Information Regarding Black, Starr & Frost

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A topic for recording information regarding Black, Starr & Frost, or any of their later or earlier entities:


Black, Starr and Frost - New York - 1911


A somewhat loose Chronology:

Marquand & Paulding
Marquand, Harriman & Co.
Marquand, Paulding & Penfield
Marquand & Brother
Marquand & Company
Ball, Tompkins & Black
Ball, Black & Co.
Black, Starr & Frost
Black, Starr & Frost, Inc.
Black, Starr & Frost - Gorham, Inc.
Black, Starr & Gorham
Black, Starr & Frost Ltd.


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

See: http://www.925-1000.com/americansilver_B4.html

and: http://www.925-1000.com/ax_BS&F.html

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Ball, Black & Co., 1869
Black, Starr & Frost, 1919

The oldest jewelry firm in this city was founded by Isaac Marquand in 1810. The store was a little shop at 166 Broadway, near Maiden Lane, where Mr. Marquand was joined by one Erastus Barton, an Englishman who had won an enviable reputation in both London and New York as a designer of silverware and jewelry. Today the concern, now known as Black, Starr & Frost, is located at Fifth Ave. and 48th St.

When this business was founded James Madison was president of the United States. The war of 1812 had not begun. The population of New York city was about 96,000, or less than that of Albany of today. At that time the site of the old Astor House, which was not built until 20 years later, was considered uptown, being virtually in the suburbs of New York.

In 1833 Marquand & Co. moved to larger quarters when Henry Ball and William Black were taken into the firm. In 1839 the business was known as Ball, Tompkins & Black, and in 1851, upon the death of Mr. Tompkins, the firm became known as Ball, Black & Co. In 1860 a building was erected at Broadway and Prince St., constructed of white marble. Upon the retirement of the elder members of the firm, Robert C. Black, son of William Black, took in with him as partners Cortlandt Starr and Aaron V. Frost, all of whom had been through a long period of training with Ball, Black & Co., and the firm became Black, Starr & Frost.

From 1876 to 1898 the business was located at 251 Fifth Ave., and in 1898 the concern moved to 438 Fifth Ave., corner of 39th St., and was incorporated as Black, Starr & Frost in 1908. The present location at Fifth Ave. and 48th St. has been occupied since 1912. The present officers are: R. Clifford Black, president; William L. Rich, vice-president; Aaron Frost, secretary, and Witherbee Black, treasurer.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 5th February 1919

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Black, Starr & Frost - New York - 1925

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INCORPORATIONS

Black, Starr & Frost, New York. Jewelry. Capital, $1,000,000. Directors: M. G. W., Robert C. and Witherbee Black, Pelham Manor, N. Y. Corporation succeeds to the business of Black, Starr & Frost, not incorporated, 438 Fifth Avenue.

Source: Fabrics, Fancy Goods and Notions - March 1908

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Black, Starr and Frost - New York - 1910

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The Fine New Establishment of Black, Starr & Frost

Black, Starr & Frost, the prominent retail jewelry firm who for 22 years occupied the store at the north-east corner of 28th St. and Fifth Ave.. New York, removed last week to their new and more commodious quarters in the Black, Starr & Frost building recently completed at 39th St. and Fifth Ave. The building, which is a structure of the most modern type, is a beautiful edifice of white stone. 7 stories high and is situated in what is now the heart of the "swell" business district of Manhattan. Black, Starr & Frost occupy three floors, the store, the basement which contains their clock and art furniture departments, and the sixth floor, in which their factory is situated.

The store and sixth floor of the new place are 50 x 100 feet and the former, which is 18 feet high, is fitted entirely in mahogany. In addition to the silver ware, stationery, diamond and jewelry departments, the store floor also contains the firm's business offices and the private rooms for the convenience of customers. Tne basement is larger than the upper floors, extending far under the street. The front part is handsomely fitted up as a showroom and the rear is used for packing and storage. Altogether the firm have now one of the handsomest and most attractive jewelry establishments in America.

