The Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade

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THEODORE W. FOSTER & BRO. Co.

Providence, Rhode Island


During a high wind one night last week the large sign on the front of the Theodore W. Foster & Bro. Co.'s factory. Providence, R.I., was blown down from the building into the street, where it obstructed traffic considerably until it was removed.

Source: The Trader - June 1900

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NEW STYLE HOPI SILVER

Northern Arizona


Despite the beautiful craftsmanship of the Hopi in pottery, basketry and weaving, silver jewelry has never been widely made. Old Hopi explain this as due to the association of silver work with the early Spanish conquistadores, whom the Hopi expelled in 1680.

About 1935, Dr. Harold Colton of the Museum of Northern Arizona, encouraged Fred Kabotie, the artist, and Paul Saufkie, a craftsman, to apply traditional Hopi designs to silver and turquoise. The results were both beautiful and original.

Last year, arrangements were made under the GI training program for Paul Saufkie to devote his entire time to working with a group of returned Hopi veterans who aspired to become silversmiths. The design of all of the articles was supervised by Kabotie. After six months of work, many bracelets, brooches, necklaces and rings have been produced which are entirely different in design from the silver work of either the Navajo or the Zuni.

During the Christmas holidays, some of the new Hopi jewelry was offered for sale at the Indian Craft Shop in Washington, and found a ready interest. In the spring, the first complete display of the new Hopi work will be held at the Museum of Northern Arizona under Dr. Colton's sponsorship.

The graduate craftsmen are forming a guild, and a new class will begin work this spring. Gradually the new style jewelry will find its competitive place with that of older craftsmen in silver.

Source: Indian Education - 15th January 1949

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UNITED SILVER Co.

Newark, New Jersey


Fred H. Clark has succeeded the United Silver Co., and is doing plated work and making silver goods at 129, Oliver street, Newark, N.J.

Source: Metal Record and Electroplater - October 1915

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SUPERIOR SILVER Co. - MODERN SILVER Co.

Brooklyn, New York


Irving L. Goldman, formerly connected with the Superior Silver Co., Brooklyn, N. Y., has engaged in business for himself at 137 Hester St., this city, where he will carry a full line of silver plated ware under the name of the Modern Silver Co.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 26th July 1922

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RAISING FUNDS FOR A SOUTH AMERICAN WAR

Peru


We read that patriotism of a most substantial kind has been displayed by the ladies of Peru, by their contribution of a considerable portion of their personal jewellery towards the expenses of the war against Chili. Judging from a recent sale which took place in this country of old gold and silver Peruvian ornaments, the voluntary sacrifice must have been great, a single day's sale realising 10,000 odd pounds. Among the articles enumerated in the list of this historically interesting sale are numbered an antique chased gold monstrance, enriched with a multitude of precious stones, which alone fetched £2,000 ; another monstrance of the same material, set with diamonds and topazes, brought in nearly £1,000 ; while a fine old cluster of brilliants was found to be valued at £111; an antique brilliant ring, £175; a pair of antique pearl and diamond earings, £235 ; a pelican of the wilderness, life-size, wrought in solid silver and decorated with precious stones, £380.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 5th September 1881

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HENRY SCHNEIDER, GERMAN SPY?

Bay Shore, Long Island, New York


Henry Schneider, a jeweler of Bay Shore, L. I., is temporarily interned at Ellis Island, charged with being a German spy. Schneider was arrested in a raid on a Bay Shore radio station on Tuesday, Dec. 18. The Government officers charge Schneider with breaking the seal of a wireless station which had been sealed by a Government order. Government officials claim that the wireless station, on the building of Schneider's neighbor, has been in operation since war was declared, contrary to President Wilson's order.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 26th December 1917

