The Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade

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ENTERING MERIDEN, HOME OF THE INTERNATIONAL SILVER CO.

Meriden, Connecticut


The International Silver Co., Meriden, Conn., has recently erected two road signs, or painted bulletins, on the State road—one just before entering the city from the north and the other one at the south. These signs are really very artistic and are bound to arrest the attention of every motorist going through Meriden on his way to either Boston or New York. The colors in which the signs are painted are delicate, but of sufficient strength to stand out well, either in daylight or under electric light. Shrubbery also has been planted around the bulletins, and will add very greatly to their appearance. The painting surface of the sign is 12 ft. x 60 ft., but the surface of the sign over all is 18 ft. x 94 feet. The signs read: “ENTERING MERIDEN, HOME OF THE INTERNATIONAL SILVER CO., Largest Manufacturers of Silver in the World.” A panel on the left of this inscription reads: “Silver Plate,” and another panel on the other side reads: “Sterling Silver.” The signs constitute a very beautiful example of out-door advertising, as well as serving as announcements of the name of the town which the motorist is about to enter.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 8th August 1923

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GOLD WHEEL TOURS UNITED STATES

Omaha


A solid gold wheel, weighing perhaps six pounds and surrounded by several hundred smaller wheels, valued in all at $10,000, is on exhibition at the C. B. Brown Co.’s jewelry store. The wheel is the emblem and property of the International Association of Rotary Clubs, and was presented by the California Rotary Clubs, with an invitation to come to the World’s Fair in 1915. The small wheels are marked with the name of each city possessing a Rotary Club. The wheel is touring the country, visiting every city where Rotary Clubs are known. Omaha has a Rotary Club of about 150 members.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 18th November 1914

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WART ON HIS THE ADMIRAL'S NOSE?

Newark, New Jersey


Chicago, Ill, April 5. — Whitehead & Hoag Co., Newark, N.J., have brought suit against Griesheimer & Co., clothiers of this city, for the contract price of 5,000 medallion medals of Admiral Dewey. According to the clothing firm's story, they awarded the contract to Whitehead & Hoag Co. for 5,000 metal medallions of Dewey, and when the medals arrived it was noticed that a small bump which looked like a wart appeared on the side of the nose of the "Hero of Manila." In all the pictures of Dewey the clothing firm had never observed any growth on the Admiral's nose, so they telegraphed to Mrs. Dewey, Admiral Schley and other naval friends, asking if Admiral Dewey had a wart on his nose. Mrs. Dewey wired that to her knowledge her husband's nose was not disfigured by a wart and the other replies were to the same effect. The clothing firm say they did not care to risk incurring public disapproval by distributing souvenirs which showed Admiral Dewey with a disfigured nose, so they refused to accept the medals, claiming the likeness was an imperfect one.

Source: The Trader and Canadian Jeweller - May 1900

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ADELPHI SILVER Co.

Brooklyn, New York


Wm. Schrimpt, president of the Adelphi Silver Company, manufacturers of sterling silver ware, fine cut glass silver mounted, Pearl and Prospect streets, Brooklyn, N. Y., announce that after Dec. 31, they will discontinue the sterling branch. It is their intention to devote all their energy on silver plated hollow ware, Sheffield ware and fine copper goods.

Source: The Metal Industry - December 1909

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A MUDDLED JEWELLER

Manchester


After a Hatton-Garden jeweler had missed his bag containing $60,000 worth of gems from the wardrobe in a room at a Manchester hotel the other day, the police were called in and investigated. The bag was found in a wardrobe in the adjoining room. The jeweler deposited the bag in the wrong room, went out on business, returned to his right room and concluded his bag had been stolen. When the police handed him his property he promptly checked the contents of the bag and reported that several diamonds, including one valued at $6,000, had disappeared. The police advised him to look through his pockets. He found the missing gems there, having taken them out with him as samples during a business visit in the town.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 19th March 1924

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20,000 G.I.'s STUDYING WATCHMAKING, JEWELRY AND ALLIED LINES

United States


Nearly 20,000 World War II veterans are learning to become jewelers, watchmakers, goldsmiths and silversmiths under the G.I. Bill and Public Law 16.

