Information Regarding Bailey, Banks & Biddle

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Two handsome silver centerpieces and a magnificent trophy were exhibited in the show window of Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co. last week. One was the Bermuda Challenge Cup presented by James Gordon Bennett, to be competed for in the motor boat race from New York to Bermuda in June of this year. It stands about three feet high, and is of gray finished silver on an ebony base Its design comprehends an etching of a yacht insignia of yachting and a space for an appropriate inscription. One centerpiece was for presentation to Col. Theodore E. Weidersheim by the Veteran Corps of the First Regiment. N. G. P. The regimental colors and an etching of a private soldier decorate it. The other centerpiece, which includes a silver plateau, is for presentation to the Rev. Chas. Wood, D.D., a distinguished clergyman.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 29th April 1908

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A. G. Lee. of Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co., has joined John Wanamaker’s forces and will have charge of the watch department. James Eddy, who was assistant superintendent of the silver ware department of Bailey. Banks & Biddle Co., has also gone to Wanamaker's in a similar capacity.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 29th September 1897

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The Bailey, Banks & Biddle Company secured the contract for the prizes for the Pennsylvania State Lawn Tennis Tournament to be held at Merion next week. This firm also made a handsome loving cup for the members of Battery A, Pennsylvania Light Artillery, to present to their captain, Barclay Warburton.

Source: The Jewelers Review - 14th June 1899

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The annual meeting of the Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co. was held last week. The present officers of the company were re-elected as follows: Joseph T. Bailey, president ; Charles W. Bailey, vice-president and treasurer, and Clement Weaver, secretary. More than 25 of the stockholders were present at the meeting. Henry S. Cattell counsel for the company, presided. Reports were presented, showing that the company had passed through a most prosperous year in 1906. The venture in building a large office building, the best part of which is occupied by the company as salesroom and factory, was shown to have been profitable beyond expectations. Following the business meeting of the company and its stockholders a dinner was given to the tenants of the building. This was held in the red room of the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel. About 120 tenants attended.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 27th March 1907

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W. P. Hanson, watchmaker, formerly with the Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co., resigned his position last week to engage in the business of manufacturing automobiles.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 1st May 1907

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E. Emery, lately watchmaker with the Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co., has assumed charge of the watch repair department of O. F. O’Neill, Kensington.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 27th March 1901

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Among departures for Europe last week were Mr. and Mrs. J. Albert Caldwell, of J. E. Caldwell & Co., and Clement Weaver, of the Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 24th May 1894

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Mr. Tice, buyer for the cut glass department of the Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co., has resigned his position and will establish himself in the same business in Rochester.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 8th September 1909

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The Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co. has made and designed the cups, medals, watches and shields for the North Wildwood Auto Club, to be presented as prizes at their auto and cycle meet on Labor Day. This house has also been awarded the contract for the trophies for the Bryn Mawr Horse Show exhibit, which will take place the latter part of September.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 8th September 1909

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Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co., announce the completion of the second edition of “Ancestry,” compiled by Eugene Zieber, which contains much new information respecting the Patriotic Hereditary Societies. The work is complete up to Oct. 25, 1895.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 27th November 1895

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Joseph T. Bailey and Charles W. Bailey, president and vice-president, respectively, of the Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co., have opened their cottage at Newport for the Summer.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 6th June 1906

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Charles Emery, watchmaker, for many years with Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co., has resigned his position with that house.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 27th February 1901

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Emil Kerth, for 18 years a watchmaker for J. E. Caldwell & Co., has severed his connection with that house and is now with Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 27th February 1901

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An example from 1958:










STERLING - BAILEY, BANKS & BIDDLE Co.

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Plans for the new building of the Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co., to be erected at 1218-20-22 Chestnut St., were filed Friday at the Bureau of Building Inspection for approval by the Thompson-Starrett Co. G. Starrett, of New York, prepared the plans, which provide for a 10 story structure, with a front of brick, granite and terra cotta, copper and plate glass. The building will be 75.5x76.11¾ feet. The factory will be constructed in the rear, on Sansom St., which will have an eight story frontage, and in area will be nearly as large as the store building. The present factory of the company, at 12th and Sansom Sts., is to be sold.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 4th March 1903

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Bailey & Co., 1869 - Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co., 1919

On Sept. 20, 1832, Joseph Trowbridge Bailey and Andrew B. Kitchen formed a co-partnership under the firm name of Bailey & Kitchen for the manufacture and sales of silverware, jewelry and kindred articles, and began business at 136 Chestnut St., which is on the South side of Chestnut St. east of 5th St., on the site now occupied by the Drexel building. Mr. Kitchen died in 1840.

The business was continued under this name until 1846, when E. W. Bailey formerly of Maiden Lane, New York, the brother of Joseph Trowbridge Bailey, and Jeremiah Robbins and James Gallagher, formed a co-partnership under the name of Bailey & Co. and continued business at the same place until 1859, when the company constructed a new modern building at 819 Chestnut St.

