The Baltimore Silver Trade

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JOHN KAHN & Co.

234, Park Avenue, Baltimore


Receivers Appointed for John Kahn & Co., Baltimore, Md.

Baltimore. Md.. June 4.—Albert Gill and Bernhard Cline were appointed yesterday by United States Judge Morris as receivers for the assets of John Kahn and Solomon Fernheimer. conducting a retail jewelry business at 234 Park Ave., as John Kahn & Co.

An involuntary petition in bankruptcy was filed against the concern a short time ago, the liabilities having been estimated at between $21,000 and S25,000. It is claimed that the concern has stock valued at $6,000 and outstanding accounts amounting to $10,000.

The receivers were bonded for $8,000 and will act until the selection of a trustee in bankruptcy.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 10th June 1908

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A.H. FETTING - A.H. FETTING MANUFACTURING JEWELRY Co.

14-16, St. Paul Street, later, 213, North Liberty Street, Baltimore



A.H. Fetting - Baltimore - 1898


A.H. Fetting - Baltimore - 1899


A.H. Fetting - Baltimore - 1900


A.H. Fetting - Baltimore - 1902


A.H. Fetting - Baltimore - 1905


A.H. Fetting - Baltimore - 1905


A.H. Fetting - Baltimore - 1908


A.H. Fetting - Baltimore - 1915


A.H. Fetting Manufacturing Jewelry Co. - Baltimore - 1920


A.H. Fetting - Baltimore - 1921


A.H. Fetting - Baltimore - 1921


A.H. Fetting Manufacturing Jewelry Co. - Baltimore - 1922

Established in 1873.

The K. A. button (or pin) authorized by the convention is not designed to be a substitute for the badge. It is to be worn by the member who, for one reason or another, has not yet obtained a badge. Its low price (one dollar) puts it in the reach of everyone. Members of Alpha Lambda find it useful in addition to the badge, wearing the latter attached to the vest, and the button outside on the lapel of the coat. Thus when the coat is buttoned up and the badge is hid, the K. A. symbol is still displayed. Members of other chapters who give their badges to the "sister" to wear, themselves wear the K. A. button. The Order is in this kept in evidence among the collegiates. The "sister" is happy and the world knows her "brother" when it sees him.

When the button comes into general use it is expected to be particularly serviceable as a means of recognition among K. A.'s when traveling. It is easily distinguished at a distance. The crimson cross pattee, with the letters "K. A.," on a background of white, attracts attention. Alumni will, it is believed, wear the button to a much greater extent than they have been accustomed to wear the badge. The size is seven sixteenths of an inch square. The buttons are made by A. H. Fetting, 14 St. Paul street, Baltimore, who will supply any member sending him one dollar.

Source: The Kappa Alpha Journal - 1893


PENNYWEIGHTER' SENTENCED

Rothery, Alias "McClelland," Goes to Prison for Four Years for Jewelry Theft in Baltimore

Baltimore, Md., Nov. 18.–After a long series of court battles Herbert M. Rothery, 64 years old, alias "Henry McClelland," known in police circles as the "international pennyweighter," was sentenced to four years in the Maryland Penitentiary, here, Wednesday, by Judge Charles F. Stein, of the Criminal Court. Rothery was tried and convicted a month ago of the theft of jewelry valued at $1,400 from the A. H. Fetting Manufacturing Jewelry Co. Rothery, according to Detective Lieutenant Charles A. Kahler, is now under indictment in Syracuse, N. Y., for the theft of jewelry valued at $4,000.

Rothery has a police record dating back to 1886, according to Detective Kahler. He was arrested here three years ago, after disposing of a quantity of jewelry. He was released on bail and when his case was called to trial he did not respond. Subsequently he was arrested in St. Louis, Mo., and was brought here by Detective Kahler.

Rothery has powerful friends in New York and Chicago. Through these friends ready bail was forthcoming whenever he was arrested. Rothery's record is well known to the Pinkerton National Detective Agency. For many years he has been recognized as one of the most dangerous thieves operating against the jewelers of the country.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 22nd November 1922



Fetting to close its doors Jewelry store opened in Baltimore in 1873

April 12, 1991|By Michael Pollick

It started on Sept. 1, 1873, when 20-year-old Anton H. Fetting set up shop at 8 E. German St., specializing in the custom manufacturing of jewels.