This total was disclosed in a Veterans Administration study of the principal courses and employment objectives of 2,535,385 veterans enrolled in schools and job training establishments under both laws on December 1, 1948.

Three-fourths of the 19,991 veteran trainees in jewelry and watchmaking or 14,784 are enrolled in trade and vocational schools. The remaining 5,207 are training on-the-job.

Of the veterans in classrooms, 12,038 were enrolled under the G.I. Bill and 2,746 were studying under Public Law 16, an act providing for the rehabilitation of veterans with service-connected disabilities.

The job trainees included 3,219 enrolled under the G.I. Bill and 1,988 training under Public Law 16.

Eligibility for G.I. Bill training consists of (1) active military service some time between September 16, 1940, and July 25, 1947; (2) service of at least 90 days, or a discharge for service-connected disability if released before 90 days, and (3) a discharge under conditions other than dishonorable.

For Public Law 16, requirements are (1) military service between the 1940 and 1947 dates; (2) a discharge other than dishonorable; (3) a compensable service-connected disability, and (4) V-A’s determination that training is necessary to overcome a handicap.

While in training, veterans may receive a subsistence allowance from V-A.

Source: The American Horologist and Jeweler - August 1949

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EDDIE NELSON Co.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa


Souvenir jewelry with official state seal motifs is being introduced by the Eddie Nelson Co., 302-303 Mullin Building, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in connection with the firm’s Jewelry-of-the-Month plan. Gold plated and authentically antiqued, this line retails for $1 and sells to retailers at $6.75 per dozen. Included are earrings, necklaces, bracelets, pins, key rings, cuff links, tie holders, and money clips.

Source: The American Horologist and Jeweler - March 1959

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THE INTERNATIONAL BALL

Meriden, Connecticut


To be held exclusively for the employes at the factories of the International Silver Co. in this city and around the State, one of the big social events of the season will occur Friday evening, April 24, when the International ball will be given. It is the first time that an affair of this kind has been planned and indications are that it will be a large success. The patrons and patronesses are to be President and Mrs. George H. Wilcox, Treasurer and Mrs. George M. Curtis, Assistant Manager Henry H. Stockder, of the Meriden Britannia Co, (factory E of the International Silver Co.), and Mrs. Stockder, Mr. and Mrs. George H. Yeamans and Cashier Frary Hale and Mrs. Hale, Wallingford, Conn. The ball will be held at the Auditorium and is in charge of two committees composed of the Meriden Britannia Co. office staff. The general committee consists of Chairman Raymond Clark, Robert Strobel, Wentworth T. Carter, Ida Schaefer and Esther Gallivan. The reception committee is Herbert Reeves, William Hinsdale, Lester Curtis, Alvin E. Sisson and Howard Stevenson. A concert by John Hill’s orchestra will open the evening’s ceremonies and will last from 8.30 to 9 o’clock, during which time the dance programmes will be filled out by those who care to dance. Dancing will be in order immediately after the concert and will continue until a late hour.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 18th March 1914

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THE SEARCH FOR OLD PLATE

England


There are two serious drawbacks which beset the persons who are fond of collecting old plate. The first is to light upon any genuine old plate at all, and to arrive at a secure conviction that the ‘ fashion ”’ is not a cunning simulacrum of an antique model, and that the hall-marks are not either forged or are fraudulent interpolations of old-mark pieces in new silver ; the second is the difficulty of obtaining the money to pay for the plate which you desire to buy. The happy few who have the means to acquire old vaisselle as well as the taste to admire it, should forthwith obtain the last edition, just published by Messrs. Bickers, of Leicester-square, of ‘‘ Hall-Marks on Gold and Silver Plate,’’ to which is added a history of French Orfévrerie: a most exhaustively instructive volume, compiled by Mr. William Chaffers, the author of ‘‘ Marks and Monograms on Pottery and Porcelain’’ and other books technically invaluable to the collector. This newest edition is the Sixth. Our gold and silversmiths’ trade is not in a very flourishing condition; but it is satisfactory to learn from Mr. Chaffers that, in consequence of the importation of vast quantities of foreign plate of an inferior quality, its sale has since 1875 been prohibited in the United Kingdom, unless it be assayed und stamped at the Halls, with an additional mark, denoting its foreign manufacture. I am right well aware that there are many estimable persons who are anxious to see hall- marks abolished altogether. But I am not of that mind, and believe in the Goldsmiths’ Company.


