BOULTON & FOTHERGILL SILVER
Birmingham
Alderman Clayton, ex-mayor of Birmingham, has just been presented, among other things, with a silver cake-basket. This is of interest as having
been made by Messrs. Boulton and Fothergill, who were the first firm to enter their punch for hall-marking at the Birmingham Assay Office when first opened on August 31, 1773. The basket is marked with the first and largest of the six punches entered on that day.
Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silvermith - 1st December 1891
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The Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade
Re: The Daily Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade
MAJESTIC SILVER COMPANY
New York
The Sheriff Saturday received three executions, aggregating $3,020, against the Majestic Silver Company, manufacturers of silver plated ware at 290 Pearl St., in favor of the following: Edward E. Nobis, $2,060, for salary; Irwin D. Siegel, $699, and Thomas S. Corey, $255, both on claims for salary. Mr. Nobis was the president of the company. He started the business in 1886, and the company succeeded to the business on Jan. 7 last. The company occupy three floors at 290 Pearl St., and the Sheriff has taken possession. The concern were incorporated Feb. 1 with an authorized capital stock of $50,000, $30,000 of which was paid in. E. E. Nobis was president, Henry Marsch was vice-president, and L. A. Hakes secretary and treasurer.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 1st November 1899
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New York
The Sheriff Saturday received three executions, aggregating $3,020, against the Majestic Silver Company, manufacturers of silver plated ware at 290 Pearl St., in favor of the following: Edward E. Nobis, $2,060, for salary; Irwin D. Siegel, $699, and Thomas S. Corey, $255, both on claims for salary. Mr. Nobis was the president of the company. He started the business in 1886, and the company succeeded to the business on Jan. 7 last. The company occupy three floors at 290 Pearl St., and the Sheriff has taken possession. The concern were incorporated Feb. 1 with an authorized capital stock of $50,000, $30,000 of which was paid in. E. E. Nobis was president, Henry Marsch was vice-president, and L. A. Hakes secretary and treasurer.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 1st November 1899
Trev.
Re: The Daily Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade
WOOD & HUGHES
New York
The Death of Henry Wood. —Henry Wood, one of the oldest silversmiths in New York, the senior member of Wood & Hughes, of 24 John Street, died suddenly recently at his residence in Red Bank, N.J. His death was due to apoplexy, and was unexpected. He had been suffering a long time of optical hemorrhages, but otherwise, with the exception of a slight illness two weeks ago, his health had been good. One night he appeared restless and finally, about midnight, went to bed. An apoplectic paroxysm began soon afterward, and he died about one o'clock.
Source: The Trader - February 1900
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New York
The Death of Henry Wood. —Henry Wood, one of the oldest silversmiths in New York, the senior member of Wood & Hughes, of 24 John Street, died suddenly recently at his residence in Red Bank, N.J. His death was due to apoplexy, and was unexpected. He had been suffering a long time of optical hemorrhages, but otherwise, with the exception of a slight illness two weeks ago, his health had been good. One night he appeared restless and finally, about midnight, went to bed. An apoplectic paroxysm began soon afterward, and he died about one o'clock.
Source: The Trader - February 1900
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Re: The Daily Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade
MERIDEN BRITANNIA Co. IN CANADA
Hamilton, Ontario
Meriden Britannia Company, Ltd., Hamilton, Ont., has been incorporated with a capital of $400,000 to manufacture articles of silver, nickel, copper, steel, iron and porcelain. The incorporators are George H. Wilcox and George M. Curtis, Meriden, Conn.; William K. George, Toronto; James W. Millard and John G. Gauld, both of Hamilton.
Source: The Brass World and Platers' Guide - May 1915
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Hamilton, Ontario
Meriden Britannia Company, Ltd., Hamilton, Ont., has been incorporated with a capital of $400,000 to manufacture articles of silver, nickel, copper, steel, iron and porcelain. The incorporators are George H. Wilcox and George M. Curtis, Meriden, Conn.; William K. George, Toronto; James W. Millard and John G. Gauld, both of Hamilton.
Source: The Brass World and Platers' Guide - May 1915
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Re: The Daily Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade
DEATH OF ISAAC JAMES STEANE
Barbour Silver Co. - Hartford Sterling Co.
Retired Watch and Silverware Manufacturer Passes Away at His Home in Hartford, Conn.
Hartford, Conn., Oct. 29.—Following an illness which had lasted for several months, Isaac James Steane, for many years engaged in the manufacture of watches and silverware, died at his residence in this city, 29 Collins St., this morning. Mr. Steane had retired from active interest in manufacturing concerns but was connected with several financial undertakings at the time of his death.
