The Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade

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WENDELL Mfg. Co.

Chicago


The Wendell Mfg. Company, silversmiths, newly incorporated, with a capital of $100,000, to manufacture table and art ware in solid silver, are equipping a factory at 220 Washington street, Chicago, and will have everything in readiness to produce goods for the market this fall.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - June 1890

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A TOO-POWERFUL PITCHER

Toronto


An engraver named Frank Biddis, employed by the American Watch Case Company, of Toronto, met with a very singular and painful accident on the 22nd of last month. It appears that Biddis is a very skillful base-ball pitcher, and while practicing at noon hour on the day named, and delivering the ball, the bone of the arm was broken in two places above the elbow, by the force of the effort. He was taken to the hospital where the breaks were attended to, but the doctors say that it will be about two months before he can resume work.

Source: The Trader - November 1886

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THE CANADIAN PLANS OF THE INTERNATIONAL SILVER Co.

Montreal


Montreal, Can., Aug. 20.—It has been decided to remove the establishment of Simpson, Hall, Miller & Co. from Montreal to Hayter St., Toronto, and A. J. Whimbey, the manager, will be installed at the latter place permanently after Sept.1. Mr. Whimbey has been in the service of the company in Montreal nearly 20 years, during 14 of which he has been manager in Canada; he has also been Mayor of the neighboring municipality of St. Lambert several times. The intention of the International Silver Co. is to make their sterling goods at Hamilton, at the Meriden Britannia Co.'s works; the silver plate will be made by the Standard Silver Co., Toronto, and Simpson, Hall, Miller & Co.’s name will be used for partial distribution. The store of Simpson, Hall, Miller & Co., on Notre Dame St., Montreal, will be kept open until Christmas, but after that date all Montreal business will be done by means of travelers. C. H. Tibbits was in Montreal a few days ago, completing arrangements for the removal of the Simpson, Hall, Miller & Co.’s factory. Most of the staff is being transferred to Toronto, and will nominally be employed there by the International Silver Co.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 30th August 1899

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FRENCH ASSAY FIGURES

Paris


The official returns of the Assay Office at Paris show that between 1857 and 1871 the aggregate consumption of silver in the Arts was 1,141,282 kilogrammes, or an annual average of 76,085 kilogrammes: the total value of the silver used in the fifteen years is given at 213,800,000 francs, or £8,120,000.

Source: The Art Journal - Vol. XIV - 1875

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SILVER PLATING PLANT AT THE HOTEL METROPOLE

New York


Owing to the hard usage to which the silverware in a modern hotel is put, and the large number of silver-plated articles in use at such a place, the management of the Hotel Metropole, at Forty-second street and Broadway, New York, saw fit some time ago to install their own silver-plating plant to renovate all articles from which the silver had been worn off. The plant, which has been in operation for some time, has fully justified the first cost of the outfit, and has shown the economy and feasibility of this novel scheme. The United Electric L. & P. Company, which supplies current to the hotel, leads its high potential circuit into the sub-cellar, where it is transformed to 220 volts by means of two 1,000-light converters. In close proximity to this place the hotel management has installed the silverplating plant, which consists of the following apparatus: A 2 h. p. 200-volt 2-phase Tesla motor running at 1,800 revolutions per minute, belted by means of a countershaft to a buffer running at 3,000 revolutions per minute, and a plating dynamo delivering 75 amperes at a pressure of 5 volts; the necessary fuses, an overload circuit breaker and the conductors, which in this case are hollow copper tubes, leading to the various vats. There are in all four of these vats, each holding 25 gallons of liquid. They are the nickel, copper, silver and striking solutions, the use of which will be explained later. The writer witnessed the plating of an old soup ladle which had been discarded some time ago on account of its utter uselessness as a piece of ornamental tableware. To better understand the operation of silver-plating this ladle, let us follow each step as though we were watching the process. At first, the article is buffed until it appears clean and free from oxides or dirt. It is then dipped repeatedly in hot triple X lye in order to remove all traces of grease, after which it is washed off in water. It is then placed in a copper bath where it receives a very thin but complete coating of copper. It is now taken to the buffer again and given a high polish, stale beer being used during this operation, after which it receives a thin preliminary coating of silver in the striking solution which prepares it for its final coating of silver. The duration of each process is left entirely to the trained judgment of the operator, who can judge the thickness of the deposit by the action of his electrolyte and the amount of bubbles given off at the electrodes. After the article has been thus plated, it is dried off by being placed in sawdust, and is then finally given its exquisite polish by means of the buffer.

The entire operation, which has lasted less than twenty minutes, makes the article as good as new at a very small expense of energy. The small plant installed here is said to be of sufficient size to handle all the plating of four hotels of this size, only one or perhaps two operators being required to handle this output. As the operator at this hotel is not kept busy constantly, the guests not eating the silver off with sufficient rapidity, he devotes the remainder of his time to the buffing of the silverware. Mr. J. M. Lux, the treasurer of the hotel, to whom much credit is due for this novel installation, states that the management has effected a considerable saving in silver-plating expenses since this plant has been installed. Mr. Max Wahl is chief engineer of the hotel and Mr. D. Valintini, an experienced silver-plater, is employed as operator. There is obviously an illimitable field for the extension of such work.