The business is probably the oldest in its line in New York city, having been founded in 1810 by Erastus Barton at 156 Broadway. Mr. Barton was succeeded by Marquand & Co.. and this firm were in turn succeeded in 1839 by Ball, Tompkins & Black, afterward Ball, Black & Co. The present firm of Black, Starr & Frost were formed in 1874 by Robert C. Black, the son of Wm. Black, of the old firm, and Cortland W. Starr and Aaron V. Frost, both of whom had been with the former firm for a number of years. Mr. Starr died in 1888 and since that time the remaining partners have continued under the old firm name.

The business since its foundation has been conducted at several locations, gradually going north with the growth of the city. In the Spring of 1833 it was removed from the original location at 156 Broadway several blocks north and opposite City Hall Park, and in 1861 was again moved to 565 and 567 Broadway. In 1876 the firm took the store at the north-east corner of 28th St. and Fifth Ave., where they remained until their removal last week to the south-west corner of 39th St. and Fifth Ave.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 30th March 1898

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Black, Starr & Frost - New York - 1925

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The Design Submitted by Black, Starr & Frost for the Testimonial Vase to William Cullen Bryant





'The Art Journal' reported the following in 1875:

The design for the Bryant Testimonial Vase presented by Messrs. Black. Starr & Frost, represents the Grecian form, and rests upon a square base with the statuette figures of ‘History,’ and 'Mercury' resting upon oval projections on either side. ‘History’ stands in an attitude of deep thought, with a written scroll in her right hand; and that of ‘Mercury' is crowned with the laurel. The front of the vase bears a large medallion portrait of the poet, Mr. Bryant, in low relief, and encircling it is a boldly-wrought laurel-wreath. Upon the oval projections under the great medallions are four panels, which were designed to illustrate some of the poet's most popular poems, and the base is also enriched with mouldings. The lower part or standard of the vase is fluted, and the projections are richly encrusted with‘ leafy and floral ornaments in low relief. From this part two handles spring and follow gracefully-curved lines, and again join the body below the neck, where from an en-foliated design resting upon the shoulder there depends a mass of familiar flowers.

The body of the vase has an elaborate illustration, extending around its entire circumference, drawn from Homer's ‘Odyssey,’ in low relief; and on its front is a statuette figure, in full relief, of ‘Apollo‘ seated and holding his lyre. This figure is admirably drawn, and rests upon a buttress which springs from the body of the vase. The reverse side was to have been ornamented with a corresponding figure. The neck of the vase is fluted at its lower part, and has two projecting circles or friezes, the lower part of which is richly ornamented with floral designs. surmounting the whole is the fabled figure of 'Pegasus,' who is winging his flight to the heavens.

The design of the vase is of the monumental order, but in its execution it has been treated in an heroic way which is very imposing. The object of the artist appears to have been the production of a classical monument in honour of Mr. Bryant's genius, based upon his fame as a scholar, poet, and journalist in general, rather than upon incidents drawn from his writings. The vase was to be executed in oxidised silver, enriched with gold, at the option of the committee.

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Black, Starr and Frost - New York - 1910

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Frank Aenzen, a clerk for Black, Starr & Frost, jewelers, at Fifth avenue and Twenty-eighth street, was held for examination recently in the Jefferson Market Police Court. When arrested pawn-tickets representing twenty gold watches were found on him. He had obtained over $1,000 on the watches.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - October 1884

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Black, Starr and Frost - New York - 1880

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Some images of the new building for Black, Starr & Frost on Fifth Avenue and 48th Street from 1912:







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Contractor advertisement following the opening of the new building in 1912:


South Dover Marble Company - New York - 1912

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Black, Starr & Frost - New York - 1925

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Contractor advertisement following the opening of the new building in 1912:


A.B. See Electric Elevator Co. - New York - 1912

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Black, Starr and Frost - New York - 1910

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Black, Starr & Frost - New York - 1925

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Black, Starr & Frost filed suit in the Supreme Court to recover $9,000 from Mrs. Abigail H. Bishop on the sale of a diamond necklace in November, 1911. The complaint by Bernard I. Kamen alleges that Mrs. Bishop took the necklace on the understanding that she could have an option on it for $1,000 and could buy it within a year for $11,000. The jewelers contend that the title to the necklace remained with them, but say that aside from receiving $1,000 for the use of the necklace they have got nothing and they allege Mrs. Bishop also refuses to return it.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 26th December 1917

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Black, Starr and Frost - New York - 1910

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Black, Starr and Frost - New York - 1910

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