Mr. Steane was born in Coventry, Warwickshire, England, on Aug. 16, 1847, being the oldest son of Isaac Steane, third, and Eliza Ward Steane. He came to this country when a small boy, arriving in New York on Aug. 16, 1863. At that time he became engaged in the wholesale watch business in that city, where his father was also engaged in that line. For some time he was employed by his father and, becoming thoroughly experienced in that line, the father took his son in business with him, the partnership being formed in 1879. The firm name was Steane, Son & Hall and they continued to handle a successful business until 1885, when the partnership was dissolved.
Soon after discontinuing his New York affairs Mr. Steane came to Hartford, Conn., where he accepted a position as president of the Barbour Silver Co., located for so many years in this city. The concern continued to manufacture silver plated ware here until the International Silver Co. was formed and then the Barbour Silver Co. was merged with the other large company, eventually moving the plant to Meriden, Conn., where it is now operated.
Mr. Steane was prominently connected with the formation of the Hartford Sterling Co., a company incorporated in Connecticut and now having its headquarters in Philadelphia, Pa. For 20 years Mr. Steane was president of the Hartford Sterling Co. but retired from that position in 1902. Since that year he had been engaged in the growing, packing and wholesale distribution of tobacco in Hartford.
The deceased was a member of the Automobile Club of Hartford, the Get-Together Club of Hartford and the Center Congregational Church.
He leaves besides his widow, Mrs. Sybella (Heath) Steane, four sons, Herbert J. Steane, Russell D. Steane, Willard H. Steane and Lester S. S'teane, all residents of this city: also three daughters, the Misses Florence A. Steane and Mildred E. Steane, of Hartford, Conn., and Mrs. George Frost, of Chestnut Hill, Mass. Two sisters, Misses Emily and Annie Steane, of Coventry, England, also survive. The funeral will be held Monday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, from his late home, services to be conducted by the Rev. Rockwell Harmon Potter, pastor of the Center church. The interment will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery, this city.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 2nd November 1921
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Barbour Silver Co. - Hartford Sterling Co.
Retired Watch and Silverware Manufacturer Passes Away at His Home in Hartford, Conn.
Hartford, Conn., Oct. 29.—Following an illness which had lasted for several months, Isaac James Steane, for many years engaged in the manufacture of watches and silverware, died at his residence in this city, 29 Collins St., this morning. Mr. Steane had retired from active interest in manufacturing concerns but was connected with several financial undertakings at the time of his death.
Mr. Steane was born in Coventry, Warwickshire, England, on Aug. 16, 1847, being the oldest son of Isaac Steane, third, and Eliza Ward Steane. He came to this country when a small boy, arriving in New York on Aug. 16, 1863. At that time he became engaged in the wholesale watch business in that city, where his father was also engaged in that line. For some time he was employed by his father and, becoming thoroughly experienced in that line, the father took his son in business with him, the partnership being formed in 1879. The firm name was Steane, Son & Hall and they continued to handle a successful business until 1885, when the partnership was dissolved.
Soon after discontinuing his New York affairs Mr. Steane came to Hartford, Conn., where he accepted a position as president of the Barbour Silver Co., located for so many years in this city. The concern continued to manufacture silver plated ware here until the International Silver Co. was formed and then the Barbour Silver Co. was merged with the other large company, eventually moving the plant to Meriden, Conn., where it is now operated.
Mr. Steane was prominently connected with the formation of the Hartford Sterling Co., a company incorporated in Connecticut and now having its headquarters in Philadelphia, Pa. For 20 years Mr. Steane was president of the Hartford Sterling Co. but retired from that position in 1902. Since that year he had been engaged in the growing, packing and wholesale distribution of tobacco in Hartford.
The deceased was a member of the Automobile Club of Hartford, the Get-Together Club of Hartford and the Center Congregational Church.