Source: The Electrical Engineer - 14th July 1898

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INTERNATIONAL SILVER Co. FOREMAN ARRESTED - THEFT AND BIGAMY

Meriden, Connecticut


In John Malowiejeski, arrested in Meriden, July 25, the police of that city believe they have captured a clever thief. Malowiejeski was one of the foremen in factory “H,'’ of the International Silver Co., from which, it is alleged, he stole several hundred dollars’ worth of flat ware, which was sold in Southington. The police claim that they have recovered $100 worth of the goods. They also make an additional charge of bigamy against the man. The factory officials were not aware of the thefts until after the police had developed the facts in the case.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 2nd August 1911

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TRADE BOOMING AGAIN

Sheffield


The cutlery industry of Sheffield is again in a most flourishing condition, after a steady decline of almost 50 years. With the elimination of German competition in this field every maker in Sheffield is enjoying undreamed of prosperity. Works are besieged by buyers asking for goods, reversing the usual order of things, where travelers go out seeking to obtain orders. There is no question of finding a market for goods. The market exists for each article before it is produced. It is reported that the same would be the case if the entire Sheffield output could be doubled, says the New York Times.

The scarcity of labor in this line, the greatly increased wage scales of the workers, and the higher prices that will prevail for cutlery and electroplated tableware are strongly marked features of the new conditions. Sheffield cutlers and grinders were poorly paid before the war, this being true of even the skilled workers. Now they find there are opportunities for earning big pay at this work. Operatives are turning into proprietors, almost 500 of these individual manufacturers of cutlery having come into existence overnight, as it were. Big and little, progressive or otherwise, they are all making money, and Germany is looked upon as out of the running in this field for several years, at any rate.

The silver and electroplate trades report an almost equally flourishing condition, with orders far in excess of production, and a scarcity of labor, especially of the highly skilled class. Price increases have not discouraged orders, and the growth is particularly marked in the more expensive silverware. Makers report that the heaviest and most costly goods have been most in favor with buyers.

The most marked increase, however, is noted in the sale of spoons and forks, in silver, and nickel and aluminum, plated and unplated, and this is largely accounted for by trade taken away from Germany. There has been a big increase in wages in this industry and advances in the selling prices are calculated as averaging about 110 per cent.

Advances in price in cutlery are most marked in cheaper grades, the increases in those grades being much larger proportionately than in the more expensive articles. Following are a few examples of wholesale prices, selected from makers' lists, representing a fair average:

Table knives with celluloid handles and penknives with two blades, both of which articles sold in 1913 at 7 shillings and 6 pence per dozen, are 20 shillings per dozen today; electroplated table spoons and electroplated forks, which sold in 1913 at 16 shillings and 9 pence per dozen, today are 35 shillings a dozen; teaspoons which sold at 6 shillings and 6 pence a dozen have gone up to 13 shillings; scissors which sold at 4 shillings and 6 pence in 1913 are now 15 shillings a dozen.

The old-time cheap cutlery, it is said, will never again appear in the market. There is no cheap labor available to produce it.


Source: English Speaking World - March 1920

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A SON OF HUGUENIN, THE FAMOUS WATCHMAKER, DIES IN A CABIN

Milford, Pennsylvania


Milford, Pa. Dec. 23 .—Fritz Huguenin, son of the famous watchmaker of Neuchatel, Switzerland, was found dead in a cabin at Brown’s lumber camp, twenty miles back in the Pike county wilderness, a few days ago where he was employed as cook. He was born in Neuchatel, and was a graduate of Heidelberg University, and bore on his cheek a scar received in one of the student duels. He learned his father’s art, and was sent by his father to this country in 1860, to represent the house of Huguenin in New York city. He spent there a large sum of money in a short time, and came to Milford, which is the home of many families, natives of France and Switzerland. He opened a watchmaking shop. He married in 1860 a daughter of a prominent French citizen of Milford.

His mode of life was such that a few years later his wife separated from him. In 1871 he joined the United States regular army. He was in Custer’s command, and his time expired only a few days before the battle of the Little Big Horn, in which Custer and his entire command were killed. Huguenin returned to Milford, where he had since earned a living as a cook. He had been at the Brown lumber camp for some months. A sister of his came from Switzerland in 1884 and endeavored to induce him to return to Neuchatel, but he refused. He was 52 years old, and death resulted from apoplexy.


Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 4th January 1893

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THE ADVANCING PRICE OF SILVER AND OTHER METALS

United States


Silverware and articles made of plated silver, Britannia metal, pewter, copper, brass and bronze are advancing In price because of the increased cost of metal. The manufacturers of silverware are anxiously watching the result of the Government's action in resuming the purchase of silver bullion. They say that any further advance in the price of the white metal will necessitate new price lists all around for the coming holiday trade.

