The Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade

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THE SNIPPET

In this topic we hope to bring you a snippet of information every day, be it mundane or sensational (but hopefully of some interest), that appeared in a newspaper, journal, or magazine, regarding the precious metal/jewellery trade. In time, it will hopefully build into a record of historical events, perhaps less of that regarded as major news at the time, but more of the day to day life in the trade.

The topic is, of course, open to all that would like to contribute information. Please be sure to include the name and date of the publication. The information needs to be in a typed format, rather than an image, so that the search facility can locate it.

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UNGER BROTHERS

Newark, NJ

Newark, N.J., Nov.20. - There was a panic in the jewelery and silversmith establishment of Unger Bros., in this city, today, when a reservoir on the top of the building burst, and the water poured down upon the occupants of the place. A portion of the roof was crushed in, and through the opening water poured into the building and flooded every floor. There were 200 employees at work when the break occured. They became panic stricken and rushed for the exits. All were thoroughly drenched, but no one was injured. The loss has not yet been estimated, but will be heavy.

Source: The Lethbridge News - 29th November 1900

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ALPHONSE LA PAGLIA

Meriden, Connecticut

Noted Silversmith Buried at Sunnyside

Alphonse La Paglia, known in many parts of the world as a leading silversmith, died November 19 in Meriden, Connecticut, and was buried on Monday at 11 a.m., services conducted at the grave by the Rev. Mr. Toadvine of Harrisburg.

A silver designer and craftsman whose reputation in the trade has been growing for the last 20 years, the 46-year-old silversmith died of a coronary thrombosis caused by a broken leg. The leg was broken in an accident in his studio.

His widow, Harriette La Paglia, a niece of Mr. and Mrs. John F. Naugle of York Springs, will continue his studio at Craftsmen in Meriden. His mother, Mrs. George Larkin, resides in Harrisburg.

Services at Meriden were held on Saturday.

Source: Gettysburg Times - 23rd November 1953

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SAMUEL ROWAN

Sheffield

HUNT HEIR TO $500,000

Attorneys Advertise in an Effort to Find Frank Rowan

New York, Nov. 18 - In an effort to get some trace of Frank Rowan, the sole heir to the estate of Samuel Rowan, a silversmith, who died in Sheffield, Eng., about five years ago, attorneys for the estate have inserted the following advertisement:

"WHEREABOUTS of Frank Rowan, actor. WILLCOX, 273, Queens Road, Halifax, England."

Frank Rowan, who is forty-three years old, was Edna May's leading man in "The Belle of New York" fifteen years ago. The actor's wife, Mrs. Marie Rowan, said:

"Mr. Rowan went on the road with the company and disappeared in San Francisco about fourteen years ago. I was a girl in the chorus, but I stayed here in New York.

"We were married about four years before he disappeared, The estate left by Samuel Rowan, who was my husband's uncle, is valued at more than $500,000.

"About three years ago I employed detectives to find my husband. They reported that in a San Francisco cemetery a body was registered under the name of Frank Rowan. There was nothing, however, to prove that the body was that of my husband, but he must be dead."

Source: The Daily Star - 18th November 1912

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HOMER YOWETEWA

Arizona

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., - (AP) - Homer Yowetewa, 28-year-old Hopi silversmith employed at Grand Canyon, was killed near Ash Fork last night when his automobile skidded from the highway and turned over. Two passengers were not injured. His body was taken to his home in Keams Canyon. He was well known in Northern Arizona. He is survived by his widow and a small child.

Source: Prescott Evening Courier - 19th May 1931

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TOWLE Mfg.Co.

Newburyport, Massachusetts


SILVERSMITH BEING SOLD

Boston - Towle Manufacturing Co., s silversmith dating back to the 18th century, has disclosed plans for its purchase by First Republic Corp. of New York.

"Now, with a stripped-down company and a little financial strength provided by us, we see terrific opportunity fot Towle to regain market share and profitability in the future." said Leo Ditkoff, chief financial officer of First Republic.

The agreement's terms were not disclosed Friday.

Towle, with a 197-year history, reported a net loss of $114 million. The company filed last year for reorganization under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Source: Times Daily - 12th April 1987

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CHARLES SHIRLEY

International Silver Company

Charles Shirley has re-entered the employ of Factory E as a silversmith. He was employed here sixteen years ago and returned recently from Providence, R.I.

Source: Meriden Morning Record - 24th November 1914

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RUDOLPH GAGE

Gorham Mfg. Co.

