Information Regarding the Towle Silversmiths

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Towle flatware patterns from 1986:


Towle - 1986

'BEADED ANTIQUE' - 'BOSTON ANTIQUE' - 'COLONIAL PLUME' - 'HAMMERSMITH' - 'LONDON SHELL' - 'OLD VIENNA'

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THE TOWLE MFG. CO.

The Towle Mfg. Co., Newburyport, Mass., are an indirect outgrowth of efforts of individuals and co-operative industries established as early as the seventeenth century. In the vicinity of Newburyport, the art of the silversmith has been practiced for over 200 years, the culmination of these efforts being found in the factory of the Towle Mfg. Co.

The pioneer colonial silversmith was William Moulton, 2d, whose first silver shoe buckles appeared about 1690. The first goldsmith in New England whose successors in a direct line have continued to the present time was Joseph Moulton, son of William Moulton, 2d. From the rude “ Blacksmith and Whitesmith Shop ” of the Moultons in 1690 has been evolved one of the most complete silverware factories in the world.

Seeking for the origin of the Towle Mfg. Co., we find other names prominent among the early Newburyport silversmiths. Jacob Perkins, born in 1766, assumed the management of the business of his deceased master, Davis, at the age of 15 years. He afterward removed to London. Bradbury & Bro., manufacturing silversmiths, thrived about the year 1800.

The Towle Mfg. Co. incorporated in 1880 with a capital of $20,000. Their growth has been continuous and remarkable, until today they rank among the first houses in America engaged in the manufacture of silverware. Their capital has been doubled and doubled again until now the stock is $372,000. The wares manufactured are mainly sterling silver and embrace everything known as table flatware. The principal building of the company is a handsome brick structure, 184 feet in length by 40 feet in depth and has four stories. This building, with the wings and smaller buildings, gives a floor space of about 35,000 square feet.

The large business done through their Chicago branch is the result of the personal abilities of J. A. Todd, and of the quality of the productions. The officers of the corporation are: President, Eben Sumner; treasurer, Wm. H. Swasey; vice-president and manager, L. D. Cole.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 7th February 1894

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CHICAGO

For some time Theo. H. Purple, for 11 years with the Holmes & Edwards Silver Co. and the Manhattan Silver Plate Co., has had leanings toward sterling lines, and recently resigned his former position to connect himself with the A. F. Towle & Son Co. , of Greenfield, Mass. Mr. Purple leaves his former connections with the best of well wishes for their continued success, the severing of their relations being mutual. His ambition is gratified in a measure by being able to associate himself with a factory located in his native State, the old Bay State, though he has resided here for a quarter of a century. Mr. Purple will put his best energies into his new work and his new quarters at 302 Masonic Temple are well fitted up for the conduction of business.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 6th February 1895

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See: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=57679

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Towle - Newburyport, Mass. - 1951

'OLD MASTER' - 'MADERIA' - 'KING RICHARD' - 'RAMBLER ROSE' - 'SILVER FLUTES' - 'CONTOUR'

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Towle - Newburyport, Mass. - 1951

'OLD COLONIAL' - 'CANDLELIGHT' - 'CHIPPENDALE' - 'RAMBLER ROSE' - 'FRENCH PROVINCIAL' - 'CONTOUR'

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Towle - Newburyport, Mass. - 1952

'SOUTHWIND'

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Towle Mfg. Company - Newburyport, Mass. - 1916

'ARCADIAN'

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Towle - Newburyport, Mass. - 1924

'LOUIS XIV'

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Towle - Newburyport, Mass. - 1952

'SILVER FLUTES' - 'OLD MASTER' - 'MADEIRA' - 'CRAFTSMAN' - 'KING RICHARD' - 'CONTOUR' - 'FRENCH PROVINCIAL'

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Towle - Newburyport, Mass. - 1923

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Towle Manufacturing Company - Newburyport, Mass. - 1909

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CHICAGO

Harry F. Hillman, Jr., of the Towle Mfg Co., recently left on a trip through Michigan where he will combine business with pleasure. Mr. Hillman expects to spend the week end at his estate at Ludington duck hunting. Charles A. Bartling, of the Towle Mfg. Co., returned last week from a successful extended trip through the northwest.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 10th December 1924

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Towle - Newburyport, Mass. - 1961

'VESPERA'

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Edward L. Jensen, who has been connected with the Chicago office of the Towle Mfg. Co., for the past 12 years, has now joined the sales force of this company, and will represent them in southern Illinois, southern Indiana and several southern States. Mr. Jensen has left on his initial trip and will be gone for a month.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 22nd July 1925

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An Old Trick of Robbing Messengers Not Altogether Successful

Chicago, Ill., Jan. 25.—J. Edgar Walton has been arrested charged with larceny on a warrant sworn out by James A. Todd, of the Towle Mfg. Co. A messenger of the company was sent to deliver packages containing silver worth $260 to two State St. jewelers. When the boy was in front of the American Express building, Monroe St., he was accosted by a stylishly dressed man who asked him to deliver a note to one of the tenants on the upper floor. He gave the boy a quarter and offered to hold the packages during his absence. The boy jumped at the opportunity to earn 25 cents so easily, and intrusted the packages to the stranger.

When he returned the man and the packages had disappeared. The theft was at once reported to the police and detectives put on the man’s track. In the meantime he had been arrested on another charge made by other parties, and was about to be released, owing to the non-appearance of his accusers, when Mr. Todd promptly had him re-arrested, and as the man was unable to furnish bonds he was sent to the city jail.

Three-quarters of the goods were located by the detectives in a pawnshop and returned to the company.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 31st January 1900

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A. L. Fuller, Miss Irene MacMaster, O. L. Samuelson, F. J. Spellman, and Charles A. Bartling, of the Chicago office of the Towle. Co., left last week to attend a salesmen’s conference at the home office of the Towle Co. at Newburyport, Mass., and will be gone for about 10 days. H. F. Hillman, also of the Chicago force, accompanied by his wife left a few days before the others, so they could visit Washington and New York en route.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 29th June 1921

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Towle - Newburyport, Mass. - 1948

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PITTSBURGH

H. M. Hemp and E. H. Colby, of the Towle Mfg. Co., displayed the Towle line at the Hotel Henry on Friday and Saturday of last week. They had 10 trunks of samples and the display was one of the most wonderful that has ever been attempted on the road.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 24th September 1913

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Frank J. Spellman, southern representative for the Towle Mfg. Co., left Houston, Tex ., last Saturday for home. Mr. Spellman had been confined at a local hospital at Houston for the past six weeks. Mrs. Spellman accompanied him home and they stopped off at San Antonio, Dallas and other cities en route, to rest for a few days. Mr. Spellman is greatly improved but will have to remain at his home for a while before attempting to return to his duties.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 14th November 1929

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