Information Regarding Maxwell & Berlet

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A topic for recording information regarding Maxwell & Berlet.

If you have any details of the above company, advertisements, examples of their work, etc., anything that you are willing to share, then here's the place to post it.

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The Henry F. Michell Co. Trophy




We figure in this issue the Henry F. Michell Co. trophy, for the best 50 Kate Moulton roses, exhibited at the annual convention of the American Bose Society, Chicago, March 25-27.

It is distinctly different in many respects from prizes ordinarily given. In the first place, it is most practical, having a base of six and a quarter inches in diameter, and an opening at the top of six inches. The vase is 12 inches in height, and will not only take considerable stems, but will hold a goodly quantity of water.

The trophy, which was designed and made by Maxwell & Berlet, Inc., Philadelphia, Pa., has a beautiful hand-chased representation of Kate Moulton rose on the front. The entire piece is finished in French gray and reflects great credit on the donors, Henry F. Michell Co., 1018 Market street, Philadelphia, Pa.

Source: The American Florist - 21st March 1908

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Maxwell & Berlet - Philadelphia - 1914

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An example of the work and mark of Maxwell & Berlet:











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Former Philadelphia Jeweler Involved in Crash of the Stability Motors Co.

Philadelphia, Feb. 21.—The Stability Motors Co. is in the United States Bankruptcy Court, and E. J. Berlet, formerly well known in the jewelry trade, the president of the concern, who forsook the jewelry business in this city about two years ago to enter a, to him, newer and more lucrative field, is nominally under arrest on a charge of "fraudulent conversion of property."

The news that the Stability Motors Co., whose prospects had found so firm an advocate in Mr. Berlet, had managed to become insolvent to the tune of anywhere from $60,000 to $100,000, came with stunning surprise to hundreds of jewelers in the city who were acquainted with the president of the concern and had listened to his repeated assertions that he had found in the motor truck business something which far exceeded the fondest hopes of a retail jeweler's profit.

Counsel for all three of the named creditors united today in declaring that "Mr. Berlet has not profited a penny in the transaction."

One of the attorneys said:

"Mr. Berlet, in every move, has been acting for the interests of the creditors. He is striving to refund the money his company owes and every one is helping him. This was a forced action against the company, but Mr. Berlet has agreed to every move and we are hopeful that the situation will not be as bad as it now appears."

The collapse was caused by "shoestring financing," according to Harris J. Latta. one of the creditors and a stockholder of the company, who also absolved Mr. Berlet from dishonest motives in the crash.

"While I stand to lose every cent I put into the company, I am convinced that Mr. Berlet did not benefit from any of the transactions."

The warrant against Mr. Berlet was sworn out before Magistrate Grelis and Mr. Berlet agreed to accept service upon agreement of counsel for the creditors that there should be no hearing until the investigation had been conducted further.

However, the question of how or why the company failed is not what interests Philadelphia jewelers so much as it is the mere fact that it did fail. Mr. Berlet, who was for 10 years president of the Walnut St. Business Men's Association and during that period a member of a firm of retail jewelers at 16th and Walnut Sts., confided to all his acquaintances in the old line that they were wasting their time in jewelry and should branch out and take up the automotive industry.

None of his friends profited by his suggestion. When he severed his connection with the firm of Maxwell & Berlet, it continued under the other partner. In the meanwhile the Stability Motors Co. took over luxurious and palatial quarters at 1740 North Croskey St., and seemed from the start to be a thriving business. Mr. Berlet told all of his jewelry friends how well he was doing and pointed out their error in not taking up a more lucrative line.

Then came the unprecedented year of 1919 when jewelers in Philadelphia reaped a harvest in business, and to top it off, Stability Motors has gone into the bankruptcy court and the jewelers here are mingling regrets for Berlet with emphatic "I told you so's."

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 25th February 1920

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An image of E.J. Berlet:



This image was published in 1914.

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PHILADELPHIA

On January 21st, a debate was scheduled between the Brotherhood of Holy Trinity Church and the Chapter Debating Club, but unfortunately the Brotherhood found it necessary to cancel the engagement. Mr. Berlet of the firm of Maxwell & Berlet gave a charming illustrated lecture on "Gems." The attendance was small owing to very bad weather, but all who attended were amply repaid for coming out.

Source: Bulletin of the American Institute of Banking - February 1910

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Maxwell & Berlet - Philadelphia - 1914

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A considerable amount of money has been raised by friends of E. J. Berlet, former widely known jeweler of this city, now under $2,500 bail, charged with fraudulent conversion of property. Mr. Berlet's further hearing, continued from last month, is scheduled for this week before Magistrate Grelis. The money being raised is to help the defendant out of his financial difficulties in connection with the bankrupt Stability Motors Corporation, of which he was the president. Abraham E. Hurshman, attorney for the Commonwealth Finance Co., the plaintiff in the case, said that he and a representative of that company conferred as to what action they would take. Mr. Hurshman said he knew how much money had been raised by Mr. Berlet's friends, but he refused to make it known. The fund is supposed to be called the "E. J. Berlet fund" and is to be used to liquidate the $100,000 debt of the Stability Motors Co. It is said that 1,000 letters have been sent out, bringing many checks into the fund. In return, notes are being given by Mr. Berlet.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 24th March 1920

