The Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade

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ELGIN NATIONAL WATCH Co.

A strange story comes from Prescott, Mich. Angus Cameron, a farmer, had a cow which died unaccountably. The animal was cut open to determine the cause of death. In its stomach was found a hunting case gold watch, stem wind and set. The watch was marked No. 951,129, Elgin National Watch Co. How the watch got into the cow is a mystery that is so far unexplained. Cameron figures that he is ahead on the deal, as the cow was only worth $40, and the watch is said to be worth considerably more.

Source: The Jewelers Review - 19th April 1899

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JAPAN

No Manufacturers in Japan Engaged Exclusively in Making Silver Tableware

Washington, D. C, Jan. 29.–There are no manufacturers engaged solely in the manufacture of silver tableware in Japan. Silver ornaments of numerous kinds are made but there is no such thing as the wholesale selling of silverware of any kind, according to a report from Consul M. D. Kirjassoff, at Yokohama, to the Department of Commerce.

Each manufacturer is a retailer, and conversely, each retailer is a manufacturer. It has been found impossible by Consul Kirjassoff to get catalogs containing even retail prices which vary apparently, as the price of silver fluctuates.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 31st January 1923

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MOROCCO - BIRMINGHAM

JEWELLERY FROM MOROCCO

HOW THE SULTAN RAISES THE WIND

London, 18th November.

During his recent fiscal reform speech at Birmingham, Mr. Chamberlain instanced the British jewellery industry as one which suffered severely from free foreign "dumping," and stated that the local jewellery manufacturing trade had been nearly ruined by foreign importations, which were especially heavy last year.

Sir John Brunner, the Liberal member for Northwich, who suggests that canal nationalisation without tolls would be better for England than tariff retaliation and colonial preference, now offers an explanation of the slump in Birmingham's jewellery trade. He states that a London firm last year sent an agent to Morocco to pick up cheap from the Sultan Abdul Aziz and Moors of high rank jewellery which, owing to the rebellion, they were glad to part with for ready money. This agent invested £100,000 in jewellery in this fashion, and hence the heavy importations in 1903; but according to Sir John Brunner the secondhand jewellry from Morocco was reset and its precious stones recut at Birmingham.

Source: The Age - 19th November 1903

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JAMES G. IRWIN

Newark, New Jersey

Death of James G. Irwin

Newark, N. J., Nov. 6.–James G. Irwin, for many years a manufacturer of gold pins, and who was well-known throughout the country, died at his home, 9 Austin St., Saturday night, of pneumonia.

Mr. Irving was born in Ireland, 59 years ago, and had lived in Newark many years. He had been prominent in politics for some years, serving as a member of the Board of Education, the Common Council, the State Assembly, and the Tax Board, being at one time president of the latter board.

Mr. Irwin was an exceedingly genial man, and was highly esteemed in this community.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 8th November 1893

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FRANCE

The story is told of a French watchmaker, who, on moving into a certain street in Paris, put up a modest sign "The Best Watchmaker in Paris". A competitor moved near by, shortly after, and in order not to be outdone, made the announcement in bold gilt letters, "The Best Watchmaker in the World". It so happened the fates directed a third watchmaker towards the same locality. He, not the least dismayed, erected a sign, "The Best watchmaker in the Street".

Source: The Jeweller and Metalworker - 15th January 1886

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WILLIAM HELLBERG

Marshalltown, Iowa

CAREER OF WM. HELLBERG

Former Marshalltown, Ia-, Jeweler Passes Away Following an Operation

Marshalltown, la., Oct. 4.–The recent death of William Hellberg, a prominent jeweler and business man of this city, has been the cause of much regret among a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. He died at St. Thomas' Hospital, following an operation.

Mr. Hellberg, who had been a life-long watchmaker engaged both in the manufacturing and retail business had spent many years in the industry. He learned the trade in his native country, Sweden, when a boy and had followed it upon coming to this country. He was regarded as a high grade workman.

