Information Regarding Dominick & Haff

[dognose]

Merrill A. Legg, Ex-Silversmith

Amityville, Feb. 18 - Merrill A. Legg, 76, of Auburn, Mass., a retired silversmith and one of the organizers of East End Council 101, Jr. O.U.A. M. in Brooklyn, where he lived for several years, died here yesterday at the home of his daughter, Mre. Alice L. Fajans, at 99, Bennett Place.

His death resulted from pneumonia after an illness of about six weeks. He had been visiting Mrs. Fajans since early last Fall. Born in Auburn on Sept. 1, 1851, he fomerly was employed in the Massachusetts shop of Dominic & Haff, later merged with the silver firm of Reed & Barton, Manhattan.

Surviving, in addition to Mrs. Fajans, are his widow, Mrs. Caroline E. Legg; three sons, Willard Howard Legg of California and Charles S. and Clinton D. Legg, both of Massachusetts. Funeral services will be conducted Sunday at 1:30 p.m. in the Fajans home by the Rev. Marion J. Creger, pastor of the Methodist Church of Amityville. Burial will be in Cypress Hills Cemetery.

Source: The Brooklyn Daily Eagle - 18th February 1938

Trev.

[dognose]

NEW YORK ITEMS

Mary Day Dominick, mother of H. Blanchard Dominick, of Dominick & Haff, died last week at her residence in this city.

Source: The Jewelers' Weekly - 26th December 1894

Trev.

[dognose]

Dominick & Haff - New York - 1894

Trev.

[dognose]

DOMINICK & HAFF

The firm of Dominick & Haff, according to the chronology customarily employed in historical sketches of commercial houses, can veritably trace the foundation of their business to the latter half of the eighteenth century, though it has been the last quarter century that has seen their greatest development. The present concern established themselves in business under their own name, in 1870, succeeding William Gale & Son, who manufactured silverware in all its branches, and who were at that time looked upon as the oldest established firm of silversmiths in the country. William Gale had been an apprentice of Peter and John Targee, who had succeeded to the business of John Vernon, silversmith, of Jacob St., New York, during the latter half of the eighteenth century. Though not positively known, many facts go to prove that William Gale bought out the plant of the Targee brothers. He established himself in 1821.

In the early years of their establishment Dominick & Haff devoted themselves exclusively to the manufacture of silver small wares, and acquired a wide reputation for their vinaigrettes, chatelaines and other fancy articles. Following this period they developed a large business in hollow ware. In 1877 the firm’s office and factory were entirely burned out, in the destructive fire that devastated the Waltham building in Bond St. They immediately moved into 7 and 9 Bond St., where they had increased facilities for business, and began to manufacture all varieties of articles in silver. The firm remained in this location but a short time, when, removing to 1, 3 and 5 Bond St., into the reconstructed Waltham building, they purchased that part of the plant of the Adams & Shaw Co., as tools, fixtures and patterns that related to the manufacture of silverware and which the latter concern had previously purchased from John R. Wendt & Co. This purchase enabled the firm to give constant employment to about one hundred men. They manufactured a general line of silverware.

In the Summer of 1884 the firm removed to the building at the corner of Broadway, 17th St. and Union Square. At first they occupied the entire sixth floor and a part of the basement. Soon the factory again assumed proportions too small for the business, and in the Spring of 1891, the fifth floor of the same building was added. At the present time this extensive plant, occupying two floors of a large building running from 17th to 1 8th Sts., and a goodly part of the basement is a beehive of industry, every available foot of space being utilized. The present force numbers over 200 individuals.

In the Spring of 1888 the firm was organized as a joint stock company. In the organization several of the clerks were given an interest in the enterprise. The officers elected were: president, H. B. Dominick; vice-president and treasurer, L. B. Haff; and secretary, A. Dominick. A few weeks ago occurred the death of L. B. Haff. The house of Dominick & Haff have been uniformly and phenomenally successful. Starting as one of the smallest silversmithing concerns, they are recognized to-day as one of the largest.

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

Trev.

[dognose]

Dominick & Haff - New York - 1922

Trev.

[dognose]

Patents Granted by the United States:



Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 25th August 1920

Trev.

[chelsea98]

A Dominick & Haff mixed metal sugar bowl.

[dognose]

The display of silver which will adorn the tables at the nineteenth annual banquet of the New York Jewelers’ Association to be held at Delmonico’s, tomorrow evening, will be supplied by Dominick & Haff, 860 Broadway, and the Geo. W. Shiebler Co., 179 Broadway.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 22nd November 1893

Trev.

[dognose]

BOSTON

A dinner complimentary to Eugene J. Campbell, watch buyer for several years for Bigelow, Kennard & Co., and George Rappel, salesman for the same firm, was given Feb. 5 at the Winter Place Hotel, in this city. Mr. Campbell gives up his position to devote his time to musical affairs, being a member of the Beethoven Male Quartette. Mr. Rappel takes a position as traveling man for Dominick & Haff, New York. Upward of 25 associates of the two gentlemen in the jewelry establishment sat with them around the festal board and gave them the best of wishes for their future prosperity. To Mr. Campbell was presented an engraved “dress” gold cigar cutter and Mr. Rappel was the recipient of a traveling bag. The event was made very enjoyable by pleasing songs and witty impromptu remarks from several of the participants.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 12th February 1913

Trev.

[dognose]

New York

John Chatellier, for many years with Dominick & Haff, this city, has become a partner in the firm of Stephen Woods & Co.. manufacturers of silver novelties, Newark, N.J.

Source: The Keystone - August 1898

Trev.

[dognose]

Another example of the work and mark of Dominick & Haff:










This spoon is also struck with import marks for 1899 by the Glasgow Assay Office, sponsor, Thomas Smith & Son:


T.S & S - Glasgow - 1899

Trev.

[dognose]

NEW YORK

Dominick & Haff, silversmiths, are estabished in their new plant at 144 Orange St., Newark, N. J. The executive offices will remain at the present location, 543 W. 23d St.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 18th July 1923

Trev.

[dognose]

Dominick & Haff - New York - 1895

'GRAPE VINE'

Trev.

[dognose]

ATTLEBORO

Announcement is made of a change in the affairs of the Morse Pencil Co., which in the future will be known as Keller Mfg. Co. Edwin C. Keller, who has been identified with the silver business for many years, will be the manager. Mr. Keller has until recently been connected with the local branch of Dominick & Haff.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 30th May 1923

Trev.

[dognose]

The case of Leo Lucas, an employe of Dominick & Haff, silversmiths, 104 County St., this city, who was insured in the Employes’ Liability Assurance Corporation, was heard recently by Chairman William W. Kennard, of the Division of Conciliation and Arbitration of the State Department of Labor, at Boston, and an announcement of the decision given a few days ago. The case came before the Board on a claim for compensation for an injury received June 5, 1924, by a 250-pound die falling on the employe’s right foot while he was working in the stamping department of the concern. Compensation had not been paid because of a dispute as to the length of the disability. Chairman Kennard, in announcing an award, states that he found that the employe was injured as alleged, and that he was incapacitated for work from June 5 to July 14, at which date the incapacity for work ceased. The average weekly wage was $40 and that he is entitled to compensation at the rate of $16 per week, amounting to $75.43.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 12th November 1924

Trev.