As for old plate, it is becoming more and more difficult to pick up, not only in England, but on the Continent. Our American cousins, I suspect, are the chief accapareurs of this fascinating ware. When I first went to Russia, seven and twenty years ago, you might buy old Caroline and Queen Anne and early Georgian plate in the Gostinnoi Dvor at St. Petersburg ; and in the markets at Moscow a piece even of Elizabethan plate would turn up from time to time. But on returning to Muscovy in 1876 and 1881, I found that nearly all the old Western plate had disappeared, and was obliged to content myself with a few pieces of questionably old Russian, clumsy, but quaint. You may hunt through the Bezeteen at Constantinople, day after day, in quest of old silver, but in vain. As for Paris, she is out of the question, from the modest collectors’ point of view, generally. Nothing rare or precious can be procured in the gay city under, comparatively speaking, the price of a King’s ransom. I fancy that this rage for rare old things—plate, furniture, books, pictures, prints, and so forth—is due to the fact that Frenchmen of culture and social position are having such a miserably bad time in the Present that they endeavour to derive some slight consolation from the possession of relics of the Past.

Source: The Illustrated London News - 24th February 1883

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IMPERIAL SILVER PLATE Mfg. Co.

New York


Announcement of the organization of a new firm to manufacture silverplated hollowware has been made by the Imperial Silver Plate Mfg. Co., which has just finished fitting up a factory and showroom at 43-45 Wooster St. The members of the firm ae Solomon H. Schiff, who has been connected for many years with several of the largest manufacturers; Corlenius Kramer, Nikifor Marketan, and William Lesbank, who are all practical men in their lines. Mr. Schiff will have charge of the office and selling end, while his partners will attend to factory end.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 30th May 1923

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ROYAL WARRANT

London


His Majesty the King has granted a Warrant of Appointment to The Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company, Ltd., of 112, Regent Street, London, W., as jewellers and silversmiths to his Majesty. The Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company had the honour of holding Warrants of Appointment both to Queen Victoria and King Edward.

Source: The Illustrated London News - 17th December 1910

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JEZLER FACTORY BOMBED IN ERROR

Schaffhausen, Switzerland


On April 1, 1944, one of the United States Air Forces was assigned a primary target in Germany. Because of weather, the bombers could not attack and targets of opportunity were bombed. Two groups of B-24’s dropped a number of bombs on Schaffhausen which is located within Swiss territory in an area roughly in the shape of an open umbrella bulging into Germany, and which is from 1 to 2 miles from Germany at some points. Extensive damage was inflicted. Among the Swiss firms damaged was Jezler & Cie A G., a company engaged in the manufacture and sale of silverware. This company, in addition to property damage, at first claimed 2,265,514 Swiss francs, or $529,325 for damage due to interruption of business. After several technicians had appraised the damage the case was referred to a special commission appointed by the Swiss Federal Council for the express purpose of determining the damage in 10 loss-of-profits claims. This commission consisted of experts including a president of the federal court. One of the principal items of damage was the destruction of about 10,000 work sketches which would require on the average work of 5 hours each for reconstruction. In addition, replacement of sketches for tools, loss of profits for stocks on hand, loss of stock statistics, additional expenses in reconstruction of estimates, loss of rent of premises, erection and dismantling of temporary buildings, replacement of advertising materials, and other items of damage were considered. The final amount of the damage for interruption of business was determined as $172,422.43

Source: Congressional Record - 1949

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AN APPEAL TO THE UNITED STATES TRADE

Athens, Greece


Athens, July 28, 1945

To our Colleagues the Watchmakers and Goldsmiths in the U. S. A.