He was born in Skane, Sweden, April 6, 1862, and started learning the watchmaking trade when 10 years old and became a full fledged workman at the age of 17 years. As soon as he learned the trade he started in business for himself and conducted a watch trade school and factory. He started to learn the trade with his uncle, an old watch and tower clock maker, finishing his apprenticeship in full with highest honors, with one of the most prominent watchmakers of Sweden. He had made several masterpieces, as was the custom in those days, before he could get a master's license. In 1887 he sold out his business in Sweden and came to the United States, locating in St. Paul, working for a year, so as to become familiar with conditions and learn the language.

His first business venture was at Groton, S. Dak., then known as Dakota territory. Later he moved to Fargo, N. Dak., and it was there that he lost everything in the fire of 1883. In this fire he lost his watchmaker's tools and machinery, which he had brought with him from Sweden, and also his masterpieces, which he had made before he became a master-workman. Among these was a watch made entirely by hand, the size of a dime, and one of his most treasured pieces.

Later he engaged in business in Northfield, Minn., Sioux City, la., and Chicago, and at one time owned three stores in two States. He came from Chicago to this city in August, 1898, and opened a store at 23 West Main St., on Sept. 1, remaining in business there for nearly 21 years. Later he moved to 34 W. Main St., and still later to the present location of business, 12 W. Main St., his jewelry store being the oldest in the city of Marshalltown.

He perfected a number of patents on watchmaking machinery and tools, and had in the making more than 25 patterns not completed at the time of his death. During latter years Mr. Hellberg has been interested in peach raising, and devoted much of his time to his fruit raising farm in Oregon county, Missouri, where he raised peaches, apples and other fruits. He was an extensive traveler, having been through most of the countries of Europe.

He was a prominent Mason, being a member of Marshall Lodge, No. 108 A. F. & A. M.; Signet Chapter, No. 38, R. A. M.; King Solomon Council, No. 20, R. & S. M.; St. Aldemar Commandery, No. 30, K. T., and Central Chapter, No. 67, O. E. S. of Marshalltown, and Des Moines Consistory No. 3, where he received the 32d degree and Za-Ga-Zig temple Mystic Shrine of Des Moines.

He was married to Miss Elleb Falstrom in Sweden in 1884. She survives him as well as three sons, Eric, Arthur and Hjalmar, and one daughter, Edith and and one sister, Mrs. A. N. Wesley, Indianapolis. His sons are engaged in the jewelry and optical business.

The funeral was held at his home, 612 Fremont St. Burial was with Masonic honors at Riverside.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 19th November 1919

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LONDON

Obtaining meals in restaurants without paying is the strange mania of a man who was once a wealthy London jeweller. He has just been sentenced for the 24th time; the total value of the stolen meals, he said in court, was little more than a guinea, yet he had endured eight years' imprisonment for eating them.

Source: The Sydney Mail - 10th September 1898

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R. WALLACE & SONS Mfg.Co.

Wallingford, Connecticut


New Administration Building of R. Wallace & Sons Mfg. Co, Wallingford, Conn, a Model Structure

Wallingford. Conn., Oct. 7.–The new administration building of the R. Wallace & Sons Mfg. Co., at Wallingford. Conn., is receiving much favorable comment from visitors. It is located on a plot of land fronting: about 800 feet on the street and running back from that to the nearest building about 150 feet. For several years this plot of land has been beautified by landscape work through the efforts of the late Henry R. Wallace.

A double entrance driveway leads from the street to the front entrance. As one enters the lobby of the building, at the left is a telephone switchboard. The vestibule and lobby is finished in imitation caen stone, The lobby proper is 14 feet by 12 feet long, but the impression gained here is one of considerable space due to the ingenuity of the architect.

On either side of the lobby is the reception room, 14 by 16 feet. Immediately adjoining the reception room on the left of the lobby is the comptroller's office and adjoining this, the treasurer's office. The president's office occupies the northeast corner of the building. Opening from the president's office to the south is a small hallway which leads into the directors' room.

Immediately adjoining the reception room on the right is the purchasing agent's office and in the northwest corner, the office manager's office. All of these private offices are on the north side of the building where the daylight is ideal and they are equipped with American walnut furniture.

