The Jet Industry

For information you'd like to share - Post it here - not for questions
dognose
Site Admin
Posts: 59003
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2005 12:53 pm
Location: England

Re: The Jet Industry

Post by dognose »

Image
Theodore W. Foster & Bro. Co. - Providence, R.I. - 1914

Trev.
dognose
Site Admin
Posts: 59003
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2005 12:53 pm
Location: England

Re: The Jet Industry

Post by dognose »

H. ASHWORTH & Co.

37, Spencer Street, Birmingham


Image
H. Ashworth & Co. - Birmingham - 1874

Late with J.P. Turner & Co.

Trev.
dognose
Site Admin
Posts: 59003
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2005 12:53 pm
Location: England

Re: The Jet Industry

Post by dognose »

ISAAC LANGDALE

Baxtergate, Whitby


ISAAC LANGDALE, STANDARD JET WORKS, BAXTERGATE, WHITBY

This important and extensive business was founded by its present principal, Mr. Isaac Langdale, in 1878, and has had a very successful career under his able and energetic management. The premises occupied are of considerable extent, and comprise show-room, offices, and warehouse on the first floor of a three-storey building, the work-rooms being on the second floor. These latter are fully equipped with the most improved modern machinery, and here the various processes of jet manufacture are extensively carried on. The jet is received in the rough, and is skinned, cut, ground, polished, and skilfully wrought into a great variety of beautiful and artistic forms.

Mr. Langdale has played a very active part in the development of the Whitby jet industry, and in securing for its products that recognition which should enable them to be readily distinguished from the inferior goods made in foreign jet, the real value of which is very much below that of the Whitby jet. As the result of a considerable discussion it was decided a couple of years ago to adopt a system of classification of the different qualities of jet, and to give a guarantee, either by a trade-mark, or in some other significant manner, of each article manufactured. By this means it was hoped to restore the Whitby jet trade to its former flourishing and prosperous condition. As the decadence of the trade seemed mainly due to the fact that dealers at a distance were often imposed upon by unscrupulous manufacturers of inferior goods, which many dealers were unable to distinguish from the real article, it is very likely that the new arrangement will have a salutary influence upon this highly interesting local industry. Mr. Langdale was one of the chief agitators for this reform, and he was the first to adopt a trade-mark, which he has duly registered. This trade-mark stands as a guarantee of the genuine quality of the jet ornaments and jewellery with which it is associated, and it has gained the respect of the trade in consequence.

Mr. Langdale has also broken fresh ground by taking up the manufacture of all kinds of millinery, dress and mantle ornaments, buttons, buckles, fancy pins, hat and hair ornaments, floral sprays, &c. In this department he is a pioneer, showing a splendid assortment of new and suitable designs, which are calculated to appeal to the tastes of the better classes, and thus to bring in real Whitby jet goods as a substitute for the black glass imitations that flood the market under the name of French jet. Nothing in the shape of black jewellery or ornaments can for a moment compare with genuine Whitby hard jet in lustre, durability, and unchanging colour. Moreover, this famous material is much lighter than any kind of foreign jet or glass imitation, and is capable of being wrought in designs far more elegant and beautiful.

Mr. Langdale’s manufactures in jet jewellery, ornaments, &c., touch perfection as nearly as perfection can be attained, and some of his work it would be impossible to excel. A notable instance in point is that of an ornamental jet casket, designed and manufactured at the Standard Jet Works, which obtained the highest prize given for jet exhibits at the competition of the Turners’ Company, London, October, 1885. This superb piece of work won on that occasion the first prize silver medal, together with the freedom of the Worshipful Company of Turners, and the freedom of the City of London, presented by the Lord Mayor at the Mansion House,, October 30th, 1885, for excellence of workmanship in turning, carving, and original design. The above is the most important and valuable prize given in any competition of jet ornaments since 1873.

With regard to the rivalry of foreign jet, it is computed that, since the importation of that material commenced, more than two-thirds of the jet goods manufactured in England have been made from foreign jet, and, in most cases, sold as Whitby jet. When it is remembered that the value of the raw material in foreign jet is not one-fourth that of the finest Whitby hard jet, it will be readily seen that the system of classification was adopted none too soon. Mr. Langdale deserves great credit for the active part he played in bringing about such a system, and also for the inflexible manner in which he has adhered to it, even at considerable pecuniary loss. He has his reward in the increased esteem in which his house is held by dealers; and he hopes it will be conducive to the general renewal of confidence in the entire Whitby jet trade. The classification adopted is as follows:— “No. A1, Genuine Whitby Hard Jet; No. 1, Foreign Hard Jet; No. 2, Soft Jet.” Only the A1 and No. 1. qualities show the trade-mark.