It will begin winding down next week, with a going-out-of-business sale starting next Friday as the Towson Town Center's A. H. Fetting jewelry company closes after 118 years as a family-owned business.

John H. "Jack" Fetting Jr., who has run the business since his father died in 1957, says he is nearly 68 years old and is "blessed with children whose distinctions abound in other fields."

If he stayed on at Towson Town, Mr. Fetting said, he would have to negotiate a new long-term lease and remodel his store.

"If I were 47 or 57 I would do it without question, because I have confidence in the expansion that is under way here."

The shopping center is undergoing a huge expansion that will more than double its space and will include the area's first Nordstrom's department store.

A. H. Fetting's history mirrors the Baltimore area's growth.

Burned out by the Great Fire of 1904, the company joined with other merchants to rebuild, reopening at 213 Liberty St. downtown.

In 1927, it moved to North Charles Street, and it later expanded there by renting adjacent buildings.

Anticipating the importance of the emerging suburbs, the firm opened a branch location in 1959 in what is now Towson Town Center.

The Charles Street store was closed in 1979, but the company still has its offices, repair facilities and storage on North Charles Street.

"Clearly, I have mixed emotions," said Mr. Fetting. "I don't have any plans, and I will need to find some kind of activity, whether volunteer work or whatever. I'm not the kind of person who can sit around all day."

The store's regular customers have been invited to a close-out sale beginning next Friday. A "Farewell Sale" will be open to the public beginning Monday, April 22.

Source: The Baltimore Sun - 12th April 1991




John Howard Fetting Jr., 79, president of jewelry business in city, Towson

November 27, 2002|By Jacques Kelly | Jacques Kelly,SUN STAFF

John Howard Fetting Jr., former president of a well-known downtown and Towson jewelry business, died Sunday of a stroke at his North Baltimore home. He was 79.

The former president of A.H. Fetting Co., where he was an officer for 45 years, he also headed two merchants' groups, the Charles Street Association and the Towson Plaza Association.

Born in Baltimore, he was raised on 33rd Street in Waverly. He attended St. Bernard parochial school before graduating from Loyola High School in 1941, where he played varsity baseball and ice hockey.

"He was an accomplished and natural athlete," said James J. Lacy, his brother-in-law and a former Loyola College basketball top scorer. "Jack was a classy first baseman and an outstanding ice hockey player."

While at Holy Cross College in Worcester, Mass., he enlisted in the Marine Corps. After additional government-sponsored schooling at Villanova University, he became a lieutenant and was assigned to Hiroshima to help rebuild that Japanese city after the atomic bomb had been dropped. He completed his degree requirements at Loyola College in 1949, where he also played baseball.

In 1947, Mr. Fetting started as a salesman in the jewelry business founded here by his ancestors in 1873. A 1991 Evening Sun profile said of him, "As always, he was dressed in a conservative gray suit, looking more the part of an investment banker than a jeweler." In fact, Mr. Fetting had served a three-year term as a board member of the Baltimore branch of the Federal Reserve of Richmond in the 1960s.

"He was an important presence on Charles Street," said Walter Sondheim of the Greater Baltimore Committee. "He tried long and hard to sustain the quality of his business. He had high, high standards."

Family members said that in 1954, Mr. Fetting was interviewed by Walter Hoving, the chairman of Tiffany & Co. who later headed the Metropolitan Museum of Art, to become the Baltimore sales agency for Hoving's New York jewelry and gift store.

"When he returned home that day, he wasn't sure if he had passed the test," said his son, Mark R. Fetting of Lutherville. "But he did."

Mr. Fetting, who once said his customers "were discriminating and demanding," directed decorators to make sure his show windows possessed a sense of drama to create a simple, direct effect. The windows often featured Edward Boehm porcelain birds, diamonds and Rolex watches, as well as Tiffany gold and silver pieces.

In 1959, Mr. Fetting opened a second store in the Towson Plaza Shopping Center, and a decade later it was outselling the downtown Charles Street store. In 1979, he closed the downtown shop but kept his office and jeweler's workroom there.

"I have my own affection for downtown," he said. "The closing was a proper business decision, but it doesn't eliminate the emotional aspects of all this."