Opening from the office manager's office is a small office occupied by the head of the dictaphone and stenographic department. Directly across from the purchasing agent's office is his department, with necessary clerks and records.

The arrangement of the second floor is practically identical with that of the first, except that the sales manager is located immediately over the lobby. On the east of his office is that occupied by the advertising manager and immediately adjoining him is the advertising department in which are his clerks, records, etc. On the west side of the sales manager is an office occupied by his assistant and immediately adjoining this is a room occupied by the clerical force for the sales department.

All the partitions between offices are of oak panelled 45 inches from the floor and from there to the cornice, plate glass, Sq that light comes into the room from all directions. The only room in the building which has solid walls is the directors' room. The walls and ceiling arc painted, the side walls being done in several colors, mottled and glazed. The ceiling is in an ivory tint with simple stenciled ornamental borders, and the lighting fixtures for the building are all especially designed.

The building is equipped with a vacuum cleaning system, hot water heating system, and an air washing and ventilating system, giving positive ventilation. There are drinking fountains, two on each floor placed in a convenient manner.

The floors are covered with a quarter inch brown "battleship" linoleum. In the basement of the building there is a club room, reading room and lunch room for the men; rest room, reading and lunch room for the girls, kitchen, storage room for stationery, receiving room for merchandise of any kind belonging to the Administration building, instrument room for switchboards, transformers, etc.

The floors beneath the linoleum are concrete and in them are laid all the pipes and wires for telephones, dictaphones, etc. The building is fire proof construction, but in addition is equipped with complete sprinkler system. In every private office the window is recessed in such a manner as to provide two wardrobe rooms so that coat and hat trees will not disfigure in these rooms.

The outside of the building is fully as interesting as the inside. The foundation, cornice, arches over the windows of the first floor, coping, etc., are all of artificial stone which is made of white Portland cement and marble chips. All the bricks used on the front and ends of the building are tapestry bricks in five colors laid in drab mortar with raked joints.

The new plant of the concern at Littleton, N. H., which will be occupied about Nov. 1 is a modern fire proof concrete building which is 136 by 36 feet and two stories high.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 13th October 1920

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ONTARIO SILVERWARE WORKS

Humberstone, Ontario


SILVERWARE FACTORY MUST MOVE

New Canadian Tariff Drives It to United States

Humberstone, Ont., May 5 - As a result of the new tariff this town is going to lose its chief mainstay, the Ontario Silverware Works, one of the products of the natural gas belt. All orders for material have been cancelled in the cutlery department, and as soon as the goods on hand have been completed, the plant will be shipped to Muncie, Ind. This will throw about fifty men out of employment, most of whom will leave the country. England and Germany were always hard competitors in cutlery, and the lowering of the tariff completely ruined the sale of Canadian goods.

Source: Boston Evening Transcript - 5th May 1897

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THE UNITED STATES SILVER CORPORATION

Trenton, New Jersey


Silver Company Incorporated in New Jersey With $3,000,000 Capital

Trenton, N. J.. Sept. 11.–The United States Silver Corporation, capital $3,000.000, filed a certificate of incorporation yesterday. The stock is divided into 30,000 shares. The company begins business with $9,000 paid-in capital, 30 shares of the stock being owned by each of the following: Leonard D. Baldwin, G. Frederick Smith and Frank R. Series, of East Orange, N. J. The objects of the company are:

"To manufacture, buy, sell, deal in and deal with silverware, plated ware, cutlery, hardware, metal ware, glass ware, wood ware, tin ware, metals, machinery, and ail articles or products in the manufacture or composition of which metal, glass, pottery or wood is an element or factor wholly or in part, including the business of manufacturing, selling, importing, exporting, dealing in and dealing with novelties and specialties of every sort and kind, clocks, watches and all similar articles, lamps, caskets, hardware, bicycle sundries and fittings, celluloid goods, including the acquisition by purchase, manufacture or otherwise of all materials, supplies and other articles necessary or convenient for use in connection with and in carrying on the business herein mentioned, or any part thereof."