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THE BOSS PATENT WATCHCASE SAVES THE LIFE OF A SCOTTISH SOLDIER

Aberdeen


A CLOSE SHAVE

"During my stay in Aberdeen I took occasion to visit the barracks and have a talk with some of the members of the Gordon Highlanders who were quartered there. One of them, Sgt. Monroe, struck me as being a particularly good specimen of the British soldier, and noticing that he wore upon his breast the English and Egyptian war medals, I made his acquaintance, and drew from him an account of his adventurous career. The Sergeant had seen active service in India, Ashantee, Afghan, and last of all in Egypt, and had of course had some very narrow shaves from being killed. He apparently bore a charmed life, for though he could show scars from assigis, lance, bullets and sword cut, he was apparently as strong and vigorous as he had ever been in his life. " My narrowest escape," said he, " was at Tel-el-Kiber. As you know, we stormed Arabi Bey's entrenchments at daybreak, and that the Highlanders and the Irish did the bulk of the fighting. Well, no sooner was the signal to ' Charge ' sounded than up the embankment we rushed like so many devils. From the top we poured in one volley and then went into them with the bayonet. They couldn't stand cold steel, and we slaughtered them there in the outer defense works like so many sheep. Then they broke and ran, and as they scrambled over the second line of earthworks, we went with them pell mell and kept up the fight hot and heavy on the other side. I was a little ahead of my company, and my blood being up I was doing my level best to knock as many of them out of time as I could. I had polished off two and was going for the third when he suddenly turned and faced me, and being joined at that instant by a couple of his comrades, they went for me. Finding it was do or die, I rushed at them and killed the foremost one by a bayonet thrust clear through the chest. As he fell I made a thrust for the second, but he was too quick for me and caught my bayonet with his hand and in a moment I had dropped my rifle and we were struggling like two bulldogs for dear life. A glance showed me that the third fellow had his rifle ready but could not fire at me for fear of hitting his comrade. My old boxing experience now stood me in good stead and I soon let my oppanent have a blow behind the ear, which quieted him. As I was getting on my feet however, the third chap fired at me almost point blank and shot me fair in the breast, knocking me over. I was on my feet in a moment, but before I could help myself he was on me with his bayonet. A moment more and I would have been in Kingdom Come, but Geordie McKenzie here rushed in at that instant and ran him through. As you know, the actual time of fighting was short, probably it was not over ten minutes after the first rush that the whole thing was over. When I came to examine my wound I found to my astonishment that the Egyptian soldier's bullet had hit fair on my watch and thus saved my life. The watch shewed a dent on the outer case, but the works were all right and have kept as good time as ever. It's the greatest curiosity I have, and I'd not part with it for anything." Sgt. Monroe subsequently let me see the watch, which plainly showed the dent of the bullet on the back, but being good and heavy, the dome inside and the works were both uninjured. The watch looked like a fine gold one, but the Sergeant said it was one of those American Boss patent gold cases that are now being sold in this country. I offered him a ten pound note for it, but although it probably didn't cost him much over the half of that sum, he refused to part with it at any price. It certainly was a narrow escape, and I don't wonder that Sgt. Monroe refuses to part with the proof of it. The Gordon Highlanders are a splendid body of men, and I shall long remember my visit to their quarters with a great deal of pleasure."

"Hotspur," in the London Chronicle.

Reprinted in The Trader - November 1883

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CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

London


The London Chamber of Commerce purposes constituting a section specially to consider the interests of the Gold and Silver trades. This important body comprising representatives of the most influential City houses, cannot fail to have great weight with the Government whenever the question of the plate duties, hall-marking, &c., is again brought forward. In connection with this subject, we note with pleasure the nomination by Sir Sydney Waterlow, M.P., of Mr. Alfred Bedford, of the American Watch Company, for election to Membership of the Chamber. We hope this means that the experience and judgment of Mr. Bedford is considered of value, and wiil be availed of when the aforesaid section is constituted.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 5th April 1882

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INTENTIONS OF A NEW MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

London


Captain Penton, the new member for Clerkenwell, announces his intention of following up the action of the Horological Institute to confine the English hall-mark to national productions.