Colleagues recalled Mr. Fetting as a natural leader and congenial competitor. He led a group of Charles Street merchants each morning at an informal coffee hour at the old John Minor lunchroom. For more than four decades he belonged to the Charles Street Association, and in 1968, he was elected its president. Many of his friends called him Jack, but he got the nickname "Diamond" when he played squash at the Maryland Club, where he won championships.

In 1991, Mr. Fetting retired and closed his business. He mailed each customer an announcement. And as a way of wishing those final customers goodbye, his last show window featured a man tipping his hat to an audience from a stage. Behind him was a sign with a single word: "Farewell."

A Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 10 a.m. today at St. Ignatius Roman Catholic Church, Calvert and Madison streets.

Survivors also include his wife of 52 years, the former Mary Angela Lacy; another son, Dr. John H. Fetting III of Baltimore; three daughters, Dr. Margaret A. Fetting of Camarillo, Calif., M. Lacy Kotansky of New Freedom, Pa., and R. Jean Fetting of Little Rock, Ark.; and 12 grandchildren.

Source: The Baltimore Sun - 27th November 2002


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LENA BAUMBLATT

730, West Baltimore Street, Baltimore


One night last week a policeman discovered that a window in the store of Mrs. Lena Baumblatt, 730 West Baltimore street, had been broken and several articles stolen. A few days later three men were arrested while peddling jewelry, and a portion of the stolen goods were found in their possession.

Source: The Jewelers' Weekly - 19th December 1894

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TORSCH & FRANZ BADGE Co.

5, North Liberty Street, Baltimore



The Torsch & Franz Badge Co. - Baltimore - 1922

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J. HENRY HEIL

202, North Calvert Street, Baltimore


J. Henry Heil, Baltimore Jeweler, Accidently Asphyxiated While at Work in His Shop

Baltimore, Md., Aug. 24.—J. Henry Heil, Sr,, for over 40 years a manufacturing jeweler, was accidentally killed on Aug. 21 while working over his smelting pot. It seems that prior to lighting gas beneath the pot in which he was about to melt some metal, Mr. Heil turned on the stopcock in the pipe allowing the gas to escape and upon bending over was affected by the fumes. He had evidently tried to get to a window, but had been fatally stricken before he could accomplish his purpose. The windows were all closed and death ensued from asphyxiation.

The janitress of the building at 202 N. Calvert St., in which Mr. Heil had his shop, noticed a very strong odor of gas emanating from the room shortly before 9 o’clock in the morning and tried to open the door to investigate, but it was locked. She called to her husband and a window was forced by John A. Immler, engraver, a life long friend of Mr. Heil, but it was too late.

Mr. Heil was born in Hanault, Gennany, 93 years ago and learned his trade in his native land. He came to this country when about 16 years of age and continued in the jewelry business all his life. He was a member of several lodges and is survived by his widow, four sons and two daughters.

The funeral took place from his late residence, 2505 E. Preston St., with burial in Baltimore Cemetery. John A. Immler, Frank A. Persohn and August Thurn were among the pallbearers.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 30th August 1911

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HENRY G. VOIGT

217, North Eutaw Street, Baltimore


Richard Taylor was held in Baltimore, Md. last week on a charge of stealing a diamond ring from Henry G. Voigt, 217, North Eutaw Street.

Source: The Jewelers' Weekly - 27th March 1895

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JOSEPH B. BLOCH

1725, North Carey Street, Baltimore


Baltimore, Md., Sept. 14,—Lewis E. Goodrich has been appointed in the United States District Court receiver for the assets of Joseph B. Bloch, a jeweler, 1725 N. Carey St, after he had been adjudicated a bankrupt upon his own petition. The receiver bonded for $500. In his petition, filed through Edwin T. Dickerson, attorney, Mr. Bloch states that his liabilities are $7,579 and assets $5,718.

Mr. Bloch was for many years in the employ of B. Kahn & Bro. before starting in business for himself.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 20th September 1911

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JACOB SHAPOS

624, East Baltimore Street, Baltimore


Jewelry valued at $100 was stolen from a showcase in the vestibule of the jewelry store of Jacob Shapos, 624 E. Baltimore St, Wednesday afternoon, by a thief, who evidently was aided by a confederate. The theft happened in broad daylight, and when it was discovered Mr. Shapos saw that a piece of glass had been cut from the show-case just big enough for a man to place his hand through. It is believed that a confederate stood in a position to shield the glass cutter from view until the handful of jewelry was obtained.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 6th August 1919

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AUGEST LEMMERT & Co.

