The Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade

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THE AUSTRALIAN TARIFF

Birmingham


London, February 1. , Replying to a circular from the local Jewellers and Silversmiths' Association, eighty-seven Birmingham firms state that the Australian tariff hindered the sale of their goods, fifteen state that it had not affected the sale, seventy-eight consider that if Australia imposed a higher duty on foreigners it would benefit English shippers, while twenty-four think that no benefit accrues.

Source: The Evening Star - 2nd February 1904

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MEMORIAL FROM SILVERSMITHS

Manchester


A memorial, signed by all the leading goldsmiths and silversmiths of Manchester, has been forwarded to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, praying that there may be no further delay in dealing with the taxation of gold and silver plate. This action has been taken in consequence of depression of trade owing to the uncertainty prevailing on the part of manufacturers and dealers with respect to the probability of a drawback leading to a general "stock starving."

Source: Flintshire Observer - 22nd February 1883

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JEWELER SUPPORTS WAR EFFORT

Cincinnati


Balked in his attempt to serve his country by enlisting, because of defective hearing, Joseph M. Plaut, a prominent jeweler of Cincinnati, O., hit upon a unique scheme to aid his country. He determined to "adopt" a widow who depended upon the support of her son, to allow the latter to enlist. Mr. Plaut contracted that during the time her son is in the army he would be responsible for her support.

Source: The American Jewish World - 4th May 1917

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THE OMAHA PLATING COMPANY

Omaha, Nebraska


The Union Pacific Railroad company has recently placed an order with the Omaha Plating company, giving the latter concern the yearly contract for replating the silver used in the dining car service of that company, at a contract price ranging from $1,200 to $1,500 per year.

The Omaha Plating company has made wonderful progress since it was established six year ago when It occupied quarters under the building at the corner of Thirteenth and Farnam streets. This location soon became too small and the firm was compelled to remove to The Bee building In order to meet the demands of their increasing trade.

Later the company moved to the present quarters at 1508 Harney street, where It has a model plant, one to be proud of, and in case of breakdown or emergency the factory has been equipped with two machines of each kind used in this business. There are six plating vats In all, two tanks each for copper, nickel and silver and the entire capacity of these is almost 1,800 gallons. Two Improved buffers or polishers are In constant use and the power is furnished by two motors, on of 7½ horsepower and the other of 3 horsepower. In addition to these the company has two plating dynamos of 2½ and 1½ horsepower respectively and It has the Intention to increase the capacity of the plant as occasion demands in the future.

Source: The Omaha Daily Bee - 29th November 1903

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NEAR MISS!

Wellsville, New York


According to a report from Wellsville, N. Y., while F. W. Ward, a local jeweler, was examining an ‘‘unloaded gun” which had been used to start the horse races at the fair, it accidentally exploded and the bullet just missed the jeweler’s son and crashed through the hat of a farmer who was passing. Neither the boy nor the farmer were injured.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 8th September 1909

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SILVER SPADE FOR ROYAL VISIT

Chester


Mr. Alfred W. Butt, silversmith, of this city, has been favoured with the order to manufacture the presentation silver spade which is to be used in the planting of two yew trees in the Parish Churchyard by their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales in commemoration of their visit to Wrexham. The handle of the spade will be of ebony with silver mounts on the upper parts of which will be shewn the Arms of Wrexham in proper colours in enamel. At intervals down the stem will be Tudor roses in silver. The blade will be of solid silver, on which will be engraved the Prince of Wales' Feathers and the inscription. This very interesting piece of silversmith's work was on view at Mr. Butt's establishment yesterday (Tuesday), and will be to-day. Mr. Butt has also on view the very handsome solid silver tea tray (24 inches in length), salver and coffee pot, which he has supplied for presentation to Mr. Isaac Taylor, J.P., Coleshill, near Flint, on his recent marriage. These, along with the solid silver spoons and forks which Mr. Butt is also supplying, weigh upwards of 350 ounces.

Source: The Chester Courant - 6th May 1903

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BRIAND HEADS SYNDICATE TO BUY RUSSIAN JEWELS

Paris


Ex-Premier Briand, of France, is a member of a company organized in Paris to buy the crown jewels of Russia from the Soviet government, according to reports in diplomatic circles here today.

The Jewels, declared to form one of the most marvelous collections In the world, are estimated to be worth more than $500,000,000 and Include the imperial crown, whlch bears In the center a glowing rose diamond of 265 carats. Another famous gem is the Orloff diamond of 180 carats.

