas' or 'Thompson' ?

Image 1-06

'G.M.T. & BRO. GERMANY' with hand written addition '3045/2.'.
(Picture by Mike McDaniel)

Image 1-07

'G.M.T. & BRO. GERMANY' with hand written number addition '3819/2.'.

Image 1-08

For comparison here's a 'G.M.T. CO. GERMANY.' version.

Image 1-09

This is one of the bowls from the 'Villeroy & Boch' set, they used this mark before 1874 and after 1909.

Image 1-10

'Villeroy & Boch' mark used between 1874 and 1909, here bowl with 'G.M.T. & BRO. N.Y.'.

Image 1-11

'G.M.T. & BRO. GERMANY', with stamped mold or item number addition '3981/1'.
(Picture by Fran Kerbs)

Image 1-12

'G.M.T. & BRO. GERMANY', add-stamped mold or item number '3984'.
(Picture by Mike McDaniel)

Image 1-13

'G.M.T. & BRO. GERMANY', with additionally stamped mold or item number '3985'.
(Picture by Mike McDaniel)

Image 1-14

'G.M.T. & BRO. GERMANY', with handwritten mold or item number '4008'.
(Picture by Jean Bohacket)

Image 1-15

'G.M.T. & BRO. GERMANY', number '2851' over additional '2' next to Annaburg manufacturer mark and '397 DELFT'.

Image 1-16

'G.M.T. & BRO. GERMANY', also '3985' (with additional '5' underneath) as seen before but this time in round form.

Image 1-17

'G.M.T. & BRO. GERMANY', another '3985' (with additional '3' underneath).
(Picture by Mike Lockwood)

Image 1-18

Round version with 'G.M.T. & BRO. GERMANY' and mold or item number '3986'.

Image 1-19

'G.M.T. & BRO. GERMANY', '3989' with additional '6' underneath.
(Picture by Nancy Schlesinger)

Image 1-20

'G.M.T. & BRO. GERMANY', '3990' with additional '1' underneath.
(Picture by Marge Hols)

Image 1-21

Round version with 'G.M.T. & BRO. GERMANY' and mold or item number '3998', note same number on 'Inc.' marked item.

Image 1-22

Round version with 'G.M.T. & BRO. GERMANY' and mold or item number '4022'.
(Picture by Mike McDaniel)

Image 1-23

Round version with 'G.M.T. & BRO. GERMANY' and mold or item number '8809'.

Image 1-24

Round version with 'G.M.T. Co., INC. GERMANY' and mold or item number '1017/1', here with the addition 'DEKOR 579' on the left.
(Picture by Kellie Elmore)

Image 1-25

Round version with 'G.M.T. Co., INC. GERMANY' and mold or item number '3998', same item found marked with 'Bro.' before.

Image 1-26

Round version with 'G.M.T. Co., INC. GERMANY' and mold or item number '4060'.
(Picture by Fran Kerbs)

Image 1-27

First encounter: 'G.M.T. Co. INC. THURINGIA' with the stamped addition '5480'.

Image 1-28

Mark used by Stouffer, not related as far as I know but interesting because of the central 'floral note' also found in the previous GMT mark.

Image 1-29

Found on a beer stein: impressed 'G.M.T. CO. GERMANY'.
(Picture by The Antique Hospital)

Image 1-30

Found on a metal and porcelain hot server: 'G.M.T. & BRO. GERMANY'.
(Picture by Cristine
c/o Ashby Antiques)

Image 1-31

Oval version showing 'G.M.T. Co., INC. GERMANY', the first of this type I ever saw.
(Picture by Fran Kerbs)

Image 1-32

The cast-iron grater, marked 'G.M.T. Co. INC.'.
(Picture by Diane Vaulner)

Image 1-33

Found on a metal item: 'G.M.T. Co. INC. ENGLAND' with 'PATENT No. 2179/12'.
(Picture by Fran Kerbs)

Image 1-34

Found on a pepper grinder: 'G.M.T. CO.' and 'U.S.A.'.
(Picture by Jeff Hudson)