Joseph Trowbridge Bailey died on March 15, 1854 and Joseph Trowbridge Bailey, 2nd, entered the business in 1851 and was admitted to the company upon reaching his 21st year in 1856.

The old building at 136 Chestnut St. was sold to the United States Government and was a part of the plot upon which the Post Office Building was erected adjoining the old Custom House; the Old Custom House still remains in the same place.

In 1868 Bailey & Co. removed to the southeast corner of 12th and Chestnut Sts, occupying the entire first floor and basement but with their factories located in other buildings, which were later gathered in the new building which they erected at the southwest corner of 12th and Sansom Sts.

In 1878 Joseph T. Bailey, 2nd, of Bailey & Co., George Banks of J. E. Caldwell & Co., and Samuel Biddle of Robbins, Clark & Biddle, formed a co-partnership under the name of Bailey, Banks & Biddle, continuing business at the same address.

Mr. Biddle retired in 1893 and on March 2, 1894, the business was incorporated under the title of the Bailey, Banks and Biddle Co., with Joseph Trowbridge Bailey, 2nd, as president, Charles W. Bailey as vice-president and treasurer, Clement Weaver as secretary.

In 1903 and 1904 the present modern 10-story building was erected at 1218-20-22 Chestnut St. with a floor space of 76x230 and an eight-story factory 75x75, and occupied by the Co.

Clement Weaver died June 14, 1913, and Joseph T. Bailey, 2nd, died February 3, 1918. The present officers are Charles W. Bailey, president; Wilson A. Streeter, vicepresident and treasurer; David E. Hilsee, secretary.

Source: Philadelphia and Its Old Jewelers - Brief Sketch of a Few of the Leading Quaker City Houses, Which Can Trace Their Business History Over Half a Century—A Jewelers' Directory of 1869. - The Jewelers' Circular - 5th February 1919

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The stockholders of the Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co., at the annual meeting Tuesday, March 17. held at 11th and Walnut Sts., authorized all plans prepared by the officials of the company for the removal of the retail store and factory to the building erected for the firm at 1218-20-22 Chestnut St. The approximate cost of the new structure will be $375,000 and it will be, when completed, one of the handsomest jewelry stores in the country. The permit for its erection was issued last Thursday.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 25th March 1903

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The Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co. offer $100 reward and no questions asked for the return of a lady's gold hunting case watch worth $10, No. 277,771; about 16 S. ; engraved "C. L. Y,” and winding with a key. The watch was lost between Feb. 16 and 20 at the Hotel Walton.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 25th March 1903

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Charged with having robbed the Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co. of hundreds of dollars in cash, stamps and street car tickets, A. Johnson, Jr., for many years night watchman of the big salesroom at 12th and Chestnut Sts., was arrested last week and held by Magistrate Aloore in $800 bail for court. He confessed and some of the stolen goods have been recovered. Joseph T. Bailey, president of the company, says an example will be made of Johnson. Mr. Bailey says that several times before when the firm has been robbed the culprit was pardoned and the offense overlooked, but this time philanthropic thoughts will be cast aside and the prisoner will receive the full penalty.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 8th April 1903

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Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co.’s Display of Silverware

Philadelphia, Pa., March 25.—Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co. placed on exhibition last week what was probably one of the finest displays of silverware ever seen in this country. It was under the direction of S. Jaquette and J. W. Eddy, of the silver department, and of Thomas Mills of the art
department, and no expense was spared in making the exhibition perfect in every detail. The display was in the art room, and was embellished with most artistic surroundings in tapestries and silks, ferns, potted plants and cut flowers. Beautifully shaded candles and tapers shed a mellow light over the picture, and the crowds of fashionable people who thronged the handsome apartment during the week the exhibition lasted, testified to its artistic and intrinsically valuable merits.

It would be invidious to particularize any of the exhibits. Every piece in hollow or flat ware seemed to be still prettier than that seen before. Every notable manufacturer in the country contributed to the rich array of ware, and the extent and variety of unique and new things were astonishing. The Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co.’s chrysanthemum sterling 925-1000 silver exhibits attracted much attention, while the products of the Whiting Mfg. Co., Gorham Mfg. Co., Dominick & Haff, Goodnow & Jenks, Wm. B. Durgin, Ludwig, Redlich & Co. and other famous silverware houses created genuine admiration.

In the elaborate and apparently countless array of silver beauties there was no article omitted that had ever received the attention of the silversmith’s art. There were table services, toilet articles, mantel ornaments, cabinet specimens, besides the entire range of cutlery. Odd specimens from France, Germany, Holland, Italy and England lent still more variety to an exhibition practically endless in its varied attractiveness.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 27th March 1895

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