EXPERT SILVER WORKER DIES OF COMPLICATIONS

Rudolph Gage, for 41 years in the employ of the Gorham Manufacturing company as an expert silversmith of the old school when it was necessary to do the present day machine done work by hammer, died at the Rhode Island Hospital last Saturday from a complication of diseases, at the age of 73.

Born in Berlin, Germany in 1841, he emigrated to this country at an early age, after having learned the silversmiths trade from serving an apprenticeship under his father in the Fatherland. He was sent to this city by the Gorham Manufacturing company, and was for 41 years connected with the concern as one of the most expert silversmiths.

Prominent in many organizations, one of his chief interests was in the order of the Odd Fellows, he having been at one time Past Noble Grand of Unity Lodge, and Past Chief Patriarch of Mazeppa Encampment. He conversed fluently in four different languages, English, German, French and Latin, and was in constant demand as an interpreter. He had for some time devoted his energies to gardening and flower raising on a farm which he purchased in Foster. He leaves a widow, Catherine Marx and two sons, Charles R. and Frank A.

Source: The Evening News - 23rd November 1914

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SYCEE SILVER

SYCEE SILVER - Readers of Asiatic news are frequently puzzled by the occurrence of the terms sycee silver, when Chinese matters are alluded to. The term is simply "shoe silver" when translated into English. The Chinese do not coin silver as we do - or at least have not been accustomed to do so - but use the Mexican dollar as a medium of exchange, or sycee silver; that is pure silver run into little oblong cakes, somewhat in the shape of a Chinese shoe, but more in the form of an ordinary japanned or lacquered bread tray, one piece fitting into another, so that they may be put in long rolls or sticks, and readily fastened together. This silver does not pass for a fixed value, but by weight, and merchants in the course of a large transactions pay out or take in tons of it at a time. A small gold coin, issued by the Chinese Government, has recently made its appearance, and a copper coin worth one-thousandth of a dollar. Cash has been abandoned in the Empire for a thousand years at least.

Source: Saint John Daily Evening News - 20th July 1869

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WILLIAM H. WILKE

Shreve & Co.

EXPOSITION HONORS BERKELEY ARTIST

An unusual honor has been conferred on William H. Wilke of 1141, Shattuck avenue, a designer for Shreve and company, the well known manufacturing jewellers and silversmiths of San Francisco, to whom the jury of the Panama-Pacific Exposition awarded the gold medal for their exhibits.

Wilke designed a beautiful silver vase of singular delicacy and grace, the theme of which is "the soul of music." So attractive is it that it has already passed into the ownership of one of the greatest connoisseurs of art on the Pacific coast. The jury of the Expositon, however, expressed its sense of this work of craftsmanship by presenting Wilke with a special gold medal. Wilke, while greatly gratified by such recognition, feels that the honor is specially significant of a growing appreciation by the American public of the genius of American craftsmen, whose productions, he says are more and more, taking high rank with some of the rarest gems of early Italian art.

Mr. and Mrs. Wilke on a long tour of European galleries and museums, were they had an unique opportunity of studying the celebrated masters of the silversmith's art and technique.

Source: Berkeley Daily Gazette - 20th September 1915

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GEBRÃœDER GABLER

Schorndorf, Germany

THIMBLE DEMAND OFF; FACTORY CLOSES DOORS

Schorndorf, Germany (UPI) - The world's oldest and once one of the largest thimble factories is going out of business after 140 years of protecting women's fingers.

The firm of Brother Gabler stops production at the end of the month in the "capital of thimble making."

Founder of the plant was silversmith Johann Ferdinand Gabler, son of a Schorndorf tailor. Gabler is reported to be the inventor of the thimble, at least the thimble of modern feature first made in 1807.

In 1824 he got a royal Wuettemberg patent for his thimbles and subsequently started mass production.

Equipped with the first self-constructed thimble machine, the new establishment was off to a good start. Soon after Gabler's thimbles were known around the world. In 1914, the Schorndorf factory produced several million thimbles of all sizes and from various metals, including silver and gold.

"In 1914 there were 130 workers in the factory." a plant spokesman said. "But now there are but 20 left. Most of them are occupied packing up the thimbles. There seems to be no more demand for thimbles."

In a few years he added thoughtfully "The only trace of thimbles might be found in our plant museum." Over the years the Schorndorf plant collected at least one sample of every thimble made and displayed it in possibly the world's only thimble museum.