It Is understood that the French commission, which Is to go to Russia headed by Herriot, a member of Briand's party, will open negotiations for the Jewels.

Source: The Washington Times - 23rd August 1922

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FINED FOR SPITTING

Waterbury, Connecticut


Willis D. Upson, proprietor of a jewelry store in Waterbury, Conn., was fined $20 and costs on February 3, for expectorating tobacco juice on the windows of a rival establishment.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 11th February 1891

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ADULTERATION OF INGOTS

London


A person was charged at Bow Street, on Monday, with cheating several silversmiths and refiners, by imposing on them pretended silver ingots composed partly of copper. The copper was described as having been introduced into the ingot while the silver was in a molten state, by suspending a copper bar in it. The ordinary tests of course suffice to detect the cheat. The ingot must be sawn across, or tried by its specific gravity.

Source: The Spectator - 5th February 1831

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STEWART DAWSON DEAD

Sydney


One of the best-known figures In the business and financial world of the Commonwealth, Mr. David Stewart Dawson died to-day at his home, "Wilga," Wylde-street, Potts Point.

Mr. Stewart Dawson was In his 82nd year, and was born at Liverpool, England, where he worked as a manufacturing watchmaker and Jeweller. He arrived in Sydney 45 years ago, and founded the well-known firm that bears his name. Gradually branches were established at Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin; and in 1910 he established himself at Hatton Garden and later opened the shop in Regent-street, which was to become a landmark for all Australian visitors to London.

His ramifications in city property were on an extensive scale, and although he was a man known for his public benefactions, he was of a quiet and unobtrusive demeanor.

He was reputed to be one of the richest men In the Commonwealth, and during the war made large contributions to varied war efforts, and was a member of many committees. In 1923 he opened the Ambassadors restaurant, which was for many years to be a centre for fashionable Sydney.

Some time ago he disposed of property in King and Pitt streets, Sydney, at the record figure of £777,000.

A widow and three sons (Percy, Norman, and Stuart) and three daughters (Mrs. Bertha Berall, Mrs. Lila Arnold, and Mrs. Vanna Gerrard) are left.

Source: The Sun - 6th August 1932

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A QUESTION OF HALLMARKS

Chester


Considerable anxiety is felt among gold and silversmiths all over the country regarding the proposal which has emanated from the French Government that the British Government should recognise French hallmarks in this country. The question is of much interest to Chester, as a considerable number of foreign goods are sent to the Chester Assay Office to be stamped, including Swiss gold and silver watch cases and Dutch and German silver goods. It was only last year that the Imported Watch Cases Act came into force, this being a distinctly protective measure promoted by our purely "Free Trade" Government, and compelling ail imported silver and gold watches to receive a British hallmark before being offered for sale. The Act prevents foreign watches of an inferior standard from competing with high-class British watches, and its strength depends on its being enforced rigidly with reference to the imports of all countries without exception. About a year ago the Swiss Government sought unsuccessfully to have their hallmarks recognised here, so that the watches from that country should he exempt from the provisions of the Act. If the French are given a preference the effect on English trade will be serious. as articles of so low a standard as seven carat receive the hallmarks in France. If French goods are admitted there will be no excuse for enforcing the Act against other nations, and it would probably end in goods bearing the unreliable hallmarks of the United States being admitted. It is to be hoped that the Government will in this instance stand true to the practice, and be false to their preaching, for it would be a pity to have a good protective measure watered down to weak Free Trade.

Source: The Chester Courant - 10th June 1908

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COWELL & HALL Mfg. Co.

Wrentham, Massachusetts


The Factory and Plant of the Cowell & Hall Mfg. Co. Destroyed by Fire

Wrentham, Mass., July 10.—Monday afternoon the factory of the Cowell & Hall Mfg. Co. was totally destroyed by fire. The cause of the fire was a gasoline explosion. Edrich Hall, one of the firm, was in the cellar connecting the pipe, from the tank with the gas-making machine. Some of the gasoline escaped and the vapor connected with a furnace near by caused the explosion.

Mr. Hall was severely burned as was Duly Pierce, the engineer. It was at first thought that Mr. Hall would suffer the loss of his eyesight, but the physicians say they will save it.