Gentlemen,

From the City of Athens all your Colleagues in Greece, the Watchmakers and Goldsmiths, extend to you their cordial greetings and best wishes.

Just ten months ago, the glorious Allied Armies, after hard battles of their valiant soldiers, have given us freedom again. The barbarian conquerors, having ravaged and plundered our country, having put to death a big number of our citizens who had struggled for liberty, have left behind them only ruins and destruction in the whole territory of Greece.

Our branch of business has particularly suffered during the dark and odious years of our country’s German occupation, owing to the fact that we
were, not only totally inactive in matter of work, but also we had to face the various hard problems of subsisting and preserving our beloved families’ lives, who were tormented by hunger, nakedness and maladies. The inflation prevailing in our market during almost five years, the seizures and sequestrations of our properties by the new Huns, the pillages of our goods and eventually of our tools, have caused our ruin.

We therefore call upon you and your feelings of friendship and mutual guarantee, requesting you to kindly accept to render us whatever assistance you can within your means, especially by sending us the tools necessary to the continuance of our work. By these tools we mean those old and used ones, which are no longer necessary for your works, and those whose time of use is already passed. Please think that there are in Greece fellow-workers who would have been only too happy to have some tools, also used ones if any, to earn some money for their families.

A general collection of such tools, undertaken by the Association, or the Unit of the Watchmakers and Goldsmiths in the U.S. will assist in the
restoration of the ruined watchmakers and goldsmiths of Greece.

We feel sure that our appeal for assistance will find you willing to meet our urgent needs, for which we thank you in anticipation.

With feelings of gratefulness, we beg to remain,

Yours faithfully,

THE WATCHMAKERS and GOLDSMITHS UNIT OF GREECE

The President
Argyrios Nicolopoulos

The General Secretary
Chrisoforos Iliokratidis

Source: The American Horologist - February 1946

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THE END OF AN ERA

San Francisco


Andrews’ Diamond Palace, San Francisco, Cal., to Close Its Doors

San Francisco, Cal., April 8—The most spectacular jewelry store of early days, on the Pacific Coast, is preparing to close its door forever, on the celebration of its diamond jubilee. This is Andrew’s Diamond Palace, which has attracted world-wide attention since early days.

Colonel A. Andrews, founder of the Diamond Palace, was one of the famous characters of San Francisco’s “The Days of Old, the Days of Gold, the Days of ’49.” The Colonel, who was born in England, fought in one of this country’s Mexican wars, saw service under Maximilian in Mexico and in
other ways showed himself the heroic adventurer. His Diamond Palace was his pride and delight. Founded in 1850 its walls were encrusted with precious and semiprecious stones and were further adorned with paintings of historic celebrities from the brush of the older Toijetti.

Early-day miners, who “struck gold” and came to town to enjoy life, considered part of the game to buy diamonds at Andrews’ Palace. Celebrities from all parts of the world visited it and inscribed their names in its visitors’ book, among them General U. S. Grant, Lotta Crabtree, Lily Langtry, Adelina Patti, Oriental potentates and many other names known everywhere. In addition to the gems and the pictures, this glittering Diamond Palace had a system of mirrors, so arranged that objects reflected in one mirror were reflected in other mirrors, apparently almost to infinity. This palace was on the ground floor of the Russ building, New Montgomery St. It was burned in the San Francisco fire. The present Diamond Palace is at 46 Geary St. and is, in many respects, a replica of the original palace.

Colonel A. Andrews, its founder, has now passed on, and his son, A. Andrews, owns the place. He wishes to retire from business and has decided to sell the stock of diamonds and jewelry, by auction sale, during the coming two months. The staff that for years has served the general public and world celebrities will be with it when the final curtain is rung down. They are A. F. Andrews, son of the founder, Samuel Baker, who has been with the organization for 53 years, Edward Lawlor and G. H. Abondroth, more recent members of the staff, and Fong Loon, aged Chinese who has been under the Andrews’ banner for 49 years, and is known to thousands as “Loonie.”

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 15th April 1925

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ANCHOR SILVER PLATE Co.