Thimbles and finger protectors of all kinds, sizes and most material are on display here. Thimbles studded with jewelry, gold and silver a century ago were the dream of every girl, busily stitching away on her trousseau. Thimbles made of brass and zinc were produced mainly for export to India or Africa.

"Did you even know women in India and Saxony had the finest fingers" the spokesman asked. "Here, our samples prove it."

The largest sizes in thimbles ever made were for Bavarian and Dutch women, he added.

Source: Reading Eagle - 10th March 1963

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OTTO F. DINGELDEIN

Missouri

Blaze Damages Lodge, Studio

A two-alarm fire early this morning heavily damaged a two-story brick building at Elm and Ellis, owned by Odd Fellows Lodge No. 575 and occupied by a well-known silversmith, Otto F. Dingeldein.

The second floor, used as a meeting hall with kitchen and storage area, was damaged by fire, smoke and water, while the first floor, rented by Otto Dingeldein Silversmith Studio, was damaged more extensively in the rear than in the front.

Firemen believe the fire started in the northwest part of the first floor where Mr. Dingeldein packed his silverware for shipment.

The first alarm was sounded a 6 this morning by a neighbor who noticed smoke pouring from the windows. Firemen who arrived at the building found it difficult to fight the fire as several of the windows on the second floor were boarded. Additional firemen were summoned at 6:12 a.m.

Fire Chief Charles F. Mills said this morning he has not been able to determine how the fire started. But he did point out that Mr, Dingeldein used many chemicals in his silversmith work and this made the fire spread quickly.

A portion of the roof collapsed about 6:45 from the intense heat in the rear of the building. Firemen had the fire under control about 7:15 and one crew remained at the scene this morning watering down the smoldering ruins.

There were no injuries. No damage estimate was immediately available.

Firemen encountered faulty fire hydrants at Elm and Ellis and Elm and Sprigg. The water pressure in the hydrants was too low, and Missouri Utillities Co. has been contacted to correct this situation.

Mr. Dingeldein, a silversmith here for many years, is respected as a master craftsman by those in his profession. Known for blending modern ideas with tradition, many of Mr. Dingeldein's pieces are religious ones and are in churches throughout the nation. One, a chalice, is in the Protestant Chapel of the Air Force Academy in Colorado.

The German silversmith studied at the oldest craft school on the European continent for training gold and silversmiths. His grandfathers were gold and silversmiths.

In the fall of 1934, Mr. Dingeldein came to the United States to make this country his home because of the political situation in Germany.

He worked in Chicago at St. Louis in his own craft shop, then becoming president of St. Louis Metalcrafts, Inc. He left the metal fabricating and finishing business to open the studio here in 1959.

Although he works with many design ideas, he has often said chalices are his favorite medium of expression in metals.

Source: The Southeast Missourian - 11th October 1974


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TESSIERS

London

Tessiers Glitter at Sotheby's

By Padmaja Padman

Tessiers of London may not elicit the instant international recognition of a Cartier or Dunhill today, but its collection of antique jewellery and tableware still has a following of its own among Britain's discerning classes.

The exclusive jeweller and silversmith is to sell its entire stock of 450 lots of silver and 350 lots of jewellery through Sotheby's of London this Tuesday and Wednesday.

These are valued between £100 and £12,000 (between $4,500 and $54,000).

Tessiers established in 1852, is under new management and its premises in New Bond Street is currently undergoing extensive structural and renovation work prior to re-opening later this year.

The silver includes several 17th century pieces, but most of the lots comprise items of more recent make.

Among the items of domestic silver are condiment sets, wine labels, candlesticks and salvers.

Of special interest are four silver-gilt lion candlesticks dated 1881, estimated at between £5,000 and £7,000 (between $22,500 and $31,500, and a pair of turtle salt-cellars with a spoon each, and decorated with shells, which are expected to fetch £1,500 to £2,000 (between $6,750 to $9,000).

Apart from a selection of silver animals ranging from birds to elephants, there are also 14 coronets worn by peers at the coronation of George IV, Queen Victoria, Edward VII and George VI respectively.

In the jewellery collection is a diamond necklace made in the last quarter of the 19th century. It can be adapted to make a tiara and is valued at £12,000 to £15,000 (about $54,000 to £67,000).