The building was a two-story wooden structure owned by Hiram Cowell. One hour after the explosion all that was left standing was the smoke stack. Most of the books and paper of the firm were saved, also a good deal of the samples and jewelry that were in the office. The town has no fire apparatus and the bucket brigade directed its attention to surrounding buildings.

Twenty-three hands were employed in the factory. The loss on the building is $500 and on the stock, fixtures and tools between $1,200 and $1,300. The insurance on all is $6,000. The firm had just finished putting in a new engine, which is now a total wreck.

Phoenix-like, the company have risen from the flames and are again ready for business. Yesterday they secured furnished quarters in F. M. Whiting & Co.’s building at No. Attleboro, and sent out a circular to the trade which announces that notwithstanding that everything was a total loss their men would be at work Monday, July 13th, and that they will endeavor to fill orders as soon as possible.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 15th July 1891

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HATTON GARDEN POST OFFICE ROBBERY

London


It appears that the diamond merchants of Hatton Garden are in the habit of sending quantities of diamonds in registered letters through the Post Office, insuring them with insurance offices at the rate of 1s. 3d. per £100. Some members of the criminal class knew this, and knew also that a large amount was to be transmitted on Wednesday. On that day, therefore, at five p.m., they transacted business in the Hatton Garden Post Office, turned off the gas, seized two bags with £80,000 worth of diamonds in them, and escaped. The post office has a lady for superintendent and ladies for clerks, and they seem to have been paralysed by the rush, though the superintendent flung her arms round some valuable bags on the counter. No clue has been discovered, or, we may venture to say, will be, unless the thieves quarrel; and though suspicion falls on the employees, it is, prima' facie, unreasonable. How should they know that such a quantity of diamonds were going that night ? It is more probable that some jeweller's clerk has betrayed his employer, and that the jewellers were robbed by some of the adroit gang who stalk down every woman of rank on her marriage, and seize her wedding presents. It begins to be impossible to keep jewels in England, except in a banker's box, where they are not particularly useful. In France, we rarely hear of jewel robberies, even actresses like Mdlle. Schneider keeping theirs, though they are seen every night on the stage.

Source: The Spectator - 19th November 1881

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LANDERS, FRARY & CLARK

New Britain, Connecticut


Cause of Explosion At Factory Unknown

The cause of the explosion at Landers, Frary & Clark's factory Wednesday afternoon, which caused damage of approximately $10,000, remained undetermined today. Factory officials and insurance experts have theories on the causes of the explosion which wrecked an electric
japanning oven, but could not state with any degree of certainty exactly what set it off.

Source: New Britain Herald - 22nd March 1929

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JEWELER BITTEN BY COPPERHEAD SNAKE

Louisville, Kentucky


C. R. King, a prominent Jeweler of this city, was bitten by a copperhead snake Monday while walking through Pilot Knobs from Oil Springs, In the
Kentucky mountains, where he has been spending his vacation. Although no medical attention has been given to the wound, Mr. King has suffered no pain or Illness, and as the wound has now about healed, he seems to be as well as he was before he was bitten.

Mr. King, who is a Christian Scientist, attributes iris immunity from the poison to his faith, but the other members of his party believe be escaped injurious results because he at once placed the thumb on which he had been bitten in his mouth and sucked out the poison.

Mr. King had been In Oil Springs several days, and on last Monday a party started to walk to Pilot Knob, a short distance from the Springs. While on the way one of the women In the party asked Mr. King to get her a bunch of flowers which were growing out of a crevice on the side of the mountain. When he reached Into the crevice to pluck the flowers a copperhead snake, which was hidden in the flowers, bit him on the thumb. The party became greatly alarmed over his condition after killing the reptile, and finding that it was a copperhead, but Mr King would allow them to do nothing for him. He remained with the party.

Among those who were on the trip were Miss Ada Lewis, of Covington; Messrs. P. H. Uppington, of Paris, and Theo. Uppington, of this city.

Source: The Courier Journal - 4th September 1909

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ELOPERS CAUGHT

Wadena, Minnesota


Three detectives terminated a rather sensational elopement last night.

Merritt Babcock, a prominent Jeweler and buslness man of Wadena, left a wife and four children to elope with Miss Grace Hewett, a pretty young school teacher of that place.

They reached Duluth last evening a few hours behind a telegram that announced their coming and sought their arrest. A detective was at the Union depot to shadow them.

They decided on lodgings in a small European plan hotel, and the officer reported the location at headquarters. Shortly afterwards Detectives Mork, Irvine and Terry visited the hotel, satisfied themselves as to the description, and placed the elopers under arrest.

