Re: Information Regarding Backes & Strauss
Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2022 4:34 am
by dognose
Siegfried Strauss, of Backes & Strauss, diamond merchants, London, England, called on the trade in Toronto last week.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 30th August 1899
Trev.
Re: Information Regarding Backes & Strauss
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2022 4:59 am
by dognose
MR PRITCHARD MORGAN AND THE EISTEDDFOD
The Gold Baton
While I was conversing with Mr Pritchard Morgan yesterday, what I may call t non-political instrument arrived. It was the baton of Welsh gold, which had just come to hand from the makers, London. At my request, the case containing it was opened, and I saw that Welsh gold was as much to be admired as any other. The design of this baton had been decided upon after some consultation between the Wrexham committee and Mr Pritchard Morgan, It is decidedly a thing of beauty, and a joy which many a choir will doubtless covet. It is not a thing of yesterday, however, for its production was ordered half a year ago, and the fashioners, Messrs Backes and Strauss, 64, High Holborn, have evidently done their work thoroughly and without haste. On the eve of the National Eisteddfod at Wrexham the artistic baton is completed, and on Tuesday Mr Pritchard Morgan takes it with him to North Wales and redeems the promise he made to offer it in connection with choral competition at the Welsh national gatherings. In response to repeated requests from gentlemen of all shades of politics, Mr Pritchard Morgan consented to allow it to be shown to the public, and it was exhibited in Mr E. P. Biddle's window, High-street, The baton is 21 inches long, and tapers symmetrically, It is enamelled, and set with garnets and pearls. At the extreme point is the tripod, chased and surrounded by laurels. Then follows a bar of music and a band of garnets and pearls. For about ten inches the old is plain and burnished. Then comes a band containing various emblems such as acorns and oak leaves. The Prince of Wales' plumes are below these, enamelled, with a couple of leeks around. Next is seen the Red Dragon, bearing in his arms a shield with four lions rampant. Then a pretty circle of pearls, with laurels than in the gold, raised, a bard with his harp — this and other emblems being repeated on the other side. Then a band-like inscription burnt in the gold-" Mor o an yw Cymry Gyd (Wales is a sea of song.)'* On each side is an enamelled eye of light then another inscription, Eisteddfod cenedlsi thol Cymru," after which, in the gold, we read, "Presented by William Pritchard Morgan, Esq., to the (here a blank is left for the present) who have won it two successive years against all comers in the Welsh choral competitions." A ring or band of pearls, and the handle terminates in an artistic display of golden oak leaves, relieved by garnets.
Source: South Wales Echo - 1st September 1888
Trev.