Views of American Silversmith's and Jeweller's Premises

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An image of the works of R. Wallace & Sons Mfg.Co. situated at Wallingford, Connecticut:



This image is from 1893.

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The new premises of Ryrie Brothers, situated on the North-West corner of Yonge and Adelaide Streets, Toronto:





These images are from 1890.


We present to our readers on this page two engravings of the new retail jewelry store of Messrs. Ryrie Bros, of this city, which is situated on the North-West corner of Yonge and Adelaide Streets, almost directly across from their old stand.

The new premises of the Ryrie Bros, is such a radical departure in the way of fitting up jewelry Stores, that we think it would repay every one of our readers to make it a visit and take in the new ideas which this enterprising firm have introduced into it.

The store proper, is well lighted on two sides by large plate glass and stained glass windows ; its high ceiling is domed from all sides, which has the effect of making it look even higher than it really is, while at the same time the airy effect is heightened by the artistic relief decorations which the artist has employed in the frescos. The entire northern side of the store, which is the one furthest from the windows, is fitted up with elegant wall cases in cherry and plate glass, in which are kept a choice assortment of new designs in silverware and other articles of virtue. A row of cherry tables surmounted by cherry and plate glass counter cases run parallel with the southern wall, behind which area series of terraced stands about the same height, which carry a very large assortment of line French marble clocks and bronze ornaments of all kinds. Scattered through the body of the store may be found a very choice collection of piano lamps, fancy onyx tables, pedestals holding statuary, &c. and these with the pretty chairs and sofas scattered around with studied disorder give the room a very cozy and homelike appearance, especially to ladies and others who desire a place to rest themselves as well as to shop in.

The chandeliers, which are of the newest design, are a combination of gas and electricity, and either or both kinds of light can be turned on at the will of the proprietors. The floor is covered with a handsome oilcloth of a pattern to imitate inlaid mosaic work as closely as possible, and is both pretty and effective. The stained glass from the Studio of Elliott & Son of this city, is chaste in design and rich with glowing colours which are so tastefully harmonized as to afford a restful variety to the eye as well as to shed a soft and subdued light over the wares which adds considerably to the beauty and effectiveness of the display.

The workshop at the rear is cut off from the main shop by fancy double glass doors, and is large enough to accommodate the half dozen workmen which this firm are now forced to employ in order to keep pace with their repair work. A patent carrier arrangement conveys work from the front store into the workshop at the rear, and is quite a labor saving as well as novel innovation in a jewelry store.

The private office of the proprietors is at the left of the front of the shop as you enter the door, and is simply an artistic screen of cherry and bevelled plate glass. From this vantage ground the principals can not only see every customer who enters the store, but have the whole of the premises under their immediate supervision. The front of the store is gorgeous with polished' brass signs and railings, and plate glass windows which shine as brightly as though dust and mud were things totally unknown in our city. Taking it all in all the new store of the Messrs. Ryrie Bros is one of the prettiest we have seen anywhere, either in the United States or Canada, and what makes it all the more commendable, is that this effect has been produced more by the exercise of artistic taste, than the expenditure of a large amount of money. This at least was the verdict of the vast crowd that singed in and out of their premises from nine o'clock on Saturday morning until nine o'clock the same night, for their opening was a reception that any firm should well be proud of, as it spoke volumes for the way in which they were regarded by the general public.

The Ryrie Bros. thoroughly deserve their success, for they have achieved it not by any lucky stroke of fortune, but by being hard and honest workers, and selling reliable goods Strictly upon their merits. These characteristics combined with ability of no common order, have slowly but surely brought them nearer the front, until today they can fairly claim to have won heir way into the very foremost rank of retail jewelers in Canada.

Nearly eleven years ago the senior partner, Mr. Jas. Ryrie purchased the old business of Mr. John Segsworth who left it to go into the wholesale trade. Mr. Ryrie went into Mr. Segsworth's employ as an apprentice in 1870, and gradually rose step by step until he acquired the business for himself. The way in which the place was improved in appearance and the character of the stock brought up to a higher level to suit the requirements of an ever increasing trade, are now reminiscences to the senior member of the firm, but all the same he had very serious, and what sometimes looked insurmountable obstacles to contend against in his upward struggle. That e overcame them is to his credit, but that in doing so he sacrificed neither friendship nor principle, makes his achievement all the more commendable. Today Mr. James Ryrie is not only regarded by the public as a successful merchant, but by his rivals in the trade he is looked upon as one of the most honorable men in their line of business. For the past four years he has acted as Secretary-Treasurer of the Jewelers Security Alliance of Canada, and it is needless to say that he has performed the duties of the office to the complete satisfaction of the membership of that organization.

Some years ago, finding that the business was outgrowing his personal supervision, he took into partnership his brother, Mr. Harry Ryrie, who had learned the watchmaking under his tuition. The new blood at that time infused into the firm has had no small share in its subsequent success, for " Harry,'' as he is commonly known, is one of the most popular young men in the city, and under a good looking and smiling countenance, hides one of the brightest intellects of any man in the Canadian jewelry trade.