Source: The Horological Journal - September 1886

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CURIOUS FIND INSIDE A WATCH

Louisville, Kentucky


Matt Irion & Sons are attracting considerable attention to a display in their show window. They have displayed a piece of cloth on which is written the Lord's Prayer in such small letters that it cannot be read with the naked eye, but has a large magnifying glass suspended over it in such a way that it can easily be read. Under the display is a card explaining that it had been taken from a watch that had been bought as a relic and was written in 1831 by a man who had done the writing with his toes.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 7th August 1918

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UNHAPPY TIMES AT INTERNATIONAL SILVER

Meriden, Connecticut


January 10. 1916. The year of 1915 is closing in anything but a satisfactory manner for the manufacturers in Meriden, where tableware,-silverware, etc., is a most important product. The closing weeks of the year have been given over to a monster strike which was joined by a large percentage of all the employes in the city. As yet this strike is not settled, although it is reported that as the cold weather increases more men are being compelled to return to their former jobs without having earned a victory.

On December 30 an announcement was made at the factory of the Manning, Bowman & Company, a branch of the International Silver Company, that all employes who remained loyal and did not join the strike now in progress would receive as a New Year's gift an amount equal to two and one-half cents an hour for every hour they have worked since October 4. The office force, with the exception of the high salaried men, will also receive sums proportionate to their incomes.

At the office of the International Silver Company proper, where a strike is still on, it was announced that effective January 1 the shops would go on a new schedule whereby the workmen will receive more pay for fifty-five hours work than they have been getting for sixty hours. Women employes will receive a minimum wage of twelve and one-half cents per hour.

The same schedule and rate of pay, it was stated, will also go into effect at the Manning, Bowman & Company factory on the new year.
These facts should be of much interest to other manufacturers, as the Meriden strike has been one of the biggest and most expensive in the east, and already one disastrous riot has occurred in which a number of shots were exchanged with the police and guards.

Source: The Metal Industry - January 1916

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ROGERS & DAVIS Inc.

New York


Rogers & Davis, Inc., New York City, has been incorporated with $100,000 capital, to engage in the manufacture of silver and silver-plated ware. The officers of the company are Roland M. Davis, M. Fryeberg and Geo. R. Riley.

Source: Metal Record and Electroplater - May 1916

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THE CONSUMPTION OF SILVER

India


When it is realized that approximately one-fifth of the human race uses the silver rupee for its currency and that the piece enjoys a distribution greater than any other silver coin, the importance of any regulation affecting the rupee becomes apparent. Furthermore, the Indian government is the world's greatest consumer of silver, and by its own action has “fixed” a minimum price for silver purchases. As long as India sustains this arrangement it will be possible to dispose of silver to that country at prevailing high prices.

Source: Brass World and Platers' Guide - May 1920

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PROBLEMS IN THE CANADIAN PLATING INDUSTRY

Toronto and Hamilton


It is stated on pretty good authority that the " Meriden Britannia Co." has bought out the Canadian business of the " Meriden Silver Plate Co.," and will shortly close up the plating rooms in Toronto and do the work at the Hamilton factory. The electro-plate business has heretofore been overdone, but now that the " Derby Silver Co." has closed up altogether and the " Meriden Silver Plate Co." is practically out of the race, there is an improved prospect for those that are left. As usual, it is the survival of the fittest.

Source: The Trader - October 1884

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THE STATE OF THE TRADE

Birmingham and Sheffield


Electro-platers have again become very busy. Large orders are being executed for hotels, clubs, restaurants, ship-reconditioning both at home and abroad. The spoon and fork business is particularly good. The jewelry trade, though the approach of Christmas has given a little stimulus to business, is still working a good deal of short time, whereas at the beginning of the year overtime was being worked to cope with the requirements of the home trade alone and foreign orders were being refused. German competition is beginning to be felt, while in the gold and silver chain departments there are complaints of increasing dumping from America of machine-made chain. The comparative cheapness of gold in the United States favors the American manufacturer as against the British in this and other departments of the jewelry trade. Makers of the more costly silverware in Birmingham and Sheffield find business falling off considerably. Orders are not being renewed and short time in the silversmiths' trade is becoming more and more general.

Source: The Metal Industry - January 1921

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SAVES THREE LIVES

Greenwood, Massachusetts


Jewelry Salesman Leaps from Auto and Rescnes Mother and Two Children from Drowning

Attleboro, Mass., Aug. 11.—George T. Rioux, traveling salesman for the Bliss Bros. Co., saved three lives at Greenwood lake Monday by his quick action. He was motoring with Augustus Baker when his attention was attracted to a woman and two children who were struggling in the water. Their plight was unknown until they suddenly called for help.

