Information Regarding the Howard Sterling Company

[dognose]

A topic for recording information regarding the Howard Sterling Company, and their earlier entities, of Providence, Rhode Island.

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.

See: http://www.925-1000.com/americansilver_H3.html

and: http://www.925-1000.com/ax_howardRI.html

Trev.

[dognose]

Howard Sterling Company - Providence, R.I. - 1899

Trev.

[dognose]

Hiram Howard was born in Woodstock, Conn., November 26th, 1834. He was educated in the district schools of his native town, and in the academies of Eastford, Ashford and South Woodstock, Conn., and Webster, Mass., and when 18 years of age he came to Providence and obtained employment with the firm of Moulton & Rodman as bookkeeper. His desires being more metropolitan than could be gratified in his adopted city, he went to New York and engaged with T. B. Bynner, a jobbing jeweler, remaining in his employ until 1858, when he was admitted to a partnership, the name of the firm being changed to T. B. Bynner & Co. He remained a member of the concern until 1861, and then enlisted in the Second Regiment Artillery, New York Volunteers, and was honorably discharged after three years' service. He again engaged with T. B. Bynner in 1864 as traveler, was soon admitted into the firm, and remained a partner until 1874. From March 1st of that year until January, 1875, he was with the firm of A. L. Kotzow & Co., selling their product of solid gold chains. He then formed a partnership with Mr. Nicoud, under the firm name of Nicoud & Howard, importers of watches, which relations lasted until 1880. But during the meantime, in the year 1878, Mr. Howard commenced at Providence, in a small way, the manufacturing jewelry business, under the firm name of H. Howard & Co., making a line of sets, which during those days were so popular with the trade. Thus when he relinquished his partnership with Mr. Nicoud, he had a business started which required his undivided attention, It had always been the desire of Mr. Howard to be at the fountain head, for as long ago as he had relations with Mr. Bynner, he worked persistently to get the consent of his partner to enter the manufacturing business, wishing to offer to their customers goods of their own designs and make, rather than depend upon the skill of others to produce the articles they could handle. In 1884 his son, Stephen C. Howard, was admitted a partner in the business, and the firm name adopted was Howard & Son, remaining the same ever since. Mr. Howard has been connected with manufacturing about twelve years, starting small, and doing a safe, steady and wonderfully increasing business. In the fall of 1885 the firm conceived the idea of adding a separate branch to their line of production, and The Sterling Company was formed, which since the start has been a ready means of increasing their sales and bringing the concern into the acquaintance of a new line of customers separate entirely from those purchasing the American lever cuff and collar buttons. When Mr. Howard started in the manufacturing business he stated that his ambition was to be at the head of an establishment where 150 hands were employed. This wish has been more than realized, for during the last year the firm have had in busy times upon their payroll, exclusive of their office force and salesmen, 180 operatives. Mr. Howard was married April 18th, 1854, to Miss Mary Kenyon, a native of Providence, and the daughter of the late Stephen C. Kenyon. His son Stephen is the only child they had. Mr. Howard has been connected with the Manufacturing Jewelers' Board of Trade since its organization, and has been a member of its board of directors. Mr. Howard is a member of Eureka Lodge, No. 243, F. & A. M., of New York city, also of the Reform Club of the same city.

Source: History of Providence County, Rhode Island - Richard Mather Bayles - 1891

Trev.

[dognose]

Cape Cod Souvenir Spoon by the Howard Sterling Company:



Alongside the mark of the Howard Sterling Company and the mark 'STERLING' there is also the retailer mark of 'A.W. FLYE'.

Silverly wrote:

Alden W Flye was a long time Gloucester, Massachusetts jeweler. He was there from about 1890 into the 1920's. He was also in Rockland, Massachusetts prior to his Gloucester days.

Trev.

[dognose]

Howard Sterling Company - Providence, R.I. - 1899

'LORE-LEI'

Trev.

[dognose]

John C. Bastedo, father of Carl Bastedo, Canadian representative of the Howard Sterling Company, New York, died at his late residence, 582 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, aged 75 years.

Source: The Trader - June 1900

Trev.

[dognose]

Obsolete American Securities and Corporations

Howard Sterling Co. Office in New York and Providence, R. I.
Failed. Stock worthless.

Source: Obsolete American Securities and Corporations - R.M.Smythe - 1911

Trev.

[dognose]

PATENT INFRINGEMENT

A bill of complaint has been filed the United States circuit court by the Howard Sterling company of Providence, against the Silver City Plate company of this city. Infringement of a patent bowl design is alleged.

The Howard Sterling Company some time ago patented a design for a hexagon bowl which is used in a special solid silver tea set. The Silver City Plate Company discovered that the hexagon bowl had been in use fifty years or more before it was patented, and began manufacturing a tea set, using the hexagon bowl, but varying the other part of the work so the design would be different from the Howard Company's.

The tea sets were made up in Britannia metal, and the company has been busy manufacturing them for over a year. They have had an excellent trade.

The Howard Company notified the Silver City Plate company that they must stop making the design, as it was covered by the patent. The Silver City Plate company was willing to do this, but the Howard company claimed $150 indemnity for damage already done. This the Silver Plate company refused to pay, and the bill of complaint has been filed in consequence.