Mr. Langdale personally supervises the whole of his extensive business, and besides doing an important and growing home trade, he exports largely to the Continent, France and Germany being the foreign markets in which his excellent manufactures meet with especial favour. Mr. Langdale is also the patentee and sole manufacturer of an improved brooch fastener which seems destined to largely supersede the old inefficient and clumsy fastener at present in use. A limited liability company is in process of formation for manufacturing this brooch fastener in Birmingham with a view to adequately placing this really useful invention before the public, which has been well received by the wholesale jewellery trade, and has been favourably noticed by the trade organs. Of this company Mr. Langdale has accepted the post of managing director.


Source: Progress - Commerce - 1893

Trev.
dognose
Site Admin
Posts: 59003
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2005 12:53 pm
Location: England

Re: The Jet Industry

Post by dognose »

CHARLES BRYAN

The West Cliff Whitby Jet Works, 5, Well Close Square, West Cliff, Whitby


CHARLES BRYAN, MANUFACTURER OF JET ORNAMENTS AND JEWELLERY, THE WEST CLIFF WHITBY JET WORKS, 5, WELLCLOSE SQUARE, WEST CLIFF, WHITBY

From very early times indeed jet has been worked in Whitby and vicinity, and the manufacture of jet ornaments of various kinds is an art with which we instinctively associate the name of this ancient and important seaport. Nowhere in the world is such wonderfully fine jet met with as that yielded by the Whitby district, and nowhere has the art of working it been carried to such a pitch of perfection. In this interesting and unique industry a leading place is held by Mr. Charles Bryan, whose business dates from the year 1810, and is now the largest undertaking of its kind in the town. Founded in the first place by Mr. George Bryan, this concern came into the hands of the founder’s son (also named George Bryan) in 1847, and a year later it was taken over by the present proprietor, Mr. Charles Bryan, another son of the founder. He it was who built the large and commodious premises in Wellclose Square, which were completed in 1867. They are known as the West Cliff Whitby Jet Works, and are doubtless the largest works of their kind in existence. Splendidly arranged and perfectly equipped in all parts, they afford the most ample warehouse and factory accommodation; and all the processes of treating the jet, from the rough state to the beautifully wrought and highly finished ornament eventually produced, are carried out under the most favourable conditions of manual skill and mechanical facility.


Mr. Bryan holds the largest stock of high-class jet goods in the world, and it will be readily understood that this stock is exceptionally valuable when we say that it consists of genuine Whitby hard jet, designed and carved into the most elegant and fanciful forms. Exceedingly beautiful are the majority of the designs exhibited in the spacious show-rooms of this establishment, and among the masterpieces of artistic workmanship here on view we noticed a splendidly carved bust of George Washington, another of the First Napoleon, a fine head of Napoleon III. and of the Empress Eugenie, and a most interesting reproduction in miniature of Whitby Abbey, as it appeared in 1825. There are also shown here a head of John Wesley, a head of the poet Tasso, a head of Mary Queen of Scots, and heads of many other distinguished personages, all of these works being fine pieces of sculpture and unsurpassable examples of the jet-worker’s art. The assortment of brooches, bracelets, and other jewellery and ornaments may be regarded as unrivalled in beauty and quality, and reveals in a striking manner the resources of Whitby’s beautiful and artistic industry, which is so admirably exemplified in all its phases at Mr. Charles Bryan’s establishment.

Mr. Bryan has always taken the deepest interest in the Whitby jet industry, to which he has devoted the whole of his life, and it may truly be said that no other individual has done more than he has to maintain the reputation of this fascinating branch of artistic handicraft. He spares no expense to produce jet goods of every kind in the highest state of perfection, both as regards design and workmanship, and he has gained a great number of local and international awards and medals, which testify to the importance of his achievements and to the high standing of his house in the trade.

