The Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade

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FAIR TRADE IN WATCHES

Liverpool


During his recent visit to Liverpool, Mr. Chamberlain received a deputation on one of the minor questions with which, it may be hoped, Parliament will some day be enabled to deal. Most of us buy one or two watches in the course of our lives, and there appears to be some anxiety in the watch trade that these transactions should be free from imposition. The anxiety is very laudable, but it would be less provocative of scrutiny were it shared by consumers as well as producers. The public are, however, singularly indifferent in the matter, and, but for the alertness of the representatives of British industry, would be totally unaware of the wiles practised on them by the insidious foreigner. It seems, in fact, that we are suffering from unfair trade in watches. No complaint is made of the importation of foreign watches to this country, but they must not be sold as if they were English work. The demand is intelligible; but it is not easy to see how, according to modern notions, it can be realized. Englishmen have got accustomed to the idea that every trade should take care of itself, and adopt all needful precautions against competition, whether fair or unfair. There is, indeed, no industry in which tales could not be unfolded of the unscrupulousness of rivals and the injury thus inflicted on honest enterprise. It is, however, a different question whether the Legislature ought to preside over any manufacture to guarantee to the public full measure of good quality, and to protect the manufacturer against all competition that does not conform to a certain routine.

This was the issue raised before Mr. Chamberlain, and if it were merely suggestive of something yet to be, it would not be worth discussion But the principle just stated is to a great extent covered by existing legislation affecting both the watch and silver trades, and in some quarters there appears to be no unwillingness to increase its stringency. Everybody is familiar with the Hall marks on silver plate; they certify that the metal is of a certain standard. The fact is not so well known that nothing below that standard can in this country be legally sold. There is an open market for electroplate ; but if a manufacturer send to Goldsmiths’ Hall an article for which, upon examination, the Hall marks cannot be claimed, it is —returned to him? Nothing of the sort: the workmanship may be rare and costly, but it will never more gratify the eye—the Goldsmiths’ Company will carefully break it up and return the owner the pieces. It is unnecessary to say that this fine old custom has a very high antiquity, and that there are people who would be sorry to part with it. The position of the English Silversmith presents a study in trade survivals ; he is regulated in the present day as all other tradesmen used to be regulated centuries ago, and the quality of their wares guaranteed by a paternal Government. He cannot sell goods of varying standards of purity under the same responsibilities as other tradesmen: his work is specially taxed, and cannot be dealt in without a special licence. In the watch trade similar restrictions prevail. An English watch manufacturer must not sell a watch that has not been Hall-marked. On the other hand, his Swiss competitor may and does sell in this country thousands of watches that have no such guarantee. The Swiss and the Americans also sell watches that have been Hall-marked, and with which English buyers appear to be satisfied. At all events they make no complaint, and it is left to the English trade to complain for them. It is not pretended that there is any difference between an English and a foreign watch-case bearing the impress of the Goldsmiths' Hall, or that the investigation there made is concerned with anything but the exterior of the watch. The grievance alleged is that foreign movements are put in English marked cases and sold as English watches. To remedy this it is proposed to refuse the Hall mark to all foreign goods, and thus to compel them to be sold for what they really are. The Hall mark, it is contended, although originally designed to certify only the purity of the metals, has come to be regarded as a certificate of origin—as in fact an English trade mark. The English buyer, it is said, knows this, and while he is looking for the Hall marks he is thinking of the watch as a whole, and of the superiority of English workmanship. It is not surprising that the account given of the mental process in such transactions should be somewhat coloured by class egotism. To the English watchmaker English watches are necessarily the subject of constant cogitation ; but watch buyers have little worlds of their own, and are heedless of some considerations which he very properly regards as important. The whole subject of Hall-marking, as affecting both the watch and silver trades, was exhaustively investigated by a Select Committee three years ago, and there is a good deal of evidence to show that watch-buyers are not so much the victims of foreign deception as has been represented. People who give several pounds for a watch expect it to be Hall-marked as a matter of course, but there is very considerable testimony against the assumption that the Hall mark is taken as evidence either of the British origin of the case or of the movement. The movement, it is obvious, is the more important part of the watch, and this is sold under the responsibility and with the guarantee of the vendor. “ The Hall mark is a mere nothing in comparison with the name of an English watchmaker on the back of the watch or case”—this is the burden of much evidence from experienced manufacturers and dealers. Nor does it appear that it is an easy matter to draw the line between an English and a foreign watch movement. There is a very considerable importation into this country of foreign watch movements which are worked up into English watches in various ways, and in varying proportions. Some gentlemen from the provinces who were examined by the Select Committee were not afraid to suggest that the Hall mark should not only be withheld from foreign watches, but that it should be made a punishable offence to use foreign movements for Hallmarked cases, whether English or foreign. The same zeal was not shown for the protection of the public against an artifice by which watches emanating from Liverpool and Coventry were, for their more ready sale, passed off as London watches. It was philosophically suggested that nobody but an expert could tell the difference, and it need not be doubted that general ignorance on this point adds to the sum of human happiness.