Mr. Babcock very angrily told the officers that they were making a mistake for which they would have to answer, and Miss Hewett. who is merely a girl of 18, was guilty of a display of petulance.

She was a very pretty blonde, stylishly gowned, and comes from one of the most respected families In Wadena county. Her liking for Babcock was
known to several intimate friends, so when they both mysteriously disappeared yesterday, and it was found that the man had purchased tickets for this city, the father of Miss Hewett did the rest. Early this morning Sheriff A. L. Ervlne arrived from Wadena and started back home with the elopers.

Source: The Duluth Evening Herald - 8th May 1902

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POPULAR JEWELLERY OF 1896

United Kingdom


Increased popularity of coloured gems and enamels marks the chief features of jewellery in 1896. Among the first might be mentioned the opal, which has increased in popularity more during the last year than in any other we can call to mind. A prominent feature in connection with this gem is the cutting of it into spheres and the formation of opal bead necklaces. The mounting of these opal beads with interposing circular flat discs of diamonds or white sapphires, with facetted edges, has become very popular, and many of these expensive luxuries have been sold, especially at Christmas-time. Turquoises have been similarly cut and mounted with intervening sapphire discs, and occasionally a mixture of turquoise and pearl beads has been seen, while in yet others opals, turquoises, and pearly have been mixed, with remarkable effect. In all other kinds of jewellery the opal has entered most conspicuously—huge crescents, tiaras, pendants, and pendant necklaces, down to muff chains.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - January 1897

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PLAN TO CHANGE TASTES

Birmingham


The Birmingham Jewelers and Silversmiths' Association is about to launch a great publicity campaign with the object of restoring the popularity of the wearing of jewellery. It is a wear-more-rings-on-your-fingers campaign.

Birmingham's jewellery trade, which employs more than 60,000 people, has suffered a slump for three years, the main reasons for which are said to be the change in women's fashions, and the change in public tastes.

"The jumper," said a prominent Birmingham jewellery manufacturer, "dealt the trade a heavy blow. In the old days of blouses it was customary to
wear a brooch. Beads, embroidery, or a simple row of imitation pearls are the only ornaments women wear with the jumper.

"Once people wore two or three, and sometimes more rings. "Nowadays, a wedding ring or an engagement ring suffices.

"The most important factor in the slump, however, is the change in public taste. Since the war people have spent money they had to spare on motor cars, wireless and gramophones, instead of on jewellery.

"Before the war, a man with a few spare pounds bought jewellery for his wife and family, or a gold Watch-chain for himself, regarding the money as safely invested, since jewellery is always realisable."

Source: Toodyay Herald - 24th October 1925

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WAYNE SILVER Co.

Honesdale, Pennsylvania


Honesdale, Pa., Sept. 19.—The Wayne Silver Co. are getting ready for active operations. The building has been completed and mechanics are now making models, dies, etc., preparatory to manufacturing. Tea sets, berry sets, cake baskets and fancy and useful articles of various kinds will be made from sterling silver. The building is two story with basement.

E. Newton, formerly with Tiffany & Co., New York, the manager of the factory, has a number of sample articles from which dies and forms are now being made.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 25th September 1895

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SIR ROWLAND HILL AND THE CORPORATION OF LONDON

London


The Goldsmiths' Alliance are engaged upon the manufacture of the casket to contain the freedom of the city of London to be presented to Sir Rowland Hill. The leading feature of the casket will be a representation on the front panel of the famous "Mulready envelope," produced by the artist after the passing of the Penny Postage Act. The centre figure of this curious design is Britannia who stands surrounded by four angels, presumed to be the messengers of England to the four quarters of the globe. The idea of thus recalling one of the notable features of the early postage movement is extremely happy, for the envelope is long out of date, some 200,000 of the remaining copies having been destroyed, on the plea that the wealth of ornamentation left no room for the address. At the base of the casket will be affixed a small shield, bearing on the face a postage stamp in enamel. The panels at the back will be occupied by the inscription, and the monogram and arms of Sir Rowland Hill are to be enamelled on the two side panels. The arms of the city of London will be raised over the lid. The casket will be of 18 carat gold, with a lining of red velvet. It will stand upon a plinth of veined porphyry, and that again on a base of crimson velvet.

Source: The Weekly Mail - 5th April 1879

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