541, North Fremont Avenue, Baltimore


August Lemmert, who recentiy repurchased the retail establishment at Fremont Ave. and George St., intends to remain in the city until Sept. 1 at least. Soon after that date he will return to his store at Cocoa, Fla.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 21st June 1911


Harry Mendeloff, a first-class watch maker, formerly with C, C. Crooks, and Harry Langgood, a jewelry repairer, formerly with Julius Jenkins, have entered the employ of August Lemmert & Co., 541 N. Fremont Ave.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 21st June 1911

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ROYAL JEWELRY Co.

Munsey Building, Baltimore


Death of Solomon J. Solmson

Battimore, Md., Sept. 20.—The jewelry trade here lost a sterling character this week in the death of Solomon J. Solmson, managing director of the Royal Jewelry Co., with offices in the Munsey building. Mr. Solmson died Sept. 14. He was driving his automobile on Redwood St., near Eutaw St., when suddenly stricken with heart disease. A sample case containing jewelry valued at $5,000 lay on the seat beside him.

Mr. Solmson fell unconscious at the wheel of his car after having brought the machine to a stop. He was taken to University Hospital where he died within a few minutes.

Mr. Solmson’s death was a shock to the trade here. He had many friends. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Henrietta Gans Solmson. Funeral services were held Wednesday morning.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 24th September 1924

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CHRISTOPHER SOMMERMAN

Arlington, Baltimore


DIGS UP A LONG LOST RING

Mrs. Chris Sommerman of Arlington was overjoyed to find recently the wedding ring her husband, a Jeweler, had made for their marriage and which was lost fourteen years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Sommerman were married twenty-one years ago. The wedding ring was the work of Mr. Somrnerman. In June, 1899, it slipped from the hand of Mrs. Sommerman in the garden. Search proved futile. Although she was distressed at Its loss, Mrs. Sommerman still hoped that it would be found. Her hopes were realized the other day. A bright spot in the ground of the garden attracted her attention, and digging at it she disclosed the ring sentiment would never allow her to replace with an other.

Source: Morris County Chronicle- 15th July 1913

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JOHN WUNNENBERG

Baltimore


John Wunnenberg, 69 years old, quite prominent in northeast Baltimore as a watchmaker and jeweler, died recently at his home, 803 Asquith St., of pneumonia, after an illness of about four weeks. He was a prominent Catholic and was treasurer of the Society of the Knights of St. James. He is survived by a widow and daughter and two sons, Rev. Frank A. B. Wunnenberg, pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Washington, and Henry A. J. Wunnenberg.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 10th November 1909

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STEMAN & NORWIG

318, North Howard Street, Baltimore


AGAINST MOVE FOR PARDON

Baltimore Police to Fight Attempt to Release Gunmen Convicted of Robbing Jewelry Store Four Years Ago

Battimore, Md., Aug. 21.—That a strenuous effort is now under way to effect a pardon for Jacob Kramer and Leon Miller, two gunmen who were convicted here less than four years ago for cracking the safe of the jewelry store of Steman & Norwig, 318 N. Howard St. and stealing jewelry valued at $12,000 has come to light during the past week.

The attack at the Steman & Norwig store on Sept. 24, 1916, was one of the most successful safe-cracking jobs ever accomplished here. Four months later Kramer and Miller were captured in New York when they were about to board a steamer for Havana, Cuba. The Pinkerton National Detective Agency cooperated in a major degree with the Baltimore police in the apprehension of the yeggmen.

Powerful influences were at work then and are at work now to liberate the two convicted safe-crackers. Marshal Robert D. Carter and the entire Police Department here is opposed to a parole for Miller and Kramer. Marshal Carter told a correspondent of The Jewelers' Circular that he would fight the parole proposition to the end. The capture of the two men required months of diligent work by Headquarters Detectives P. B. Bradley, G. W. Armstrong and Herman Pohler. At one time Pohler was in Detroit, Armstrong covered New York and Bradley Boston.

The firm carried no insurance on the stock and but few pieces of the jewelry were recovered. Less than a year after his firm suffered the loss Harry Norwig, junior member, died suddenly of heart disease. During the past week two men called to see Marshal Carter to find out if he would oppose a parole for Miller and Kramer. What Marshal Carter told his visitors was in no mistaken terms. The Marshal declared that not only would he oppose a pardon for men of such calibre but that he would do his best to keep them locked up.