He leaves besides his widow, Mrs. Sybella (Heath) Steane, four sons, Herbert J. Steane, Russell D. Steane, Willard H. Steane and Lester S. S'teane, all residents of this city: also three daughters, the Misses Florence A. Steane and Mildred E. Steane, of Hartford, Conn., and Mrs. George Frost, of Chestnut Hill, Mass. Two sisters, Misses Emily and Annie Steane, of Coventry, England, also survive. The funeral will be held Monday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, from his late home, services to be conducted by the Rev. Rockwell Harmon Potter, pastor of the Center church. The interment will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery, this city.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 2nd November 1921
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Re: The Daily Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade
THE PARIS EXHIBITION
Sheffield
There has been some talk of following the example of some other towns and endeavouring to induce the Railway Companies to grant facilities for workmen visiting the Paris Exhibition during the summer. At the time of the Exhibition of 1867 it was possible to get to Paris and back from Sheffield for 83s. The knowledge was largely taken advantage of by silversmiths, and not a few " wrinkles " in the various branches of the trade were brought back in consequence. There can be no doubt that they really do manage some things better in France, and the art of modelling and designing is one of them. It would therefore pay the town as a manufacturing community to move in the matter, which it is to be hoped it will do.
Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st April 1889
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Sheffield
There has been some talk of following the example of some other towns and endeavouring to induce the Railway Companies to grant facilities for workmen visiting the Paris Exhibition during the summer. At the time of the Exhibition of 1867 it was possible to get to Paris and back from Sheffield for 83s. The knowledge was largely taken advantage of by silversmiths, and not a few " wrinkles " in the various branches of the trade were brought back in consequence. There can be no doubt that they really do manage some things better in France, and the art of modelling and designing is one of them. It would therefore pay the town as a manufacturing community to move in the matter, which it is to be hoped it will do.
Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st April 1889
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Re: The Daily Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade
USS MAINE
Attleboro, Massachusetts
Charles M. Robbins, of C. M. Robbins & Co., last week received three hunded feet of six strand wire rope, which once formed part of the mechanical equipment of the ill-fated Maine. With the rope he received a letter guaranteeing the genuineness of the article and referring to the naval officers and Captain John Magget of the wrecking tug "Right Arm" as vouchers. The rope will be made up into novelties, which Mr. Robbins expects to see go without any delay.
Source: The Jewelers' Review - 24th May 1899
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Maine_(ACR-1)
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Attleboro, Massachusetts
Charles M. Robbins, of C. M. Robbins & Co., last week received three hunded feet of six strand wire rope, which once formed part of the mechanical equipment of the ill-fated Maine. With the rope he received a letter guaranteeing the genuineness of the article and referring to the naval officers and Captain John Magget of the wrecking tug "Right Arm" as vouchers. The rope will be made up into novelties, which Mr. Robbins expects to see go without any delay.
Source: The Jewelers' Review - 24th May 1899
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Maine_(ACR-1)
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Re: The Daily Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade
WATCH FOUND IN A SHARK
London
On December 1, 1787, some fishermen fishing in the river Thames, near Poplar, with much difficulty drew into their boat a shark, yet alive, but apparently very sickly. It was taken on shore, and, being opened, in its belly were found a silver watch, a metal chain, and a cornelian seal, together with several pieces of gold lace, supposed to have belonged to some young gentleman who was unfortunate enough to have fallen overboard, and to have been caught and swallowed by the shark. The body and other parts had either been digested or voided, but the watch and gold lace, not being able to pass through it, the fish had become sickly and would very soon have died.
The watch had the name of "Henry Watson, London, No. 1369," and the works were very much impaired. On these circumstances being made public, Mr. Henry Watson, watchmaker, in Shoreditch, recollected that, about two years previously, he sold the watch to Mr. Ephraim Thompson, of Whitechapel, as a present to his son on his going out on his first voyage, on board the ship Polly, Captain Vane. When about three leagues off Falmouth, by a sudden heel of the vessel during a squall, young Thompson fell overboard, and was no more seen. The news of his being drowned soon after came to the knowledge of his friends, who little thought of hearing anything more concerning him.
Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 6th March 1876
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London
On December 1, 1787, some fishermen fishing in the river Thames, near Poplar, with much difficulty drew into their boat a shark, yet alive, but apparently very sickly. It was taken on shore, and, being opened, in its belly were found a silver watch, a metal chain, and a cornelian seal, together with several pieces of gold lace, supposed to have belonged to some young gentleman who was unfortunate enough to have fallen overboard, and to have been caught and swallowed by the shark. The body and other parts had either been digested or voided, but the watch and gold lace, not being able to pass through it, the fish had become sickly and would very soon have died.
The watch had the name of "Henry Watson, London, No. 1369," and the works were very much impaired. On these circumstances being made public, Mr. Henry Watson, watchmaker, in Shoreditch, recollected that, about two years previously, he sold the watch to Mr. Ephraim Thompson, of Whitechapel, as a present to his son on his going out on his first voyage, on board the ship Polly, Captain Vane. When about three leagues off Falmouth, by a sudden heel of the vessel during a squall, young Thompson fell overboard, and was no more seen. The news of his being drowned soon after came to the knowledge of his friends, who little thought of hearing anything more concerning him.
Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 6th March 1876
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Re: The Daily Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade
SORE LOSER!
Pittsburgh
The local Exposition awards were given last week, the first prize of $500 in gold to Jos. Home & Co., and the second of $250 in gold to J. C. Grogan, jeweler. This prize was indignantly refused by Mr. Grogan, whose display he claims was worthy of first award.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 1st November 1893
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Pittsburgh
The local Exposition awards were given last week, the first prize of $500 in gold to Jos. Home & Co., and the second of $250 in gold to J. C. Grogan, jeweler. This prize was indignantly refused by Mr. Grogan, whose display he claims was worthy of first award.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 1st November 1893
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Re: The Daily Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade
THE QUEEN CITY WATCH CASE Mfg. Co.
Cincinnati
The Queen City Watch Case Mfg. Co., Cincinnati, has been incorporated with $25,000 capital. It is closely afliliated with the D. Gruen Co., which recently let contract for an addition to its plant.
Source: The Brass World and Platers' Guide - April 1916
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Cincinnati
The Queen City Watch Case Mfg. Co., Cincinnati, has been incorporated with $25,000 capital. It is closely afliliated with the D. Gruen Co., which recently let contract for an addition to its plant.
Source: The Brass World and Platers' Guide - April 1916
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Re: The Daily Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade
PARIS ELECTRICAL EXHIBITION
Christofle & Cie.
On the 3rd of October, at the Paris Electrical Exhibition, a gentleman was leaning over a balustrade to examine an extremely interesting machine of M. Christofle, when his gold chain made a connection between two conducting wires which happened to be exposed. His chain became red hot and set fire to his waistcoat.
Source: The Trader - March 1882
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Christofle & Cie.
On the 3rd of October, at the Paris Electrical Exhibition, a gentleman was leaning over a balustrade to examine an extremely interesting machine of M. Christofle, when his gold chain made a connection between two conducting wires which happened to be exposed. His chain became red hot and set fire to his waistcoat.
Source: The Trader - March 1882
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Re: The Daily Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade
FIRE AT BAKER-MANCHESTER Mfg. Co.
Providence, Rhode Island
Floor timbers in the silversmith plant of Baker-Manchester Mfg. Co. in the Lederer building, 100 Stewart St., caught fire from an overheated forge during last Monday night and burned through the floor before the blaze was discovered. Engine 2 responded on a still alarm and quickly extinguished the flames.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 21st January 1920
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Providence, Rhode Island
Floor timbers in the silversmith plant of Baker-Manchester Mfg. Co. in the Lederer building, 100 Stewart St., caught fire from an overheated forge during last Monday night and burned through the floor before the blaze was discovered. Engine 2 responded on a still alarm and quickly extinguished the flames.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 21st January 1920
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Re: The Daily Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade
WEIDLICH BROTHERS Mfg. Co.
Bridgeport, Connecticut
The Weidlich Bros. Co. of Bridgeport, Conn., now located on Kossuth St., and who manufacture an extensive line of gold and silver plated novelties, such as clocks, jewel boxes, trays, desk sets etc., are now having plans drawn for a new factory to be situated in the East End. It will be of brick and about 140 feet in length.
Source: The Brass World and Platers' Guide - November 1909
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Bridgeport, Connecticut
The Weidlich Bros. Co. of Bridgeport, Conn., now located on Kossuth St., and who manufacture an extensive line of gold and silver plated novelties, such as clocks, jewel boxes, trays, desk sets etc., are now having plans drawn for a new factory to be situated in the East End. It will be of brick and about 140 feet in length.
Source: The Brass World and Platers' Guide - November 1909
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Re: The Daily Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade
THE ROTHSCHILDS'
London
Baron Rothschild, who died recently, was not associated with the Rothschilds, of London, as far as business is concerned. He was, however, the first president of the National Retail Jewelers' Association and took an active part in its operations. Had he lived he intended promoting a bill in Parliament dealing with fraudulent advertisements, a much needed reform. The English Rothschilds, although pre-eminently financiers and bankers, have two extensive refineries—one in the heart of the city has underground vaults or cellarage covering a considerable area, where gold and silver is melted and refined, aggregating to many tons per annum. Its presence is probably unsuspected by nine-tenths of the passers-by. The second refinery is situated near the Royal Mint and also does a considerable business.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 25th January 1899
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London
Baron Rothschild, who died recently, was not associated with the Rothschilds, of London, as far as business is concerned. He was, however, the first president of the National Retail Jewelers' Association and took an active part in its operations. Had he lived he intended promoting a bill in Parliament dealing with fraudulent advertisements, a much needed reform. The English Rothschilds, although pre-eminently financiers and bankers, have two extensive refineries—one in the heart of the city has underground vaults or cellarage covering a considerable area, where gold and silver is melted and refined, aggregating to many tons per annum. Its presence is probably unsuspected by nine-tenths of the passers-by. The second refinery is situated near the Royal Mint and also does a considerable business.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 25th January 1899
Trev.