Rioux stopped the machine and without waiting to take off his shoes plunged in. He brought ashore a three-year-old child and a 14-year-old boy; then returning saved the mother who was nearly exhausted. By that time the boy, who was confused, waded into the lake again instead of wading to shore and Rioux had to dive after him again.

First aid restored all three and the mother explained that the youngsters stepped off a ledge into deep water and that she also went beyond her depth trying to save them. The family is one of those spending the Summer at the lake.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 18th August 1920

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COLONEL BIGNEY'S CAMPAIGN

Providence, Rhode Island


The trade has become interested in the campaign of Col. Sidney O. Bigney. who declares that false marking of jewelry must stop and that the law must be observed. By meaning of advertisements in the trade papers, he served notice to the trade that violations would not be allowed to pass unnoticed after August 1.

His first letter to the trade said: “I want your support in stamping out one of the most detestable evils which exists today in the jewelry industry, namely, the false stamping of goods by unscrupulous manufacturers, or in other words, pirating the truth for the sole purpose of personal gain, which not only deceives. but robs the innocent person.

"These men properly come under the Rooseveltian ban of ‘undesirable citizens.‘ State and federal laws are sufficient to protect dealers from such methods. This is just the beginning of a campaign which will be an eye-opener to many dealers who believe they have been buying one-tenth gold chain. Fair-minded manufacturers do not object to honest competition. These men are going to quit this robber's scheme and it will be the business of the federal authorities to look after them.

“Anyone who has knowingly violated the law which went into effect on June 13, 1907, forbidding the false stamping of gold, silver or plated goods, is a self-convicted criminal.”

George H. Holmes. of Providence, president of the New England Jewelers’ & Silversmiths’ Association, declared when asked concerning the Bigney campaign that the object was a worthy one, but that it should be attained through the medium of the association or like association. He implied that Col Bigney was seeking to advertise himself. In response, the Attleboro jeweler announced that if Mr. Holmes would publicly agree to take up the question and convince the public that the organization would carry on the reform fearlessly, he would have nothing more to say on the subject. The Bigney ads for the last week in July carried no reference to the campaign, and the trade awaited the outcome with growing interest.

Source: The Metal Industry - August 1911

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MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES

London


"Gentlemen of the Jury, there is still another extenuating circumstance in favour of my client. He broke open a burglarproof safe, a masterpiece of workmanship, valued by experts at £150, and this client of mine contented himself with £40 he found inside, and left the valuable safe to the owner."

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st December 1888

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HUGE DIAMOND ON DISPLAY AT SELFRIDGES

London


What is claimed to be "one of the finest diamonds in the world" has been placed on view in the jewelry department of the Selfridge store, London, by Captain C. R. Lucas, D. S. O., who brought the gem from South Africa, where it had been regarded as a mascot. Lucas discovered the stone just before the world war. For seven months the captain and his partner had had wretched luck on their claim at Droogeveld, 50 miles from Kimberley, and they had decided to abandon the diggings. The day before departure, however, a Kaffir boy rushed to them shouting: "Look, Baas, a diamond." It was an amber-colored stone weighing 178½ carats. Other big finds followed. The stone was placed in the hands of Bernard Oppenheimer, the well-known diamond magnate, who undertook the cutting and polishing. The cutting occupied three months and cost $1,360. The stone was thus reduced to a pure, flawless amber diamond weighing 61½ carats.

During the war the diamond reposed in the National Bank of South Africa, Capt. Lucas having placed his services at the disposal of the South African government. His diamond is now drawing large crowds.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 4th February 1920

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PLATINUMSMITHS' LEAGUE

New York


Frederick Keim has been elected president of the Platinumsmiths' league. The other officers are: Treasurer, James A. Goewez; secretary, Walter P. McTeigue; directors, M. L. Girdany, James A. Goewey, L. Matray, Walter P. McTeigue, George Schuyler.

Source: Metal Record and Electroplater - February 1918

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