No impartial student of the Report and Proceedings of the Select Committee can doubt that the grievance set up by a certain portion of the watch trade is of the protectionist order. Of course protection is disclaimed, but where in these times is the protectionist who will frankly own that he wants protection? He wants something which perverse opponents will persist in calling protection, but with whose true character he is best acquainted. As regards both the watch and silver trades what they stand in need of is freedom, not restriction. Hall-marking has its value; but it is obviously a regulation in restraint of trade. There is a strong feeling in its favour among certain manufacturers, and there is no reason why it should not be gratified. But there is equally good reason why the Hall mark should not continue to be compulsory either for plate or watches ; it is a relic of public functions which in far different times embraced all kinds of industry, and which only a superstitious regard for the "precious metals" has preserved in its now limited sphere of operation. There is much contempt among English watchmakers for "cheap foreign rubbish," but it is certain there is a great home demand for it, and there is qualified opinion to support the. suggestion that the English trade would do well to be less indifferent to the wants of humble buyers. English watches have their merits, but they have not the merit of being cheap, and, as Mr. Edward Rigg has hinted in his recently published Cantor Lectures, it may be questioned whether the average English watch is so much superior to the average foreign watch as to justify the marked difference in their prices. But for the necessity of Hall-marking, we may believe that English makers would long ago have entered into a more thorough competition with their foreign rivals; and Hall-marking must be made voluntary before the competition can be equal. Doubtless there are English watchmakers who hug their chains, and who think it a great advantage to be prevented by law from selling anything but a gold or silver watch. It is from such quarters that the cry against unfair foreign competition proceeds. The competition of the foreigner may not indeed be fair; but the foreigner has something to say for himself, and it cannot be denied that he has watches to sell which the English public persist in buying. It is for English watchmakers to consider whether it would not be better to fight him in the open market, rather than by fresh legal restrictions for which Parliament will be appealed to in vain.


Source: Pall Mall Budget - 11th November 1881

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DEATH OF HERBERT H. BALLOU

New York


His many numerous friends in the jewelry trade learned with deep regret of the death of Herbert H. Ballou, of Udall & Ballou, 574 Fifth Ave., New York, which occurred Saturday morning of last week. Mr. Ballou was expecting to leave his home in Bedford Park, Bronx, as usual, for his office in Manhattan, but he told his wife that as he did not feel well he would wait a short time. He went to an inner room to rest and 10 minutes later passed away. Death was due to heart failure.

The firm of Udall & Ballou was organized in 1890 at Newport, R. I., and a branch office was opened in New York in 1891. The business was incorporated in June, 1906, and Mr. Ballou became the treasurer.

Mr. Ballou was 48 years of age. He is survived by a widow and five children. Funeral services were conducted from the Bedford Park Congregational Church Monday evening at eight o’clock.


Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 20th February 1907

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FRANK BECK

London


Frank Beck is one of our best known silversmiths, a fitting choice to open the series of master classes being held by the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths during the coming months. He has worked at Wakely & Wheeler and Gerald Benney, and at the Central School and at Sir John Cass he has helped to pass on his knowledge and craft. Many important works of silver have been made by him and the company has examples of his work going back 55 years. In less than two hours he demonstrated a range of the techniques he applies to silver, making it look so easy. The Hall rang with the tap of his hammer as he showed how to raise the metal, and confided he never uses a divider except for a full circle, only a pencil. Scratching could lead to an ultimate crack. Planishing, crimping, caulking, peening - all the little tricks were revealed, though Mr. Beck insisted that 'soldering is the hardest job to do'. Further master classes are being given in the evenings of January 12 and February 8.