Re: The Daily Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade
A SILVERSMITH'S GRIVENCE
Lowestoft, Suffolk
We have received the following letter from a country silversmith. Perhaps others will give their opinion on it.
Letter to the Editor:
"I believe your columns are ever open to those who have a legitimate grievance. - I should like to ask you if you can explain why silversmiths are not protected better from infringements of their trade rights, for which they have to pay a license of 60s. to £5 per annum. The law, which is honoured more in the breach than observance, allows no one to sell more than 5 dwts of silver at one time, who does not pay the license. This, however, is constantly done in all towns. Here in Lowestoft, grocers, drapers, hairdressers, and others deal in silver-mounted goods. The local Excise officer has been approached on the matter time after time as to the prosecution of those defying the law, but nothing has come of it. - Contrast this with the severity, with which the law deals with the infringement of the rights of publicans and auctioneers. Why tax us if we are not to be protected? In these days of keen competition it is hard enough to live, but it add to one's annoyance to find that the competition is increased by those who have no right to do so."
As our correspondent says, there seems to be a real grievance.
Source: To-day - A Weekly Magazine-Journal - Edited by Jerome K. Jerome - 14th September 1895
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Lowestoft, Suffolk
We have received the following letter from a country silversmith. Perhaps others will give their opinion on it.
Letter to the Editor:
"I believe your columns are ever open to those who have a legitimate grievance. - I should like to ask you if you can explain why silversmiths are not protected better from infringements of their trade rights, for which they have to pay a license of 60s. to £5 per annum. The law, which is honoured more in the breach than observance, allows no one to sell more than 5 dwts of silver at one time, who does not pay the license. This, however, is constantly done in all towns. Here in Lowestoft, grocers, drapers, hairdressers, and others deal in silver-mounted goods. The local Excise officer has been approached on the matter time after time as to the prosecution of those defying the law, but nothing has come of it. - Contrast this with the severity, with which the law deals with the infringement of the rights of publicans and auctioneers. Why tax us if we are not to be protected? In these days of keen competition it is hard enough to live, but it add to one's annoyance to find that the competition is increased by those who have no right to do so."
As our correspondent says, there seems to be a real grievance.
Source: To-day - A Weekly Magazine-Journal - Edited by Jerome K. Jerome - 14th September 1895
Trev.
Re: The Daily Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade
A SILVERSMITH'S GRIEVANCE - II
IN our issue of September 14th we published a letter from a country silversmith, in which he complained of the very inadequate protection given to silversmiths in the matter of their trade rights, for which they pay a license of from 50s. to £5 per annum. The law allows no one to sell more than 5 dwts of silver at one time unless he is licensed. But the law is constantly broken. “Here in Lowestoft,” wrote our correspondent, “grocers, drapers, hairdressers, and others deal in silver-mounted goods. The local Excise officer has been approached on the matter time after time as to the prosecution of those defying the law, but nothing has come of it.”
We have received many letters from silversmiths in different parts of the country emphasising our correspondent's complaint, and the Hon. Sec. of the National Retail Jeweller's Association sends us particulars of a case in which the inaction of the Board of Inland Revenue, of which so many correspondents’ complain, is strikingly illustrated. It seems that as long ago as June 19th the executive of the Association informed the Board that a signalman in the employment of the Great Western Railway Company was carrying on an illegal trade as agent for a watch and jewellery club house. The man was without a license, and was clearly contravening the law, but the Association had to wait more than three months before the Board condescended to acknowledge its letter. And here is the reply:
Secretaries' Office, Inland Revenue,
Somerset House, London, W.C. tri 28th September, 1895.
Sir,
In reply to your letter dated the 18th June last, I am directed by the Board of Revenue to acquaint you that, in the circumstances of the case, Mr. George H-- will be informed that legal proceedings have been ordered against him for having dealt in plate without a licence, but that the proceedings will be stayed provided a fine be paid and a license taken out.
I am, Sir,
Your odedient servant.