Sheldon B. Beach, the treasurer of the Silver City Plate company, said to a "Republican" reporter that the suit would be fought to the end, and that an effort would be made to break the patent, as it was a fact the hexagon design was a very old one, and made before the Howard company patented it. The course the Howard company is pursuing, he said, was not commendable, and brought down upon it the indignation of the dealers. It had permitted the Gorham company of Providence, R. Wallace & Sons of Wallingford, and the Baltimore Silver company of Baltimore to use the hexagon bowl in manufacturing sterling ware, but when a small concern like the Silver City Plate company began making it in Britannia metal, they jumped on them. He thought the real reason behind the suit was the desire to prevent the design being made in Britannia.

Mr. Beach is confident of winning the suit, as he has consulted expert patent lawyers, who say the Howard patent will never stand. Henry Dryhurst is the local attorney of the Silver City Plate company.

Source: Meriden Weekly Republican - 20th May 1897

Trev.

[dognose]

The case of the Howard Sterling Co. against Parks Bros. & Rogers has been settled. An attestation judgment has been entered in the Court of Common Pleas. This is a case of trover and conversion brought on April 30, 1892, and upon which the Howard Sterling Co. were on July 11, 1892, awarded damages amounting to $175.40 judgment and $4.68 costs.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 19th February 1896

Trev.

[dognose]

Howard Sterling Company - Providence, R.I. - 1898

'JACK SHEPPARD' Tete-a-tete set.

Trev.

[dognose]

Howard Sterling Co. - Providence, R.I. - 1899

DEWEY SPOON

Trev.

[dognose]

Frank Fisher, for years with Reed & Barton, Taunton, Mass., has accepted a position as foreman of the silver room of the Howard Sterling Co., Providence.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 31st October 1894

Trev.

[dognose]

Letters to the Editor

THE POSITION OF FOREMAN POLISHER IN HOWARD STERLING CO.'S FACTORY

Providence, R. I., Nov. 2, I894.

Editor of The Jewelers' Circular:

I see by announcement in your last issue of The Jewelers' Circular that Frank Fisher is reported as leaving Reed & Barton to take a position as foreman polisher at Howard Sterling Co; it is quite true that he is working at said place, but holds no position as reported, as I, Samuel Harrison hold the position as foreman polisher at the Howard Sterling Co., Providence, R. I., and would like to have the mistake rectified. Likewise should be very much obliged if you would let me know where you got your information from. Hoping to hear from you.
I remain
Yours respectfully, Samuel Harrison.

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

Trev.

[dognose]

Howard Sterling Company - Providence, R.I. - 1894

'QUEEN' pattern

Trev.

[dognose]

A. A. Wood, While Despondent, Fires Two Shots at Himself

Boston, Mass., May 8.—A. A. Wood, until two months ago a traveling salesman for the Howard Sterling Co., Providence. R. I., is at the Massachusetts General hospital in this city, recovering from the effects of a pistol shot wound, self inflicted, Monday evening.

Mr. Wood was boarding on Douglas St., Winthrop, a sea shore suburb of Boston, and his friends say he had been despondent lately as the result of business troubles. The story told is that he fired two shots at himself, missing the first time, and the second bullet lodging in his breast. Friends were notified of his attempt to end his life and he was brought to Boston that night. The hospital authorities said, to-day, that unless some unlooked for complications arose he would recover. Mr. Wood was well known in the trade and much surprise and regret were expressed when the affair was brought to the attention of the trade. The injured man is about 43 years old and is a widower. Previous to being in the employ of the Howard Sterling Co. he traveled for the Meriden Britannia Co.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 15th May 1901

Trev,

[dognose]

The Roger Williams Silver Co. will continue the manufacture of sterling silver goods, formerly carried on by the Howard Sterling Co., 7 Eddy St. The change announced last week is simply a change of name, the officers of the new company being the same as those of the recently organized Howard Sterling Silver Co. John J. Banigan is president and W. Howard Ellis is secretary and treasurer.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 12th June 1901

Trev.

[dognose]

Howard & Son - Providence, R.I. - 1885

Trev.

[dognose]

An advertisement from Parks Bros. & Rogers, issued in 1897, showing they have inherited the trade mark of Howard & Son (see above post):


Parks Bros. & Rogers - Providence, R.I. - 1897

Trev.

[dognose]

Stephen C. Howard, of Howard & Son, left in the 'Celtic' May 3.

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

Trev.

[dognose]

Death of W. Edward Fiske

Providence, R. I., Oct. 24.—W. Edward Fiske, secretary of the Howard Sterling Co., died at his residence. 169 Waterman St., Sunday evening. Mr. Fiske was stricken with apoplexy Tuesday evening. He remained in a comatose condition from that time until Friday, when he partially regained consciousness and seemed for a short time to recognize his wife and, as sometimes happens in such cases, resumed talking at the point where he had stopped when attacked Tuesday night. In a short time he was seized with shock again and remained unconscious until he died.

W. Edward Fiske was born in Massachusetts and first came to this city as a student in Brown University. He attended college for two years, leaving to take the position of shipping clerk in the Providence office of the Winsor steamship line, where he remained but a short time. He entered the employ of Howard & Scherrible, manufacturing jewelers, as bookkeeper, and continued with the same concern through all its various changes as Howard & Scherrible, Howard & Son, Howard & Son Co.. and Howard Sterling Co., for 17 years, in fact up to the time of his demise. He was possessed of a most pleasant disposition and will be greatly missed.

Mr. Fiske was a prominent member of the Central Congregational Church of this city and was actively interested in church work. His interest in this and other matters outside his business will cause his death to be deeply regretted by many of the best people of Providence. His widow and three young children survive him.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 26th October 1898

Trev.