Pendants, cufflinks, earrings, brooches and tie-pins with sporting motifs like jockeys and game-birds are in the collection. Rings ranging from £500 to £8,000 (about $2,250 to $36,000) will go under the hammer, together with cultured-pearl necklaces estimated at £400 to £8,000 (about $1,800 to $36,000) in value.

Tessiers, with its distinctive old-fashioned shopfront of arched windows, goes back in business to 1712 when its Huguenot founder Etienne de Tessier moved to London.

Initially, the family had no connection with the silver and jewellery trade but a grandson and city merchant, Lewis de Tessier, may have become involved by helping wealthy French refugees dispose of their jewellery.

Over the years, the family which anglicised its name, built up a reputable business. Although no longer in the family's hands, its name has been retained.

The present owners, the Parsons, plan to continue using the historic name and to offer the same standard of excellence that has been the hallmark of the business.

Source: New Straits Times - 14th June 1992

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ZAPFFE MANUFACTURING Ltd.

Seattle

Seattle (AP) - There was a silversmith in every big city at one time in America's history. But today, silversmithing is a dying art. The 63-year-old Seattle firm of Zapffe Manufacturing Ltd., owned by Don Thompson, has its closest competition in New Orleans. The novelty of Thompson's trade makes his service in demand. His customers range from Seattle individuals and insurance companies seeking repairs or appraisals on old silver pieces - whose gold content might make them even more valuable than sterling - to hotels, museums and governments around the world.

Zapffe's, named for the late founder Carl Zapffe, has restored silverware for the White House, Britain's royalty and Japan Emperor Hirohito's palace. Jewelers, clubs and major department stores send their precious metal objects to Thompson's mostly family-run shop for repair and replating. Just the shop's restoration work has an annual gross revenue of $300,000, he said.

He started with the business under Zapffe in 1943 as an apprentice. He left in 1951 when the founder retired, but returned in 1962 to buy the business in bankruptcy from the estate of the man who had bought out Zapffe.

Thompson renewed service to Seattle jewelers, clubs, department stores and other old Zapffe customers in the Seattle area, paid off the company's creditors and ventured out to drum up new business.

Much of the work done by Thompson, his wife, Audrey, seven children and seven non-family employees is for hotels.

A contract a year ago involved supplying much of the silverplated ware of the new Hyatt Regency Hotel on Maui Island.

Source: Spokane Daily Chronicle - 31st March 1981

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VEIKKO HUOTARI

Winter Haven

VEIKKO HUOTARI, 82

WINTER HAVEN - Mr. Veikko Huotari of Winter Haven died of lung failure Tuesday (Sept.25,2001) at Palm Garden Nursing Home. He was 82.

Born in Oulu, Finland, on June 10, 1919, he came to Winter Haven from New Jersey in 1971. He was a retired self-employed silversmith. He was a Lutheran.

He is survived by his daughters, Anja Hedefine, Franklin, Maine, Lilsa Srholez, Sussex, N.J., Eeva Houtari, Seal Beach, Calif.; sister, Anna L. Houtari, Oulu; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren.

Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home, Winter Haven

Source: Lakeland Ledger - 27th September 2001

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WILLIAM EDWIN FORD

(Newell Harding, later, Farrington & Hunnewell)

Boston

WAS JANITOR OF THE LIBRARY

Death of William Edwin Ford, Well Known to Literary People of Boston

Mr William Edwin Ford, for many years in charge of the Public Library Building on Boylston street, died at his home, 49, Atherton street, Roxsbury, at the age of seventy-seven years and nine months. Mr. Ford was born at Milton Hill on June 20, 1823, the son of Elisha and Nancy Ford. In 1828 he began to attend school under Miss Tolman, and afterward entered the Stoughton School on River street, Dorchester. In 1838 his family removed to Jamaica Plain and he entered the Eliot School. In April, 1840, he went to learn the of silversmith with Newell Harding. Here he served four years, after which he worked with Farrington & Hunnewell until 1858. In that year he was chosen by the trustees of the Boston Public Library to take charge of the then new building on Boylston street. He remained in this position until 1890, serving thirty-two years and six months. Since his retirement he had spent his time quietly at his home in Jamaica Plain. On June 15, 1848, Mr. Ford married Miss Margaret E.N, Brewster of Rochester, N.H.

Mr. Ford was an honorary member of the Mechanics Apprentices' Library Association, and held all the offices in Siloam Lodge, I.O.O.F., of Boston. He was president of the board of trustees of the Odd Fellows' Home in Worcester and of the Odd Fellows' Burial Lot at Mount Hope. He was also treasurer of the Odd Fellows' Relief Association. He was connected with the Universalist church for forty-five years. In politics he was a Republican. In his early days he was a volunteer fireman running with a Boston company.