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 17th September 1902

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OSCAR GRAVELINE

Wallace Silversmiths, Wallingford

Oscar Graveline

Oscar Graveline, 89, formerly of 309 S. Main St., died Friday at Skyview Convalescent Home. He was the husband of the late Sarah Hines Graveline. Born in Wallingford July 11, 1884, he was the son of the late Napoleon and Adeline Graveline.

A former employee of Wallace Silversmiths, Mr. Graveline is survived by several nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held today at 8:15a.m. from the J.W. Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 209 Center St., with a mass of resurrection at Holy Trinity Church at 9 a.m. Burial will be in St. Lawrence Cemetery, New Haven.

Source: The Morning Record - 17th September 1973

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GOLDSTEIN AND FRIEDMAN

Philadelphia

Two Jobbers of Philadelphia Arrested in New York as They Were About to Sail for Europe

Philadelphia, Pa., May 18.–Isaac Goldstein and A. Friedman, both of whom live at 111 N. 40th St. and who have carried on a jobbing jewelry business on Market St. near 4th St., selling imitation stones, plated ware and cheap trinkets to dry goods stores and the like, are awaiting trial in this city charged with conspiracy to obtain money under false pretense and passing bogus checks. The men were arrested as they were about to sail Saturday from New York for Europe on the Red Star liner Vaderland under assumed names.

It is declared that they had obtained on worthless checks about $16,000 from business men of this city. The warrant for their arrest was sworn out by Abram Titleman, 1510 Tasker St. The latter with his partner, Jacob Dubinsky. notion dealer, 516 Lombard St., lost $2,200.

Goldstein and Friedman had been in the jobbing jewelry and notion business on Market St. until recently, when they went into bankruptcy with liabilities of about $5,000. But they had enjoyed an excellent name among firms of the city and a week ago when they presented personal checks for advance cash their business friends readily obliged them. All came back marked no account.

The men took with them to New York 10 trunks. It was through the shipment of so many trunks away from their residence that suspicion was aroused and the warrant issued without delay. Its observance was effected in the nick of time. In a few minutes the men would have been out of jurisdiction on their way across the ocean.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 20th May 1908

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EAGLE SPOON COMPANY

New Haven, Connecticut


HE LEFT THE FACTORY

GRANNIS HELPED HIMSELF TO EAGLE SPOON Co's STOCK

The Superintendent Was Doing a Land Office Business For the Company Apparently Without the Concern's Knowledge

Edward Leon Grannis is a nice sounding name, something haughty about it, just like Edgar Stanton Maclay - but it was not so nice it was handled with gloves in the New Haven city court last Tuesday. Edward Leon was a prisoner at the bar and on the bar-table - or whatever one wants to call it - was enough table silverware to stock a small store. There were knives, forks and spoons enough to supply a dozen newly married couples with presents.

Edward used to be superintendent of the Eagle Spoon company of New Haven. He was accused of stealing - that's a hard term - the silverware and selling it to get some beastly money. He didn't take the factory from all accounts. Anyway he wasn't charged with stealing the building. Unlike Edgar Stanton Maclay he knew when he had enough.

As an accomplice to the ex-superintendent Charles J. Lehr was held on the same charge. The testimony given by Captain of Detectives Cowles indicated that Edward Leon and Lehr had been doing a land office business in under-priced silverware. Grannis said that as near as he could remember he sold 106 dozen spoons, knives and forks.

Grannis and Lehr had the defense that Grannis was acting as salesman with the full consent of the company and Lehr was the selling agent. Lehr did not leave his job as grocery clerk while acting as first-hand man for Edward. The selling agent part evidently required little time. Lehr sold goods to his boss, Clifford E. Minor, on December 13, and on that alleged unlucky day Lehr and Grannis were arrested. They should have postponed the sale until the 14th.

City Attorney Webb prosecuted the cases and William H. Ely defended Grannis. Judge Dow wanted to deliberate on the case and announced that he would not give his decision until to-morrow, December 30.