"After they have finished serving their term here,” said Marshal Carter, “I am going to re-arrest them for the New York authorities. Kramer and Miller are wanted by the New York authorities and there shall be no truce between this police department and those who are trying to turn loose such criminals." Marshal Carter said that he would carry the fight, if necessary, before Governor Ritchie to prevent the parole of Kramer and Miller.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 25th August 1920

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CHARLES C. CROOKS Co.

114, West Baltimore Street, Baltimore


The Charles C. Crooks Co., 114 W. Baltimore St., made the gold fob that was presented to Thomas J. Bishop, the retiring telegraph operator, by his friends all along the wires of the United Press service. The complete presentation consisted of a gold watch that was purchased from a jeweler in Newark and a handsomely engraved life membership card. Thomas A. Edison, the inventor, with whom Bishop worked many years ago, was one of the contributors. The telegraphers’ emblem was the pendant on the fob, while the watch was engraved with the facts of the presentation.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 9th April 1913

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LOUIS COHEN

Baltimore


Six months ago Louis Cohen, jeweler, was shot and killed in cold blood while defending his jewelry stock against an attack by bandits. Four men were caught and convicted within two months after the crime, two of the number, Claude Dobbs, the killer, and Thomas J. Foran, being sentenced to hang. State’s Attorney Herbert R. O’Conor is still fighting to see that the law take its course, while counsel for the convicted murderers have decided to take the case to the Court of Appeals. An attempt was made last week to introduce a new angle of testimony in the but State’s Attorney Herbert R. O’Conor promptly filed an effective petition against the move and the motion of counsel for the defense was denied by Chief Judge James P. Gorter and Associate Judges Eli Frank and Robert F. Stanton. The crime of which Dobbs, Foran, George Gross and Andrew Mullen were convicted was one of the most dastardly in the criminal history of the city. Mr. Cohen was shot through the head, dying a few minutes later. The State’s Attorney’s office work in the case was heartily commended on all sides, as was the work of Detective Captain Charles H. Burns and Detective Lieutenant James Manning. With a clear record of the case practically out of the hands of the Baltimore courts, State’s Attorney O’Conor now awaits the result of the appeal. Testimony of the trial and evidence will be sent to the Court of Appeals.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 10th December 1924

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THE FLORENCE STERLING SILVER Co.

Baltimore


The Florence Sterling Silver Co., of Baltimore, Md., has been incorporated with a capital stock of $6,000, to manufacture silver-plated ware and conduct the general business of silversmiths. The incorporators are F. Bucher, J. M. Postley, L. P. Maas, J. M. Smith and A.D. Thompson.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 14th December 1892

Perhaps to be identified with the Florence Silver Plate Co., see: viewtopic.php?f=38&t=50316&p=158401&hilit=florence#p158401

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WILLIAM F. PIETSCH

526, West Franklin Street, Baltimore


Mrs. Eva Pietsch, 51, years of age, wife of William F. Pietsch, jeweler, 526, W. Franklin St., died on Jan. 19.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 31st January 1900

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HEER-SCHOFIELD Co.

Baltimore



Heer-Schofield Co. - Baltimore - 1910

This business, which was established in 1903 as the Baltimore Silversmiths Mfg. Co., was styled under various names. The use of the Herr-Schofield Co. title occurred from c.1905 to 1928.

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BLUMENAUER, Inc.

206, West Saratoga Street, Baltimore


A new store has been opened at 206 W. Saratoga St. , under the name of Blumenauer, Inc. The members of the firm are R. E. Lee Blumenauer and Harold R. Quigley.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 7th November 1929

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EMRICH MATUSKY

1203, South Charles Street, Baltimore


Jewelry valued at nearly $200 was stolen a few nights ago from the show window of the store of Emrich Matusky, 1203 S. Charles St. , by a window smasher, who, evidently had timed the movements of the policeman working the beat. More than a year ago Mr. Matusky's store window was broken and a quantity of jewelry stolen by a window smasher. Patrolman Joseph Haupt passed the jewelry store and tried the door, finding it secure . Thirty-five minutes later the policeman passed the store and found the window broken. A brick wrapped in a newspaper was found lying near the window. Mr. Matusky told police that a tray of rings and several watches were taken by the thief.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 28th November 1929

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