Source: British Jeweller and Watch Buyer - December 1981

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SIR JOHN BENNETT

London


In the Exchequer Division on Monday, Mr. Macfarlane, of Portland-place, brought an action against Sir John Bennett, watchmaker, of Cheapside, for breach of contract. The plaintiff in 1876 bought from the defendant for £126 a repeater watch, which struck the hours and quarters, and in the invoice it was stated that the performance of the watch was guaranteed. At the end of six months the watch stopped, and was several times returned to the defendant for adjustment, but as it did not then give satisfaction the plaintiff suggested that it should be exchanged, but this proposal was declined. He then submitted the watch for examination to another watchmaker, who pronounced it to be of second-rate quality, roughly finished, and made in part of Swiss works. Evidence in favour of the watch was given by the maker and by the defendant’s workmen, who said that while it was with them it kept very good time. The jury found a verdict for the plaintiff, with £86 damages.

Source: Pall Mall Budget - 31st May 1879

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DEATH OF ASSAY OFFICE WARDEN

Birmingham


OBITUARY

Mr. George Alexander Bryson, C.B.E., of Metchley Lane, Harborne, Birmingham, on the 1st inst., aged 81 years. Mr. Bryson was one of the leading authorities on licensing in the country. He served as a member of the Royal Commission on Licensing in England and Wales, 1929-1931, and was also a member of the Morris Committee appointed to report on War-Damaged Licensed Premises and Reconstruction, on which report the Licensing Planning (Temporary Provisions) Act is based.

Appointed a magistrate in 1914, he served as deputy-chairman of the Birmingham City Justices from 1932 to 1944. As chairman of the Licensing Justices from 1921 to 1944, he maintained the policy of “ fewer and better ” licensed houses, which led to the surrender of licences in the central districts of Birmingham and the building of imposing new hostelries in the surrounding areas. His work in this sphere is truly marked on the social life of Birmingham to-day.

Mr. Bryson rendered other great services to the city and diocese of Birmingham. As chairman of the Board of Finance of a comparatively new diocese, he gave valuable help in the movement to provide churches in the new housing areas. For many years he served as chairman of the Edgbaston Church of England College for Girls and the Birmingham Blue Coat School. He was a warden of Birmingham Assay Office.


Source: The Brewers' Journal - 17th July 1946

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JEWELER FOILS ATTEMPT TO BLOW UP HOTEL

Mansfield, Ohio


A plot to blow up the Von Hof Hotel, in Mansfield, O., was recently discovered by L. A. Ott, a jeweler. Mr. Ott lighted a match and a flame of gas shot up from a radiator to the ceiling. An investigation showed that some one had, with a rubber tube, filled every radiator with gas.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 9th May 1906

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JOHN HUNT

London


Mr. John Hunt, head of the firm of Hunt and Roskell, who died at the end of November, was for many years a member of the Society of Arts, and of other learned and scientific societies. He was born in the year 1811. His father was Mr. John Samuel Hunt, partner in the firm of Storr, Mortimer, and Hunt, the head of which, M. Paul Storr, had been originally manufacturing partner in the house of Rundell and Bridge. Mr. Hunt earnestly endeavoured, during a long business career, to raise the artistic standard in the silversmith's trade. In 1847 he acquired the services of Antoine Vechte, who received medals for his designs at the Paris Exhibition of 1855, and at the London Exhibition of 1862. He was one of the jurors for the latter exhibition, and his firm guaranteed £2,000. He was also a juror at the Paris Exhibition of 1867. Although his failing health prevented Mr. Hunt from taking an active part in the more recent international exhibitions, his firm continued to receive medals for their productions.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller & Silversmith - 5th January 1880

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JEWELERS EXCHANGE BLOWS

Atlanta, Georgia


Altanta, Ga., Aug. 24 - E.W. Blue last week formally opened his new quarters on Whitehall street. The store is one of the handsomest in the city.

