This image is from 1893.
The W.C. Edge Co.
The artist who made the photo had the full conseption of his subject, as anyone will see at a glance, as he turns the pages of Newark Illustrated, and stops for a moment to study the finished picture as the engraver has so nicely and so expressively made its transference to the plates used in printing it here. Few plates presented surpass this, which is indeed, an elegant representative figure of the original. In these buildings are arranged the plant of the jewelry manufacturing industry conducted by The W.C. Edge Co., of which Mr. William M. Clark is president. Mr. Charles Edge, vice-president, Mr. W. C. Edge, treasurer, and Mr. Walter Edge, secretary. While it is saying nothing in derogation of the hundreds of artists, inventors and mechanicians whose wonderful mastery of the mechanics' arts, it is due that more than a passing notice should be given in this article to Mr. William C. Edge, who has won not only a lasting fame for himself, but has done so much, and perhaps more in the last decade toward the upbuilding of Newark's industrial greatness than manv men, who are more pretentious, engaged in like pursuits. Not unlike the great majority of our great inventors, mechanics and artists, it hasn't been all smooth sailing with the subject in hand. The ups and downs in his life have not been a few. In smoky London where he was born, he learned the jewelry trade with his father, and later was employed by several large jewelry firms in that great leading city of the old world's industries. In 1865 Mr. Edge came to America, where better opportunities offered for the pursuit of his calling. He first obtained employment of Chatelin & Spence, of New York, where he introduced what is now called satin finish. After a short period he came to Newark and entered the employ of Durand & Co., where he remained for several years, becoming acquainted with the new world methods. After this he started business for himself and on his own account supplying the large New York dealers. This had not been going on long when, through the machinations of a gentleman who had worked himself into Mr. Edge's good graces, becoming his partner, proving false, and finally compelling him to return to the bench. After working at the establishment of Miller Bros., where he introduced the method of turning over the edge of pins ear-rings, etc., now so common in collar buttons, he commenced business again, and later joined hands with Smiley & Dorrance. This firm afterward became known as W.C. Edge & Sons, but lately was incorporated under the New Jersey State laws as The W.C. Edge Company. This company is known and patronized throughout the United States as well as abroad, and are manufacturing goods under the protection of the patented inventions of W.C. Edge, but now the company's property. Woven wire fabrics of 14 carats fine, are a principal feature of their industry-. They also show a handsome line of other work in pure gold. This wire is also used in various weaves for saddlery hardware, upholstery work, fancy ornaments, dog collars, etc., etc. The latest inventions are "Edge's Excelsior Rein Holder," and patent "Aluminum Horse Shoe," which are a success. Being one of those undaunted spirits who never say fail amid the most trying ordeals, he kept working, and while others of his associates were spending their time where pleasure rules the hour, he was engaged in the more profitable employment of delving deep after hidden mysteries and unravelling the skein of the mysterious, around which are gathered so much of that undiscovered in the realm of science and art. Not so much was the searching of his busy mind engaged in the work of discovering new principles, but in the work of applying old ones in new ways.
Source: Newark, N.J. Illustrated - 1893
Trev.