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E. J. Berlet, one-time Philadelphia jeweler, and now charged with fraudulent conversion of property in connection with the bankruptcy of the Stability Motors Co. of this city, waived a hearing before Magistrate Grelis on April 7th, and has been held for court. Mr. Berlet has entered into a general insurance brokerage business at 1001 Chestnut St. In the meanwhile his friends are still trying to raise the $100,000 fund destined to clear up the debts of the Stability Motors Co., whose failure enmeshed him, as president of the concern, in the present predicament. The United States District Court this week adjudged the company an involuntary bankrupt and the business has been turned over to Edward F. Hoffman, referee.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 14th April 1920

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E. J. Berlet, of Maxwell & Berlet, silversmiths and jewelers, 13th and Walnut Sts., is one of the promoters of the Walnut Trust Co., a financial institution intended to remain open both day and night. Such a banking institution is established in New York City, and it is declared to be essential to this city, especially as a storage place for diamonds and jewelry carried by salesmen of leading New England manufacturers and New York brokers may be cared for when jewelers would be apprehensive about entrusting them to the care of hotel clerks. The new bank is to be established after the first of the year in the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel. Mr. Berlet, who is president of the Walnut St. Business Men's Association, is enthusiastic over the project, which already has influential backing.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 25th November 1908

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E. J. Berlet, of Maxwell & Berlet, Walnut and 13th Sts., was a guest at the banquet of the Market Street Merchants’ Association. Mr. Berlet is president of the Walnut Street Business Men’s Association.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 16th June 1909

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Six Yachting Trophies of the Present Season Made by a Philadelphia Firm

The six trophies illustrated upon this page were made and designed by the firm of Maxwell & Berlet, Inc., Philadelphia, Pa. They possess many very original features, and are considered by many, to use the yachtsman’s expression, “the best that ever came over the bay.” The contract was awarded the firm in competition with a number of leading jewelry houses of New York and Philadelphia.



Of these trophies three are in the form of placques made of black oak and are unquiue in design. One depicts a steering wheel, with a miniature port hole in the center. This port is made of glass, through which can be seen an etching of the Corinthian Yacht Club. Another shows a brass propeller, with silver and gold ornamentations, while the third is a hand-wrought copper shield, with a full-rigged sailing yacht in white enamel.

The two loving cups shown are also considered noteworthy on account of their artistic etchings. The one used as a prize for the power boat race is an ordinary yacht lantern, with glass removed and a Pompeian copper insertion made instead. This is also decorated with silver and gold.

Altogether originality of design, cleverness of detail and fineness of workmanship are well brought out in these pieces.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 21st July 1909

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Maxwell & Berlet have on exhibition in their show-room a block and gavel, in a neat design, of the first tree cut at 1105 Walnut St. This memento will be used at the banquets of the Walnut St. Business Men’s Association, of which Mr. Berlet is president. Among the members are Z. J. Pequignot, Combes & Van Roden, S. A. MacQueen & Co. and Maxwell & Berlet.

Maxwell & Berlet have also on display in their window an old-fashioned drinking cup, of the Georgian style, with three handles. This trophy was made and designed by the house for the special match race between yachts owned by Commodore Dickerson, of the Corinthian Yacht and Gym Club, and Commodore Crozer, of the Beach Haven Yacht Club.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 15th September 1909

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Maxwell & Berlet designed and made the silver loving cup which is to be presented by the Bulletin to Charles Eaton, son of Seymour Eaton, the originator of the Tabard Inn Library. The presentation will take place on the occasion of Mr. Seymour’s marriage.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 24th November 1909

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Maxwell & Berlet - Philadelphia - 1914

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The silver cups to be presented at the tennis champion tournament at the Belmont Cricket Club will be designed and made by Maxwell & Berlet.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 4th October 1911

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Maxwell & Berlet - Philadelphia - 1912

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The value of community farming was amply demonstrated today when Charles J. Maxwell and Harry Oakford, Merchantville, N. J., made a distribution of potatoes to the 226 stockholders of the Merchantville Community Farm, an organization which began last Summer with 14 acres and a capital of $2 per share, or $452. For his original investment each stockholder today received five five-eighth baskets of potatoes, and as the wholesale price of those same potatoes is today 75 cents a five-eighth basket, the net profit to the investors can easily be reached. The Community Farm purchased 14 acres from the Merchantville Field Club last Summer. They planted 10 of these acres in corn and sold the product subsequently for $152, which amount was added to the capital and went to pay running expenses. The remaining four acres were planted in potatoes and the harvest was 1,200 five-eight baskets. Each stockholder figures that he received potatoes to an amount equal to more than twice the sum of his original investment, and the community farming is not only a recreation, but a cold business proposition. Mr. Maxwell is president of Maxwell & Berlet. and Mr. Oakford is connected with the Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 28th November 1917

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Maxwell & Berlet, 13th and Walnut Sts., will occupy their new store, 16th and Walnut Sts., this week. T'his building was formerly the home of Mayor Fitler’s son, and it is still characterized by its beautiful interior decorations. This store will probably be one of the handsomest in the city. Colonial silverware will be carried exclusively, and engraved glassware, jewelry and art metals will complete the line.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 18th August 1909

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