A.L. Delkin, who conducts a store adjoining that of Mr. Blue, entered the new store the evening it was opened, and became involved in a quarrel with the proprietor. Blows were exchanged between the jewelers before friends interfered. Both men were arraigned the following day on a charge of disorderly conduct, but were immediately discharged.


Source: The Jewelers' Weekly - 29th August 1894

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FIRE AT PAWNBROKERS AND SILVERSMITHS

London


Early on Sunday morning the premises belonging to Mr. A. Berenfeldt, a pawnbroker and silversmith, 94, White-cross-street, St. Luke's, London, were discovered to be on fire. The policeman on the beat had great difficulty in awakening the inmates; but after some time two men made their appearance at one of the upper windows; they being unable to get down the stairs owing to the density of the smoke. The engines of the Metropolitan Brigade from Whitecross-street were the first to arrive, when the two men were rescued, the other persons in the house getting out by the back windows. The lower part of the premises was burned out, and a considerable number of pledges destroyed. About eight o'clock in the morning upwards of 100 poor women surrounded the building in a frantic state, inquiring whether the goods they had pawned had been destroyed or not. The pawnbroker was insured in the Atlas office.

Source: The Teesdale Mercury - 8th July 1872

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WATCHMAKER STRUCK BY LIGHTNING

Bernville, Pennsylvania


While Aaron C. Haag, watchmaker, Bernville. Pa., was working at his bench a few evenings ago, lightning struck his dwelling. The bolt passed into the cellar and thence up into the room, where it jumped from a lot of tools to the vice at which Mr. Haag sat. It then entered the drawers, melted tools, splintered a leg of the table, and finally entered Mr. Haag in the leg, ripping his trousers into shreds and tearing one of his shoes from his foot. Mr. Haag was hurled from his seat and his clothes were ignited. A red streak marks his leg where the electricity passed from the knee to the foot. Beyond a sensation of numbness, the man escaped injury.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 17th June 1896

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WATCHMAKERS' WIFE POISONED

Los Angeles


Mrs. George W. Young, - wife of the head watchmaker for Montgomery Bros., died May 23, from the effects of ptomaine poisoning, the result of eating Hamburg steak. She and her husband both ate of the meat, but he did not suffer so severely. Mr. and Mrs. Young were Canadians, their former home being at Ottawa, and Mr. Young took the body of his wife to that city for burial.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 3rd June 1908

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ERWIN M. BEEBE

Meriden, Connecticut


Out of respect to the memory of the late Erwin M. Beebe, who died recently in Meriden, factory “E,” International Silver Co., was closed during the afternoon of the funeral, which was attended by about 75 of the office and factory employes. Delegates were present from the Keystone Chapter of the Royal Arch Masons, Central Lodge, F. and A. M., and also members of St. Elmo Commandery, Knights Templar.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 10th June 1908

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DEATH OF THOMAS PRIME

Birmingham


I have no less than three deaths to report of prominent men in the Birmingham trade during last month. First in interest, perhaps, comes the remarkable robbery of stock from Mr. M. J. Goldsmid, and his subsequent suicide. The next death is that of Mr. Allday, sen. ; and the third, that of Mr. Thomas Prime, of electro- plate fame. The firm of T. Prime and Son is one of the oldest electro-plate businesses in Birmingham, and it has long been noted for good work. Mr. Prime died at a good old age, after doing good service to the trade. His death, I presume, will not in any way interfere with the business of the firm.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st June 1892

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EVERETT S. ROBINSON

Bay Shore, New York


Bay Shore, July 10 - Everett S. Robinson, retired jeweler, died yesterday at his home, 57, Maple Ave. He was 83 and had been in business here and in Patchogue for more than 50 years when he retired in 1933.

Mr. Robinson was born in East Patchogue, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Phineas Robinson. He is survived by his widow, the former H. Louise Almy.


Source: The Brooklyn Daily Eagle - 10th July 1943

Everett S. Robinson (b.20-3-1860-d.9-7-1943)

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DEATH OF FREDERICK PRETZ

Brooklyn, New York


DEATHS

FREDERICK PRETZ, SILVERSMITH, 81

Frederick Henry Pretz, former president of Redlich & Co., silversmiths, died in Norwalk Hospital, Norwalk, Conn., Sunday. A resident of Brooklyn for many years, Mr. Pretz had lived in Cannondale, Conn., in recent years.