The signature is, as usual with these official documents, quite undecipherable, but the letter is written by the Assistant Secretary to the Board, and addressed to the Hon. Secretary of the National Jewellers' Association.
It took the Board three months and ten days to acknowledge the complaint of the Association, and what is its decision after these many months? The offender is not to be proceeded against if he takes out a license and pays what we may safely speak of as a nominal fine. Contrast this sort of treatment with that which would be meted out to one who keeps a dog without a license, shoots a pheasant without a license, or sells a glass of beer or whisky without a license. In such cases the offender would be proceeded against immediately information was laid, and upon conviction fined in sums varying from £2 to £30, with costs. We cannot understand how the Board can justify its lethargy in protecting silversmiths. What is sauce for the goose should be sauce for the gander. Illegal trading should be punished and suppressed irrespective of the trade, or traders, affected by it.
Referring to “A Silversmith's Grievance,” a well-informed correspendent writes to us as below :—
“There is another silversmith's grievance which is equally injurious to the retail silversmith. Certain manufacturers in Sheffield supply silver goods for presentation by unlicensed drapers and ironmongers in competition with the legitimate licensed silversmith, and defraud the Revenue of the country by invoicing the goods due to the private buyer. Recently at High Wycombe, Bucks., an unlicensed ironmonger actually went into the public competition for a piece of silver presentation plate with two licensed silversmiths in the same town, and obtained the order for a publir salver, the Sheffield firm who supplied him invoicing the article direct to the committee. The attention of the Board of Inland Revenue was brought by the National Retail Jewellers' Association to this glaring evasion of the law. The ironmonger had to pay the £5 15s. license, but the Board could not prosecute owing to the action of the manufacturers. The law cannot prevent drapers. ironmongers, and others poaching on the legitimate silversmiths' preserves, but it can compel them to pay the plate license duty if they sell excisable gold and silver plate.”
Source: To-day - A Weekly Magazine-Journal - Edited by Jerome K. Jerome - 5th October 1895
Trev.
IN our issue of September 14th we published a letter from a country silversmith, in which he complained of the very inadequate protection given to silversmiths in the matter of their trade rights, for which they pay a license of from 50s. to £5 per annum. The law allows no one to sell more than 5 dwts of silver at one time unless he is licensed. But the law is constantly broken. “Here in Lowestoft,” wrote our correspondent, “grocers, drapers, hairdressers, and others deal in silver-mounted goods. The local Excise officer has been approached on the matter time after time as to the prosecution of those defying the law, but nothing has come of it.”
We have received many letters from silversmiths in different parts of the country emphasising our correspondent's complaint, and the Hon. Sec. of the National Retail Jeweller's Association sends us particulars of a case in which the inaction of the Board of Inland Revenue, of which so many correspondents’ complain, is strikingly illustrated. It seems that as long ago as June 19th the executive of the Association informed the Board that a signalman in the employment of the Great Western Railway Company was carrying on an illegal trade as agent for a watch and jewellery club house. The man was without a license, and was clearly contravening the law, but the Association had to wait more than three months before the Board condescended to acknowledge its letter. And here is the reply:
Secretaries' Office, Inland Revenue,
Somerset House, London, W.C. tri 28th September, 1895.
Sir,
In reply to your letter dated the 18th June last, I am directed by the Board of Revenue to acquaint you that, in the circumstances of the case, Mr. George H-- will be informed that legal proceedings have been ordered against him for having dealt in plate without a licence, but that the proceedings will be stayed provided a fine be paid and a license taken out.
I am, Sir,
Your odedient servant.
The signature is, as usual with these official documents, quite undecipherable, but the letter is written by the Assistant Secretary to the Board, and addressed to the Hon. Secretary of the National Jewellers' Association.
It took the Board three months and ten days to acknowledge the complaint of the Association, and what is its decision after these many months? The offender is not to be proceeded against if he takes out a license and pays what we may safely speak of as a nominal fine. Contrast this sort of treatment with that which would be meted out to one who keeps a dog without a license, shoots a pheasant without a license, or sells a glass of beer or whisky without a license. In such cases the offender would be proceeded against immediately information was laid, and upon conviction fined in sums varying from £2 to £30, with costs. We cannot understand how the Board can justify its lethargy in protecting silversmiths. What is sauce for the goose should be sauce for the gander. Illegal trading should be punished and suppressed irrespective of the trade, or traders, affected by it.