Source: Bridgeport Herald - 29th December 1901

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OLIVER L. EKLUND

Providence, R.I.

S. & B. Lederer Co. - Wightman & Hough Co. - S. K. Merrill Co.


THINK HE WAS MURDERED

Wide Search for Expert Locket Maker Who Disappeared After Automobile Trip with Two Strangers

Providence, R. I., May 1.–Much interest is being manifested in the jewelry trade in this city and vicinity in the solving of the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Oliver L. Eklund, one of the most expert and best known locket makers in the local industry. He was last seen early Sunday evening, April 26, when he left his home on Laura St. to carry two men in an automobile to Taunton, Mass.

Monday morning the machine, bespattered with blood and showing evidences of the occupants having been engaged in a struggle, was found abandoned at Dorchester, Mass., several miles from where the party had started for, but Mr. Eklund was missing. Although the police of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, assisted by Boy Scouts and others, have been investigating the case all the week the missing man or his body have not been found. Evidences, however, have been discovered to warrant the conclusion that the missing man has been murdered and "his body probably thrown into one of the ponds or swamps in the vicinity of where keys, coins and clothing which have been identified as belonging to Mr. Eklund have been found. These articles were found near where the machine driven by him was seen standing by the roadside on a lonely cross road about 9:30 o'clock the night he disappeared, and the hat which he wore was found under the seat of the auto with a place torn in one side toward the back as though cut by some tool like a wrench or similar weapon.

Mr. Eklund, who was 26 years old, was to have been married in September. He has been in the employ of S. & B. Lederer Co., 100 Stewart St., for the past two years, where he was a "jobbing journeyman" making lockets by the job and employing a gang of men and girls to assist him. He was previously employed in a similar capacity for the Wightman & Hough Co., 7 Beverly St., and later by the S. K. Merrill Co.

A brother of the missing jeweler, Irving Eklund, had previously operated a jitney business and owned three or four machines. He had developed a considerable business in buying and selling diamonds, mounted and loose, and was reputed to have become comparatively wealthy. He is said to have carried large sums of money and valuable diamonds and jewelry about with him, and it is the theory that mistaken for his wealthier brother, the missing man was engaged to drive a couple of New York "gunmen" on the lonely trip to Taunton and then killed.

During the World War Oliver Eklund served in the 66th Artillery, made up from the Coast Artillery companies of the New England National Guard. Today more than 500 volunteers, including many shop mates and former comrades in arms searched the section where it was supposed that the murder occurred, but without finding a single trace of the missing man.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 5th May 1920

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BORSHEIMS

Omaha, Nebraska

Jewelry of Stars

Billionaire Warren Buffett showed up at a Omaha, Neb., jewelry store to show off time-pieces that belonged to Queen Victoria, Albert Einstein and Marie Curie.

The exhibit opened Sunday at Borsheim's jewelry store and is part of the annual shareholder's meeting of Berkshire-Hathaway Inc., Buffett's investment conglomerate.

Buffett owns 80 percent of Borsheim's.

Other watches displayed belonged to Rudyard Kipling and Pope Pius IX.

"This extraordinary exhibition of timepieces is rarely shown anywhere in the world." Buffett said.

The most expensive watch is on sale - for $6 million. The large gold pocketwatch performs 33 functions, including a celestial chart to track movement of 2,800 stars and a calendar to record the date until the 27th century.

Source: Herald-Journal - 27th April 1992

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WILLIAM O. HUTCHINS & Co. (formerly STERNS HUTCHINS)

Providence, R.I.

W.O. Hutchins & Co.'s Plant Passes Into the Hands of J. D. Warren & Co.

Providence, R. I.. Feb. 27.–The ring manufacturing business of Wm. O. Hutchins & Co., 27 Eddy St., has been purchased by J. D. Warren & Co. William O. Hutchins's tragic death at the hands of a burglar whom he was trying to capture at his residence on Angell St. one evening last Summer is well remembered by the trade, especially in this city, where he was prominent in business and social circles. The business which he was successfully conducting at the time of his death was founded by his father, Sterns Hutchins. The latter had retired from active connection with the details of management, though still retaining an interest, and the firm name and style had been changed from Sterns Hutchins to Wm. O. Hutchins & Co. The young man had grown up in the business and was familiar with all its details.

