The Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade

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CANADIAN JEWELLERS CONNED

Montreal


Some of the jewelers of Montreal were recently “taken in” by a gentleman who passed himself off as a son of Phil Armour, the pork packer of Chicago. He styled himself as Phil Armour, Jr., and stopped at the Windsor Hotel. He visited the stores of Henry Birks and James Allan, St. Catherine St., and M. Cochenthaler, St. James St., and ordered a large quantity of jewelry, etc. From M. Cochenthaler he ordered a ring which was to cost $283. Mr. Cochenthaler, instead of sending a clerk or boy with the ring, went himself. Mr.“ Phil Armour, Jr.” had skipped. Mr. Birks claims that he did not lose much by the wily gentleman, but there are several business men who were swindled out of sums ranging from $100 to $400.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 27th June 1894

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ENGRAVER TURNED ACTOR

Baltimore


Henry J. Conway, the theatrical and hotel man, died some days ago. He was 54 years old. He was born in New York. He was first an engraver, but afterward became an actor and played comedy parts.

Twenty years ago he came to Baltimore, and for awhile was employed in the establishment of S. Kirk &Son, silverware manufacturers.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 4th July 1894

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HENRY WARD BEECHER'S WATCHES

United Kingdom


The latest story about the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, who is at present in this country, tells what came of his losing a watch through the skill of a pickpocket. The incident was widely circulated by the newspapers and naturally afforded material for journalistic wit without end or bounds. But the sequel was very consoling to Mr. Beecher. A day or two after his loss he purchased a low-priced watch for immediate use. The next day the president of a well-known watch company sent him a watch, with the compliments of the manufacturer; a few days later a friend surprised Mr. Beecher with a present of a very handsome watch of the best make; then the city of Boston, by way of recognising the services rendered in the address which he lately gave in that city on General Grant, sent on a watch of beautiful finish and workmanship ; and, finally, the stolen watch itself was returned in exchange for a reward. Mr. Beecher is now anxious, it is said, to have something else stolen from him.

Source: European Mail - August 1886

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THIEVES FOILED

Stoke-on-Trent


Thieves at S.J. Maskery and Son's jewellery shop at Haymarket, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, were foiled in their attempt to steal a safe - it would not go through the door.

Source: Jeweller & Metalworker - 15th March 1962

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THE CHURCHILL-BARING WEDDING GIFTS

London


The magnificent jewels presented to Miss Mary Heyl Churchill on the occasion of her marriage last week with Harold Baring, of the famous English family of bankers, have been one of the features of special mention in all accounts of this distinguished social event.

Among personal ornaments exciting greatest comment and admiration were a superb string of evenly matched pearls, said to be fully two yards in length, and presented by the groom; a large circular corsage ornament of diamonds; a very broad diamond collar from the groom’s sister, Miss Baring; a splendid diamond tiara and a large fleur-de-lis diamond brooch. Aigrettes, pendants, rings and bracelets represented some of the other costly mementoes from friends, and among them the number of emeralds was noticeable.

One long chain consisted of diamonds and topazes and another of diamonds with a heart pendant. Other beautiful articles included a diamond crescent, pearl studs, and a charming collection of stick pins. Prominent in the array of silver are mentioned a magnificent chest of small table ware, a set of silver platters, and a large and handsome chafing dish. Other pieces included a variety of tea sets, bowls, center ornaments, etc. Diamond bar scarf pins were the groom’s souvenirs to the ushers.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 2nd November 1898

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JEWELLER DIES IN AIR CRASH

Shawville, Quebec


In full view of hundreds of visitors to Shawville, Que., Fair, on the afternoon of September 22nd, E. G. Amey, a prominent jeweler of Shawville, was killed, and Lieut. Jack Drummond of Ottawa painfully injured when the airplane in which they were flying, crashed to the earth. Mr. Amey sustained terrible injuries and died at the residence of his brother-in-law in Pontiac, the same evening. Drummond's injuries, while extremely painful, were not considered serious.

Source: The Trader - October 1920

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JEWELLER HAS AMAZING FIND AT AUCTION

Brighton


The other day a working jeweller named Simpson, in Prince Albert Street, Brighton, met with a strange piece of luck at an auction in that town. A picture of a negro, in an old and dilapidated frame, was put up as a lot, and was knocked down to him " for a mere song," amid the jeers of the brokers and other attendants of the rooms. On the back of the canvas, however, Mr. Simpson had noted, when the pictures were on view the previous day, the words "Dr. Johnson's Servant," and his curiosity being stimulated thereby, he referred to "Boswell" and to the " Life of Reynolds," when he found that Sir Joshua had painted at least one portrait of John Williams, the black servant who was so long in the employ of Dr. Johnson. The style of painting struck several amateurs as rather in the style of Sir Joshua Reynolds, and that view has since been confirmed by one or two experts, who have given their opinion that the portrait is either an original painting by Reynolds, or else a remarkably good copy (possibly a replica) of the portrait which the great master painted for Sir G. Beaumont.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st June 1887

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A DISTANT MEMORY PROVIDES A WINDFALL

Newark, New Jersey


It was a very good find that the men from an assayer’s office dug up from the site of a Newark factory long since obliterated. Fifty years ago there stood on Franklin St. the well known Baldwin jewelry factory. It pulsated with busy life for a decade or more. Finally, in the course of human events, the proprietor was gathered to his fathers, and then the building itself, first deserted, was razed to the ground to make room for the progress of hew things. It is said that the Prudential Life Insurance Co. had become the owners of the property and had decided to build on the site.