Of course jet has had to endure the usual vicissitudes of fortune as a fashionable ornament, and of late years it has not been in such large demand as formerly. The decrees of fashion, however, seem to move in cycles, and there are not wanting indications of the revival of jet ornaments in fashionable circles. What the jet industry once was may be understood when we say that Mr. Charles Bryan at one time had over one hundred and seventy workers in his employ. His staff now is not so large, but is always thoroughly efficient, and by carefully maintaining the old standard of excellence in everything produced, a good steady business is kept up. There will always be a certain demand for the unequalled jet goods of Whitby, which foreign manufacturers can never hope to rival in genuine worth and beauty, and as long as such a demand exists, Mr. Bryan’s well-known and old-established house, with the reputation and resources of many years to recommend it, will assuredly play an important part in meeting the same. The whole of this interesting and admirably organised business is personally superintended by Mr. Bryan himself, and the manner in which its affairs are administered inspires continuous confidence in a widespread and influential connection.


Source: Progress - Commerce - 1893

Trev.
dognose
Site Admin
Posts: 59003
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2005 12:53 pm
Location: England

Re: The Jet Industry

Post by dognose »

STEPHEN FERAN

28, Summer Hill Terrace, Birmingham


Notices to Creditors

Feran, Stephen, Jeweler and Jet Ornament Manufacturer, 28, Summer Hill Terrace, Birmingham. Proofs by July 25. Trustee : Official Receiver, Birmingham.


Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st August 1892

Trev.
dognose
Site Admin
Posts: 59003
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2005 12:53 pm
Location: England

Re: The Jet Industry

Post by dognose »

MATTHEW TRATTLES

Whitby


Bankruptcy Proceedings, &c.

Trattles, Matthew, Whitby, Jet Ornament Manufacturer, &c. May 5. Examination at the Stockton-on-Tees and Middlesbrough Courts, on May 15.


Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 5th June 1885

Trev.
dognose
Site Admin
Posts: 59003
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2005 12:53 pm
Location: England

Re: The Jet Industry

Post by dognose »

WILLIAM BROWN

3, Durham Cottages, Scarborough


BILLS OF SALE

Brown, William, 3, Durham Cottages, Scarborough, jet worker. Dec. 29. £10 8s., &c. Given to the Commercial Loan Company.


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

Trev.
dognose
Site Admin
Posts: 59003
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2005 12:53 pm
Location: England

Re: The Jet Industry

Post by dognose »

CHARLES MONKMAN - JOHN FOX - ALFRED MONKMAN

Scarborough


BILLS OF SALE

Monkman, Charles, Frier's Gardens, Scarborough, jet worker, John Fox, Durham Street, Scarborough, jet worker, and Alfred Monkman, Bow Street, Scarborough, jet worker. Jan. 12. £14 6s., &c. Given to the Commercial Loan Company.


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

Trev.
dognose
Site Admin
Posts: 59003
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2005 12:53 pm
Location: England

Re: The Jet Industry

Post by dognose »

The use of jet is increasing as a foil for precious stones and metals and much of it is now being used in the latest jewelry designs. Used with gaily colored stones jet has an attraction all its own as jewelers and lovers of good jewelry are finding out. While the real Whitby jet is scarce and dear this does not bother a lot of people owning old-fashioned jewelry. Jet was very popular in the Victorian era and the old family ornaments of jet are now being fished out and turned over to the jeweler who is refashioning them into earrings, hat ornaments and necklaces with the aid of colored stones and brilliants. Some of the new handbags have jet frames, the clasps being studded with the cleverly produced synthetic gems which imitate the ruby, emerald and diamond so closely and are given the same detailed setting as are the genuine stones. In connection with these exquisitely set synthetic gems jet jewelry shows up remarkably well. Although the ordinary pendant is going out of fashion the jet ornament, framed in brilliants, and strung on a silken cord, still is enjoying considerable popularity. There is no great change indicated in the finger ring design for 1927. Probably because the finger ring this side is about the most neglected item of jewelry wear. Women who are married will wear their wedding ring and their engagement ring. Beyond an occasional dress ring of opals they wear no finger ornamentation in proportion to their display of neck, corsage, hair and arm jewelry. Two designs in ring wear for the present year are featured. One is the “magpie,’ consisting of a black pearl and white pearl, side by side, and of large size; the other a slender gold or platinum shank containing a very large, square cut diamond.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 9th March 1927

Trev.
Post Reply

Return to “Contributors' Notes”