Sterns Hutchins had no desire to take up again the cares of business from which he had retired and some time ago placed the plant and good will in the market as administrator of his son's estate. J. D. Warren saw the advantage of acquiring an established and successful business and on Feb. 23 the necessary papers were drawn making him the successor of Wm. O. Hutchins & Co. Mr. Warren was formerly secretary of the Kent & Stanley Co., Ltd., and is well and favorably known among members of the jewelry fraternity in Providence and throughout the country. He proposes continuing his new business, which, by the way, has never been stopped, along the same lines which the late Mr. Hutchins pursued to such good advantage and will keep up the standard of the factory's output.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 1st March 1899

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BIRMINGHAM

Spoons and forks are still the backbone of the trade, and daily there grows up an increased demand for those special alloys which "wear as white as silver." Peruvian silver still finds Messrs. Hands and Sons workpeople full employment, and "Potosi" silver grows in popularity. This latter firm have just commenced to build a new factory in Newhall Street, in close proximity to Messrs. Elkington's works.

Source: The Jeweller and Metalworker - 1st June 1886

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WHITING Mfg.Co. - F.M. WHITING Co. - FRANK M. WHITING & Co.

North Attleboro, Massachusetts


F. M. Whiting Co. Agree to Change Their Name to Frank M. Whiting & Co.

The action brought by the Whiting Mfg. Co., New York, against the F. M. Whiting Co., North Attleboro, Mass., which was tried before Judge Pryor, of the Supreme Court, last November, as published in full in The Circular at that time, has at last been settled out of court, a result of negotiations covering a period of five months.

The suit was brought by the Whiting Mfg. Co. to restrain the defendant company from using a griflin trade mark (since discontinued), and from doing business under their corporate name of F. M. Whiting Co. by the settlement just consummated, the F. M. Whiting Co. consent to an injunction against the future use of their old trade mark, but all goods containing it are free from interference by the plaintiffs. They also consent to change their name from the F. M. Whiting Co. to Frank M. Whiting & Co., and have reincorporated under the latter name in the State of Rhode Island. The defendants also agree to pay $400, about one half the disbursements paid out by the plaintiffs.

It is agreed by the Whiting Mfg. Co. that the action against F. M. Whiting Co. and the actions brought against the defendants' customers to restrain them from selling F. M. Whiting goods be discontinued.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 5th May 1897

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G.H. JOHNSTONE - GORHAM

Birmingham


Mr. G.H. Johnstone has presented to the Birmingham museum and art gallery several excellent specimens of modern American metal work, principally hammered iron and copper, incrusted with silver. The forms in most cases are good, and the decorative treatment, principally of a Japanese character, admirable. Particular interest attaches to the collection, as the objects have been executed under the direction of a former student of the Birmingham school of art, Mr. George Wilkinson, who is now art director of the Gorham company at Providence, U.S.A.

Source: The Artist - June 1885

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CHARLES W. WATROUS

Derby, Connecticut

Death of One of the Oldest Silver Platers

Derby, Conn., July 3.–Charles W. Watrous, one of the best known and oldest silver platers in the country, passed away at his home in this city to-day. The deceased was 65 years of age and widely known in the silver trade. Death was due to paralysis of the throat.

Mr. Watrous was a very ambitious man and enjoyed working hard. Although foreman of the silver plating department of the Silver Plate Cutlery Co., in Shelton, he did more work in a day than any of his assistants. He comes of a family of platers, and has four brothers in this State in the same line of business. One brother, Henry, and the deceased were associated in the plating business in Hartford and New Haven for several years. The partnership dissolved nearly 13 years ago by each taking one shop. Charles retained the Elm City business. Both firms were prosperous before and after the dissolution of partnership.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 7th July 1897

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