To go back to the beginning, it may be stated that there was one old hand at the bench who had never lost sight of events during all of his apprenticeship there and subsequent employment abroad. His memory was very clear as to the method of cleaning up the floors of the old factory once or twice a week, for years. It seems that a large tank on the roof furnished water, and the floors were flushed, and the debris naturally ran off into an extensive catch-basin underneath the building. Not all of the men knew of this. Returning to Newark, in an unguarded moment 50 years later, the old master gave a tip, and the next thing he knew was the presence of men and teams at the site. The men dug up the earth of the catch-basin and carted off 20 barrels of the stuff to the smelter’s shop, now moved to Irvington. While the men were digging away, the old master scooped up 10 ounces of the earth, and upon assaying, found it yielded 53 cents’ worth of gold. The 20 barrels netted $2,000.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 26th June 1901

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EARL SPENCER'S GIFT TO THE MARQUIS OF LORNE

Ireland


Earl Spencer has presented the Marquis of Lorne with a Celtic vase of Irish manufacture, modelled by a Dublin silversmith after an antique cup found at Ardagh. The piece of workmanship is as purely Hibernian as may be. Irish wolf dogs are interlaced on the lid and Irish amethysts set round the body of the vessel. The inscription is an old Irish text, and the plinth is of Irish bog oak.

Source: The Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian - 12th August 1871

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SILVER BASEBALL BAT AND BALL

Indianapolis


Carl L. Rost has given a silver base ball bat and silver ball to the Indianapolis team of the Federal League, and at the end of the season the ball and bat will be presented to the player having the highest batting average. The ball was thrown by Governor Ralston at the opening game on the local diamond. The ball and bat are of regulation size and each contains a special plate upon which will be engraved the name and record of the winning player. The ball and bat are now being exhibited by Mr. Rost.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 11th June 1913

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THE SILVER TRADE

Sheffield


Since the Eastern Dominions have been importing their own machinery from Britain in order to make silver goods in their own factories instead of importing silverware from Sheffield, this manufacturing center has noticed a falling off in export orders. India has lately followed Australia’s suit and placed a high tariff on this class of business. Otherwise the manufacturers are doing a fair amount of trade in silver and electro-plated goods, the cheaper qualities being preferred just now by the household buyer. The stainless cutlery trade is now experiencing its first period of depression. The market is overloaded at the present time, it is reported.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 29th April 1925

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GOVERNMENT SELLS OFF ROYAL NAVY FLATWARE

London


Navy Silver Plate.—30,000 ounces of silver plate (forks and spoons) has recently been sold by order of the Government, under the following circumstances. The practice of the Navy has been that the commanding officers of her Majesty's ships have been supplied with silver and electro-plate under regulations and on payment of a per centage on the value. Of late years, however, since the improvement in the manufacture of electro-plate, commanding officers have preferred to draw it for their personal use, as involving less responsibility and less charge to them, consequently large quantities of silver have been returned into store. These stocks were collected and sold at a price slightly above the current market price of silver. Only about 20 per cent, of the silver was new, no silver having been purchased by the Government for some years past.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - July 1883

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GALLIMORE STAINLESS SILVER

Sheffield


Stainless Silver—With reference to the notice which appeared in the Bulletin for May, 1923, (p. 318), regarding the production of a new stainless sterling silver, there is still another new alloy which is stated to be absolutely stainless. It has. undergone severe tests and has been accepted by one of the oldest and most reputable of non-ferrous metal manufacturers (W. Gallimore & Sons, of Arundel Mills, Sheffield), who, although not the inventors, are putting it on the market under the name “Gallimore Stainless.” Spoons and forks made of this new alloy are stated to have resisted all stains and retained their polish after months of severe use. Lemon juice, salad dressings, vegetables, vinegar, etc., have no staining action whatever on this metal.

A quickened demand is noticed for articles made of stainless silver, and the early prejudices appear to be breaking down. It might be mentioned that this new alloy cannot be deposited by the usual electro-plating methods.

Source: Bulletin - August 1923

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INTERNATIONAL JEWELLERY TRADE FAIR - NEW YORK

New York


‘Considerable demand’ reported by stone dealers at New York jewellery show

THIRTY-FIVE BRITISH JEWELLERS - among them three de Beers Award winners showed a wide range of contemporary and traditional jewellery, precious Stones and silverware at the recent International Jewellery Trade Fair in New York.

The British group was sponsored by the Board of Trade and organized by the newly formed British Jewellery and Giftware Federation. a body which has succeeded the British Jewellers’ Association.