Referring to “A Silversmith's Grievance,” a well-informed correspendent writes to us as below :—
“There is another silversmith's grievance which is equally injurious to the retail silversmith. Certain manufacturers in Sheffield supply silver goods for presentation by unlicensed drapers and ironmongers in competition with the legitimate licensed silversmith, and defraud the Revenue of the country by invoicing the goods due to the private buyer. Recently at High Wycombe, Bucks., an unlicensed ironmonger actually went into the public competition for a piece of silver presentation plate with two licensed silversmiths in the same town, and obtained the order for a publir salver, the Sheffield firm who supplied him invoicing the article direct to the committee. The attention of the Board of Inland Revenue was brought by the National Retail Jewellers' Association to this glaring evasion of the law. The ironmonger had to pay the £5 15s. license, but the Board could not prosecute owing to the action of the manufacturers. The law cannot prevent drapers. ironmongers, and others poaching on the legitimate silversmiths' preserves, but it can compel them to pay the plate license duty if they sell excisable gold and silver plate.”
Source: To-day - A Weekly Magazine-Journal - Edited by Jerome K. Jerome - 5th October 1895
Trev.
Re: The Daily Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade
A SILVERSMITH's GRIEVANCE - III
We have received a letter from a well-known silversInith from which we take the following passages —
I think it may be stated without fear of contradiction that the efforts of the National Retail Jewellers' Association are being thwarted by the course of action adopted by the Inland Revenue Department.
For some time back those engaged in the jewellery trade have learned through the trade journals that So-and-so has been caught dealing in plate without having the necessary license, that they have been fined a paltry sum and been required to take out a plate license. I would ask you to notice particularly “been required," as I want to ask why in Heaven's name this distinction is made between the person who sells plate without a license and the person who sells spirits without a license, as in the one case he has a license forced upon him, whilst in the other case if he does get one in the first instance he, probably never will do so again. If a conviction is recorded which will be read up against him if he ever desires to apply for another license, and will most likely be refused on the grounds of previous bad character.
It is a most unpleasant piece of business for a tradesman to furnish information against his neighbour, who probably has been selling plate for years without having a plate license, and when information is given to the officers of the Inland Revenue Department the wrong-doer is let off with a paltry fine, laughs at you, and takes his license, the cost of which is probably covered by profit on the transaction, and no publicity given. One may be excused if the thought occurs : “This is a queer business—how has it been squared?”
A supervisor sends us a letter, in which he says:
The fact is, these defrauders of the Revenue have more rope allowed them than any class of people we have to deal with. I'll give you an instance happened to me: A trader was selling without a license; he defied both me and the supervisor; he wouldn't sell to us, of course. I was going on my holiday and arranged with the supervisor that the assistant who was to relieve me should attempt a detection. We marched him down and pointed out the shop; in he went and purchased a silver pencil-case greatly over weight for 15s. The Board gave the man the option of taking out a license or being prosecuted; he took out a license. Here comes the joke, the Board returned the 15s. pencil-case to the poor assistant; he expostulated with them saying he had made the purchase under instructions, and didn't want it. They replied, “Take the article back to the trader, and perhaps he would return the 15s.”
Our prosecuting department at Somerset House wants overhauling, Officered by a lot of Cockney clerks who, have never been brought in contact with traders, the most absurd and contradictory fiats emanate from them. All our reports have to be reviewed by them, and they have to advise the Board what to do.
Source: To-day - A Weekly Magazine-Journal - Edited by Jerome K. Jerome - 12th October 1895
Trev.
We have received a letter from a well-known silversInith from which we take the following passages —
I think it may be stated without fear of contradiction that the efforts of the National Retail Jewellers' Association are being thwarted by the course of action adopted by the Inland Revenue Department.
For some time back those engaged in the jewellery trade have learned through the trade journals that So-and-so has been caught dealing in plate without having the necessary license, that they have been fined a paltry sum and been required to take out a plate license. I would ask you to notice particularly “been required," as I want to ask why in Heaven's name this distinction is made between the person who sells plate without a license and the person who sells spirits without a license, as in the one case he has a license forced upon him, whilst in the other case if he does get one in the first instance he, probably never will do so again. If a conviction is recorded which will be read up against him if he ever desires to apply for another license, and will most likely be refused on the grounds of previous bad character.
It is a most unpleasant piece of business for a tradesman to furnish information against his neighbour, who probably has been selling plate for years without having a plate license, and when information is given to the officers of the Inland Revenue Department the wrong-doer is let off with a paltry fine, laughs at you, and takes his license, the cost of which is probably covered by profit on the transaction, and no publicity given. One may be excused if the thought occurs : “This is a queer business—how has it been squared?”