Born in Allentown, Pa., he was a designer of sterling silver and a designer and manufacturer of the Kentucky Derby Cup and other prominent trophies. He was president of Redlich & Co. for 25 years.

Mr. Pretz, 81, was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Flatbush, for over 50 years.

He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Marion Clover Pretz; a son, Morrison, of Brooklyn; two daughters, Mrs. Suzanne C. Knudson of Cannondale, and Mrs. Constance L. Norcross, of Glenham, N.Y.

Funeral services will be held at the Raymond Funeral Home, Norwalk, Conn., tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be at Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn.


Source: The Brooklyn Daily Eagle - 26th August 1952

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BUYING JEWELLERY

London


The law in regard to the sale of jewellery ought to be altered, and no dealer in jewellery should be allowed to buy it of any one without taking reasonable measures to learn whether that any one is its legal possessor. Miss Elliot entered the shop of Mr. Spink, and offered to sell him some jewellery. She asked £800 for it, and accepted an offer of £550. Suspicious circumstance No. 1. She gave a false address. Suspicious circumstance No. 2. Told that her name was not in the directory, she gave an address in the country which could not be verified. Suspicious circumstance No. 3. Being paid by a crossed cheque, she returned three days later and asked for the cheque to be uncrossed, thus showing that she either had no banking account, or, if she had one, that she did not wish to pass the cheque through her bankers. Suspicious circumstance No. 4. She sold the jewellery and got the money for it, but all this apparently did not lead Mr. Spink to question whether the unknown young lady, whose proceedings were so remarkable was the legitimate owner of the wares proffered for sale. Mr. Spink is a respectable jeweller. He acted, no doubt, not only legally, but presumably according to the custom of jewellers. This is why I would have the law or the custom changed. As it is, law and custom will encourage impecunious wives or impecunious husbands to “ spink ” the family jewels. Nothing tends more to prevent robberies on a large scale, particularly those domestic robberies of wives from husbands, or vice versd, than to make it difficult to convert the articles stolen into cash without the almost certainty of detection.

Source: Truth - 18th February 1892

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WHITLEY JEWELRY Co.

Los Angeles


The manufacturing department of the Whitley Jewelry Co., located above their store, was considerably damaged by fire, a few nights ago. A number of workmen lost nearly all their tools. The fire, however, was extinguished with chemicals without the use of water, and no damage was done to the store below, The fire is supposed to have been caused by imperfectly insulated electric wires.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 28th July 1909

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JOHN F. SCHRINK & SON

Newark, New Jersey


John F. Schrink & Son, manufacturers of gold rings, at 67 Hamilton St.. Newark, N.J., are to erect a new building at Emmett and Mulberry Sts.

Source: The Brass World and Platers' Guide - January 1909

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THE PAWNING OF WEDDING RINGS

Paris


There were pawned in Paris last year 63,402 wedding rings. As wedding rings are not held very sacred in the gay French capital, this may not be a sign of unusually hard times.

Source: The Jewelers' Review - 21st January 1895

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CONDITION OF THE SILVERWARE TRADE

Philadelphia


The price of silver bullion has advanced and is now quoted at 68 cents an ounce. To this is mainly due the increased price of sterling silver flatware ten cents an ounce by the manufacturers and a larger advance by the retailers. The advance has proven an incentive to increase trade, however, and the leading dealers in this city predict a prosperous season.

Simons, Bro. & Co., in speaking of the condition of the trade, said: ‘ There has been an advance of 10 per cent, on all silver flatware. This includes such articles as tea, dessert and table spoons, and table and dessert forks. The manufacturers have contemplated this advance for some time. For over a year they have been making no profit whatever on flatware.'

'The Gorham Manufacturing Company was offering five cents an ounce off for cash to the trade. This was equivalent to six per cent, for cash. As the company is the leading house in the trade, all others had to follow. The increase in the price of silver bullion has also been responsible for the advance. It has already been a stimulus to the trade. We look for good business as soon as the season opens.'


Source: Evening Bulletin - 31st August 1895

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