The Ryrie Bros, make a good team; they always pull harmoniously together, and if their past achievements are any index of their future, they have a long and successful career before them. The Trader wishes them a long and successful occupancy of their new and beautiful premises.

Source: The Trader & Canadian Jeweller - April 1890

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The factories of the R.F. Simmons Company located at Attleboro, Massachusetts:



This image is from 1919.

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The Joseph Fahys gold and silver watchcase factory at Carlstadt, New Jersey:



This image is from 1870.

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The manufactory of Warren, Spadone & Co., located on the corner of Railroad Avenue and Barrow Street, New Jersey:



This image is from 1870.

This was the business of Dorman T. Warren and Amedee Spadone. It was formerly styled 'Warren & Spadone', and the firm was known to have manufactured watch cases that were marked 'Warranted W&S Coin Silver'.

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Two images of the premises of the Gorham Mfg.Co.:



New York City



Canal, Steeple, and North Main Streets, Providence


These images are from 1886.

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An image of The Gorham Company's new erecting shop:



This image is from 1910.

GORHAM MANUFACTURING COMPANY’S NEW ERECTING SHOP
The building shown in cut is the new erecting shop just completed by the Gorham Manufacturing Company, silver and goldsmiths, of Providence R.I.. The building will be used for the erecting and assembling of the large bronzes, figures, etc., that the Gotham Company are continualy turning out.
The building proper is 120 ft. 6 ins. x 78 ft., with link, 40 ft. x 57 ft. connecting the main building, also a small room 29 x 11 adjoining this link for toilet room. The shed and connecting link has a head room of 16 ft. and 25 ft. in the clear story. The framing of the building is of steel with trusses to support the clear story roof, resting on H-shaped columns, and the shed roof with steel I-beams from these columns to the brick walls.

Source: The Metal Industry - December 1910

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The manufactory of the North American Watch Company located at Mansfield, Ohio:



This image is from 1921.

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The factories of the Ottawa Silver Company at Ottawa, Illinois:



This image is from 1900.

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An image of the premises of the manufacturing jewelers and diamond importers, E.V. Roddin & Co. at 151, State Street, Chicago:



This image is from 1887.

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An image of the premises of the Elgin National Watch Company at Elgin, Illinois:



This image is from 1887.

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An image of the premises of the New York Watch Company at Springfield, Massachusetts:



This image is from 1870 and probably drawn just prior to the factory being destroyed by fire on the 27th April of that year.

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An image of the Ætna Works of Landers, Frary & Clark located at New Britain, Connecticut:



This image is from 1870.

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An image of the workshop of the gold pen manufacturers, D.F. Foley & Co. at Bank and Hudson Streets, New York:



This image is from 1888.

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An image of the premises of the manufacturing jewelers, Miller Brothers (James W. Miller and Isaac M. Miller), situated at 47-49-51, Franklin Street, Newark, New Jersey:



This image is from 1870.

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An image of the interior of the Sterling Electroplating Company, located at 1515-1523, Carrol Avenue, Chicago:



This image is from 1921.


In the Middle West can be found many splendid electroplating departments, connected with the great industrial plants, but as a rule the job plating plants are a conglomeration. The work to be finished is so varied that it is not possible to specialize in any one line.

The Sterling Electroplating Company of Chicago made an innovation when they installed the splendid plating plant at 1517-23 Carrol avenue, and specialized in the various lines to meet the demand of metal goods manufacturers who do not maintain their own plating departments. They realized that many metal goods manufacturers run their plating rooms at a loss, either because they do not have sufficient to do to keep their plating departments in constant operation, or purchasing plating materials upon a small scale proves a costly proposition.

In many instances they preferred to have their plating done outside, but were unable to find a jobbing shop large enough to do all their work and give them service at a price consistent with the selling price of their goods.

In the large modern plant of the Sterling Electroplating Company, they can find all these advantages at their disposal with a polishing department covering a floor space of 5,000 square feet, with lathe capacity for 36 polishers, splendidly lighted, with sanitary conditions, and a plating department splendidly equipped. Five thousand gallons of nickel solution are maintained in constant operation for all classes of metal goods. The nickel plating of die castings is one of their greatest specialties. A number of special tanks, with mechanical agitators, are maintained for this class of work.

Gold, silver, brass and copper plating are also done upon an extensive scale.

Source: The Metal Industry - May 1921

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Some images of the new factory of Tiffany & Co. situated at Forest Hill, New Jersey. This factory replaced the old Prince Street factory in 1897.

The below images were taken in 1897 are reflect the emphasises on the use of electric power in the new factory.

















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An image of the premises of the gold and silver refiners, assayers and smelters, John Austin & Son, located at 74-76, Clifford Street, Providence, R.I.:



This image is from 1889.

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An image of the premises of the gold and silver refiners, Horace Remington & Son, located at 37, Potter Street, Providence, R.I.:



This image is from 1889.

See: viewtopic.php?f=38&t=32952&p=168493#p168493

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An image of the premises of T.C. Tanke Inc. located at 555, Main Street, Buffalo, New York:



This image is from 1922.

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