A supervisor sends us a letter, in which he says:
The fact is, these defrauders of the Revenue have more rope allowed them than any class of people we have to deal with. I'll give you an instance happened to me: A trader was selling without a license; he defied both me and the supervisor; he wouldn't sell to us, of course. I was going on my holiday and arranged with the supervisor that the assistant who was to relieve me should attempt a detection. We marched him down and pointed out the shop; in he went and purchased a silver pencil-case greatly over weight for 15s. The Board gave the man the option of taking out a license or being prosecuted; he took out a license. Here comes the joke, the Board returned the 15s. pencil-case to the poor assistant; he expostulated with them saying he had made the purchase under instructions, and didn't want it. They replied, “Take the article back to the trader, and perhaps he would return the 15s.”
Our prosecuting department at Somerset House wants overhauling, Officered by a lot of Cockney clerks who, have never been brought in contact with traders, the most absurd and contradictory fiats emanate from them. All our reports have to be reviewed by them, and they have to advise the Board what to do.
Source: To-day - A Weekly Magazine-Journal - Edited by Jerome K. Jerome - 12th October 1895
Trev.
Re: The Daily Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade
LEONARD SILVERMAN ROBBED
Cardiff
Leonard Silverman, diamond merchant of London and Birmingham, was robbed of £75,000 of gems including 1,000 rings, while a guest at a Cardiff hotel. Expert jewel thieves were responsible for the jeweler's loss since only the most valuable articles of jewelry were taken from the hotel rooms. Silverman was making a business call at the docks and carried a portion of his gem stock with him. But for this his loss would have been much greater. Jewelry not wanted by the thieves was scattered about the room. Before going to Cardiff the gem merchant had stayed at the Savoy Hotel in London and it is thought the thieves followed him from that place down to Wales.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 26th July 1922
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Cardiff
Leonard Silverman, diamond merchant of London and Birmingham, was robbed of £75,000 of gems including 1,000 rings, while a guest at a Cardiff hotel. Expert jewel thieves were responsible for the jeweler's loss since only the most valuable articles of jewelry were taken from the hotel rooms. Silverman was making a business call at the docks and carried a portion of his gem stock with him. But for this his loss would have been much greater. Jewelry not wanted by the thieves was scattered about the room. Before going to Cardiff the gem merchant had stayed at the Savoy Hotel in London and it is thought the thieves followed him from that place down to Wales.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 26th July 1922
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Re: The Daily Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade
THE SOCIETY OF MEDALLISTS
London
The Society of Medallists.—This society has awarded its first prize of £25 to Mr. H, Fehr for a model of a medal commemorating the defeat of the Spanish Armada, having on the obverse a bust of Queen Elizabeth, and on the reverse St. George slaying a winged figure, symbolical of the Armada, and surrounded by other figures representing Fame and Æolus. The second prize of £10 was awarded to Mrs. Vereker Hamilton for a medal bearing on the obverse a portrait of Captain J. Monteith Hamilton, and on the reverse a huntsman carrying stags' heads in a basket. These medals, and a selection of others included in the competition, will be exhibited by permission of the directors at the New Gallery, Regent Street, during the summer exhibition.
Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st May 1889
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London
The Society of Medallists.—This society has awarded its first prize of £25 to Mr. H, Fehr for a model of a medal commemorating the defeat of the Spanish Armada, having on the obverse a bust of Queen Elizabeth, and on the reverse St. George slaying a winged figure, symbolical of the Armada, and surrounded by other figures representing Fame and Æolus. The second prize of £10 was awarded to Mrs. Vereker Hamilton for a medal bearing on the obverse a portrait of Captain J. Monteith Hamilton, and on the reverse a huntsman carrying stags' heads in a basket. These medals, and a selection of others included in the competition, will be exhibited by permission of the directors at the New Gallery, Regent Street, during the summer exhibition.
Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st May 1889
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Re: The Daily Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade
REGNALL, BIGNEY & Co.
Attleboro, Massachusetts
Regnall, Bigney & Co., one of the largest manufacturers of jewelry in Attleboro, Mass., has purchased the H.M. Williams buildings on Forest St., and will occupy the first floor.
Source: The Brass World and Platers' Guide - July 1907
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Attleboro, Massachusetts
Regnall, Bigney & Co., one of the largest manufacturers of jewelry in Attleboro, Mass., has purchased the H.M. Williams buildings on Forest St., and will occupy the first floor.
Source: The Brass World and Platers' Guide - July 1907
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