Source: Boston Evening Transcript - 16th May 1901

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WERNER

Berlin

WITH THE YACHTSMEN

There should be a pretty lively competition among patriotic Germans for the Heligoland Cup this year, as it has been designed by the German emperor himself, and manufactured under his orders by Werner, the famous Berlin silversmith. In case the Yampa does not come up to his expectations, it would not be surprising to see H.I.M. designing a yacht next year.

Source: Boston Evening Transcript - 2nd April 1898

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GEORG JENSEN

Copenhagen

GEORG JENSEN - SILVERSMITH

Georg Jensen is dead, the name will mean nothing to most Americans, although Mr. Jensen had a deep effect upon a familiar object of our daily life - silverware.

Mr. Jensen was one of the leaders of the artistic revolution against Victorian bad taste.

He rescued silver from the obtrusive and frequently hideous designs that characterized most work in that metal during the last century and restored the simplicity that seems especially appropriate to the quiet and dignified sheen of the white metal.

From his school in Copenhagen, Mr. Jensen sent all over the world the designers and silversmiths who create or influence most of the work in silver today.

The idea of his life work came to Mr. Jensen forty years ago when he toured Europe as a young artist, noting how beautiful were the objects in the art galleries, how ugly the wares displayed in store windows.

The contrast seemed unreasonable and unnecessary to Mr. Jensen. And in his own field he accomplished wonders in bridging the gap between "art" and design in the objects of everyday life.

That achievement was enough to earn him the title of "the greatest silversmith in 300 years." (New York Post)

Source: The Virgin Islands Daily News - 21st October 1935

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JACK ZEIDER

Santa Monica

JEWELER MAKES BRACELETS WITH POLITICAL MESSAGE

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) - Craftsman Jack Zeider makes and sell bracelets, but he says he would like to see some of the orders canceled.

The quiet, balding jewelery manufacturer makes bracelets with a political message.

Zeider, who put "POW" bracelets on the wrists of thousands of Americans a decade ago, is now working on 2,000 "hostage" bracelets, solid hoops commemorating the plight of the Americans held captive in Tehran.

The 65-year-old jeweler - who also made the Save Soviet Jewry bracelets - says he sincerely wishes he "never had to fill any orders for these kinds of bracelets.

"I'd just as soon throw all that metal into scrap." Zeider said. The bracelets are brass with a nickel plating.

He adds that he won't accept a contract for political jewelery unless he first believes in the cause. He said he once turned down an order from the Jewish Defense League.

Working in a cluttered machine shop in the Los Angeles suburb where he has been in business for the past 47 years, Zeider went into semi-retirement in 1970 but he kept the shop open.

Nine years ago, a telephone call placed on behalf of Robert K. Dornan, an outspoken conservative who is now Santa Monica's congressman, kicked off Zeider's political sideline with an order for POW bracelets.

At peak production in 1972, Zeider claimed he was turning out nearly 200,000 POW bracelets a week.

The hostage bracelets - another Dornan brainchild - were purchased through a special committee for $1.25 each and will be offered free to the public, Zeider.

The hostage bracelets bear the inscription: "Lt.Col. David Roeder plus 52 - 11-4-79 never again." All bear the same name.

A former Vietnam fighter pilot, hostage Roeder was singled out and called a "war criminal" by the Iranian millitants.

Source: Lakeland Ledger - 5th March 1980

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H. HELWEG & ZOON

Amsterdam

OLD SILVERSMITH FIRM TO CLOSE

Dutch Business Founded in 1753

AMSTERDAM, July 14 - One of Europe's oldest silversmith firms - dating back to 1753 - is closing.

"It is a big pity there is no successor, but we can't carry on forever." Hendrik Helwig, 78, said.

Henrik and his brother, Carel, 71, are the fifth generation of the family to head the firm of H. Helweg & Zoon (Son). Over the years the family has turned out silverware for the Dutch royal family and members of the German and Belgian nobility.

The firm's silver collection and tools, dating from the 18th century, are to be sold before December. The brothers hope museums will buy the collection.

The brother's last achievement was a 1,000-piece dinner service for the government of the Dutch province of Gelderland. They completed it in three years at an age when many other persons already have retired.

Source: Toledo Blade - 14th July 1965

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