In spite of the generally depressed state of the United States market, the majority of the firms participating were reasonably satisfied with the results achieved, particularly those who are already well established in the market. Several of the exhibitors subsequently undertook extensive selling trips to cities throughout the United States in addition to showing at the Jewellery Fair and found this to be an effective method of selling.

Few firms reported any resistance to their prices, although one or two reported some difficulty in selling their larger pieces.

Source: Board of Trade Journal - 26th August 1970

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IKKO MATSUMOTO

Indianapolis


Ikko Matsumoto made a rare trophy, to be given in the national balloon race which started from this city on Saturday. It consisted of a sterling silver plaque 14 by 20 inches, on which appeared in bas relief work four balloons of different sizes, a bit of scenery and representations of spectators witnessing the race. It requires 50 ounces of silver and was framed in a solid oak frame. A small silver plate bearing the picture of the winner in similar work will be attached to the frame.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 9th June 1909

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HAMILTON WATCH COMPANY

Lancaster, Pennsylvania


HAMILTON EMPLOYEES RECEIVE AWARDS

Twenty-two veteran Hamilton Watch company employees, who completed fifteen years of continuous service during 1948, were presented with gold service award watches by Calvin M. Kendig, company board chairman. The presentation brought the total Hamilton employees, who have received similar watch awards since the inauguration of the plan in 1945 up to 624.

The watches, appropriately engraved, “To a Craftsman the product of his Craft —For long and loyal service,” were awarded to 16 men and 6 women employees.

Mr. Kendig, in making the presentations in the company’s office building auditorium, congratulated the award recipients for their long and faithful service and thanked them on behalf of the company management.

Lowell F. Halligan, sales and merchandising manager, assisted Mr. Kendig in making the presentations.

These are the Hamilton employees who received 15 year awards: Christian A. Danielsen, Finishing; Amos L. Lenhard, Dial; Benjamin H. Hackenberger, Timing & Casing; Mrs. Evelyn Smith, Material Sales; Florence E. Riale, Jewel Setting; Elizabeth A. Martin, Order; Stanley P. Wikder, Inspection; Carl O. Homsher, Machine; Evelyn Schwarz, Screw Mfg.; Roland Bowman, Train; Maurice C. Shearer, Automatic; Richard Shock, Machine; John B. Gaz, Casing; Carl A. Yecker, Engineering Service; Bruce E. Wolfe, Machine; Joseph Centin, Equipment & Design; Robert Frey, Train; Ira C. Mann, Production Dispatcher; Kathryn C. Young, Advertising; John F. Scheffer, Escape, J. H. Gegg, Production Control; Esther Kennett, Train Dept.

Source: The American Horologist and Jeweler - January 1949

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WEST GERMAN WATCHMAKERS VISIT UK

London


The Board of Trade announce that a group of representatives of the West German clock and watch wholesalers are visiting the United Kingdom from September 13-16. The group numbers 29 and is headed by Herr Albert Bernhardt of Cologne. Arrangements for the visit are being handled jointly by the Commercial Department of the British Embassy in Bonn, the Board of Trade and the Export Council for Europe.

Part of the visit is devoted to sightseeing in London. On September 14 and 15 the group saw displays of the products of some United Kingdom clock and watch manufacturers and a meeting was arranged at the Board of Trade on September 15 with the export managers of United Kingdom manufacturers. In the evening of September 15 the group attended a reception given by the Export Council for Europe.

Source: Board of Trade Journal - 15th September 1961

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CHILD CHOKED ON DIAMOND

Zurich


A Swiss dealer in precious stones who had just returned to Zurich from Paris, while amusing his five-year-old daughter by showing her cases of diamonds, rubies and sapphires, was called to the telephone.

When he returned he found the child choking. She had swallowed gems worth $4,000. A doctor was hastily called, but the little girl was dead. A post mortem operation revealed she had been strangled by a diamond which entered the thorax.

Source: Fame and Fortune Weekly - 20th April 1923

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JEWELERS' CODE OF PRACTICE

New York


New York—A single code of Trade Practice Rules for the Jewelry Industry to replace the seven sets of rules now in effect was considered early this year at the 44th annual meeting of the Jewelers Vigilence Committee at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. Also considered were proposed rules on platinum and on the manufacture of gold-filled jewelry.

Source: American Horologist and Jeweler - March 1957

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UNMARKED WEDDING RINGS

Birmingham


Unmarked Wedding Rings. — What is known as the 9-carat wedding ring difficulty has at last been settled, if not to the satisfaction of all parties, at least in a more conciliatory spirit than was at one time shown. The offending manufacturers, against whom proceedings were pending, have jointly published an apology, and agreed to pay a certain sum (the amount of which is not specified) to the Guardians of the Standard of Wrought Plate (that is the correct style of the Birmingham Assay Office authorities) in Birmingham, and have further undertaken not to sell or expose for sale any rings of the offending kind in future, to communicate to their customers the purport of the said agreement, and at the same time to offer to receive back all such rings they may have supplied. In consideration of this undertaking, proceedings in actions already commenced have been stayed and no further action will betaken by the authorities in respect to any sale already made of gold rings coming into the objectionable category.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st July 1889

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