Muncie, Indiana


The Anchor Silver Plate Company, of Muncie, Ind., has removed to St. Paul, Minn., where it has been reorganized and its capital increased to $150,000, $125,000 of which has been paid in. The officers are: A. F. Seliger, Muncie, Ind., president; H. W. Fagley, St, Paul, vice-president, and H. W. Collins, Columbus, Ohio, secretary. They expect to be in running order December 10th, and should have a successful career, as it is the only concern in that line in the Northwest.

Source: The Keystone - December 1904

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SILVERWARE PLANTS MERGED

New York


The Mauser Co. Absorbs the J. B. & S. M. Knowles Co. of Providence.

It was announced yesterday that the Mauser Manufacturing Company has absorbed the J. B. & S. M. Knowles Company of Providence, thus forming another combination among silverware manufacturers. The Knowles plant is now being moved to Mount Vernon.

This follows close on the purchase of the William B. Durgin Company of Concord, N. H., by the Gorham Manufacturing Company. Gorham interests have also obtained control of the Whiting Manufacturing Company of New York. It is said that the consolidation of other important silverware companies is also likely to be accomplished.

Max Ams, the President of the Mauser Manufacturing Company, which has $1,000,000 capital stock, is credited with bringing about the consolidation with the Knowles Company. Up to the present time only hollowware has been manufactured at the Mount Vernon plant, but as soon as the dies and machinery are transferred from Providence, tableware or flatware will be added, so that the concern will compete with other manufacturers on all lines of sterling silver.

Source: The New York Times - 29th July 1905

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CUTLERY FOR NEW GUYANA HOTEL

Sheffield


Viners Ltd. have won the contract for the supply of cutlery to the new Pegasus Hotel in George Town, Guyana. The initial order is for 760 dozen pieces of their Studio pattern which was designed by Mr. Gerald Benney.

Source: Board of Trade Journal - 30th July 1969

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ELINOR EVANS KLAPP

New York


Jewelry at the Ehrich Galleries

An interesting collection of unusual jewelry by Mrs. William H. Klapp and executed under her direction, is displayed at the Ehrich Galleries, 707 Fifth Avenue, to Mar. 27, inclusive. The objects are notable for taste of design and beauty of execution, the color of the gold used being also very rich. An object of much interest is a platinum and brilliant decorated crystal basket neck pendant, in which fruits are sculptured out of gems of suitable colors. There is also a very handsome corsage piece of Oriental design and an enameled eyeglass rase with a French XVII century, scene. Classic subjects appear in many of the intaglios.

Source: American Art News - 20th March 1915

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CUTLERY ORDER FROM MARSHALL TITO

Sheffield


One thousand pieces of design-award ‘Monte Carlo’ pattern cutlery, valued at £200, produced by George Wostenholm and Son Ltd., of Sheffield has been purchased by Marshall Tito, President of Yugoslavia, to equip his private plane being built for him in Britain. The cutlery was designed by Mr. G. G. Bellamy who is now Head of the Department of Three-Dimensional Design/Silver-smithing at the Sheffield School of Art and Design.

Source: Board of Trade Journal - 30th July 1969

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JEWELL ROBBERY AT THE BRITISH EMPIRE EXHIBITION

London


Within 10 days of its closing down the Indian pavilion at the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley was this week-end robbed of some $15,000 worth of gems. One of the diamonds was recently purchased by royalty and allowed to remain for exhibition purposes until the Wembley exposition closed. The jewel thieves secreted themselves in the pavilion over night and removed the screws of the show cases unbeknown to the pavilion cleaners who opened up next morning at 7 o’clock. A selection of the best gems was made, considerable other jewelry being undisturbed. Amateurs are thought to be responsible since Scotland Yard officials have made it practically impossible for members of the well known jewel gang and continental cracksmen to get into the grounds at all. Watchmen patrol the pavilions at night and plainclothes men are on duty by day. Brahmans at the Indian pavilion are much perturbed at the robbery. A small statue of their god disappeared the same night and they believe an evil spirit has descended on their building. A theory put forward is that the thefts are the work of a member of some religious caste opposed to Brahma.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 12th November 1924

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