"Silver has been going up steadily for more than a year," said one manufacturer, "and it is 10 cents higher than it was early in last year, being about 67 cents an ounce. Three years ago the manufacturers bought bullion for less than 50 cents an ounce."

Britannia wares, which are commonly plated with silver, and are sold in competition with other silver alloys and plate, have also been going up, because not only the silver, but other metals, are much higher than formerly. Tin, which is nine-tenths of the alloy, costs more than 41 cents a pound, while a year ago it sold for 33 cents. Antimony and copper, which also enter Into the metal mixture, have also advanced.


Source: Fabrics, Fancy-Goods and Notions - November 1906

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LANDERS, FRARY & CLARK

New Britain, Connecticut


A Damascus Blade

Landers, Frary & Clark, New Britain, Conn., manufacturers of fine Table Cutlery, have prepared for distribution a dainty and artistic monograph in pamphlet form, entitled “A Damascus Blade.” This gives a running history of steel and sword making in medieval times, as practiced in Damascus, Toledo, Milan and Ferrara. One can almost hear Peter the Hermit preaching the crusade, and see Richard Cour de Lion and Saladin battling for possession of the Sepulchre, all the while he is being tuned up to concert pitch on the admirable qualities of Damascus steel, from which were wrought the famous blades, reputed as capable of cleaving at a blow an iron helmet, or severing a silken scarf floating in the air. Gradually the reader is brought down to date and informed that the celebrated Count Anossoff, Master of the Fabric of Arms, at Zlatoust. Siberia, after much study and many experiments, has succeeded finally in reproducing Damascus steel of the original quality. The statement is also made that Landers. Frary & Clark have secured a supply of this material and have fashioned it into sets of Carvers, mounted in stag and ivory, which are beautifully illustrated in the pamphlet, the shape and finish being shown and described. These goods are branded with the figure of an Oriental Scimeter, with the initials F.L. & C. and a star in the center. The pamphlet is interesting and well worthy a careful perusal.


Source: The Iron Age - 17th January 1895

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ANNUAL MEETING OF THE N.A.G.

Manchester


The annual meeting of the National Association of Goldsmiths, which was held in Manchester in the early part of the month, was full of surprises. The Honorary Organizing Secretary, who was one of its founders, refused to allow his name to be put forward for re-election on the score of ill health. As a matter of fact, as my notes have indicated on more than one occasion, there has been a considerable amount of friction owing to his methods. It is true he has been unwell, but it is equally true that the greater portion of the members are thankful to be in a position to elect a younger man. I am not sure that that will materially help the association, unless the meetings are held in a more businesslike manner. The rule by Executive and Council is not entirely to the liking of the more democraticly inclined, and it was found at this meeting that the youngest branch was inclined to be very critical over the “re-cooked joint,” which had been annually served up to do duty as the annual report.

The discussion upon technical education in gemmology was one of the matters of serious trade interest brought forward, and the day’s labor was of a very strong but comparatively negative character. The new Hon. Secretary, who was a founder of the association, and has been its chairman, is a country jeweler, living right in the north of England, right away from the central cities; a good man, but un-get-at-able by the general secretary, who lives near London.

Meanwhile the big Scottish Branch, which seceded from the N. A. G. last year, has held its first annual meeting as the Scottish Association of Watchmakers & Jewelers, and shown its businesslike qualities by dealing with a series of important resolutions of considerable importance to the trade.


Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 5th August 1908

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THE END FOR THE SPOON AND FORK FILERS

Sheffield


The Sheffield spoon and fork filers are now beginning to feel the effect of the introduction of machinery into their work. A considerable number of hands have lost their employment from this cause, and it is believed that others will soon be in the same position. Under the old system spoons and forks left the stamp with rough edges; these were filed smooth in readiness for the plater or finisher. The men employed upon this work, together with the stampers, were sufficiently numerous to constitute a trade society. It occurred to several manufacturers that the work might be equally well done by means of the emery wheel run by female, instead of male, labour. The suggestion has been practically carried out, the object being to cheapen production. The machine also enables more work to be done in a given time.

Source: The British Trade Journal - 1st October 1897

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ART-WORK IN SILVER

United States


During the last twenty-five years the improvements in form and design in silver-ware have been as marked as the processes of manufacture, and at the Centennial Exhibition it was generally conceded that the American manufacturers of this ware were unexcelled. Among the foremost Art-workers in this material is the “Meriden Britannia Company," which has recently opened a large and sumptuous wareroom in Union Square, New York. Years ago when the so-called britannia metal, or composition, was manufactured as a substitute for silverware, this company was organised to use it as a specialty; but, with the improvements perfected by its skilled workmen in the trade, its methods were gradually changed, and to-day the composition britannia is almost unknown in its shops, and nickel and other approved metals form the base of all of its Art-work of oxidised silver and engraved glass. In speaking of the Meriden manufactures, the highest praise must be awarded to the fine plated wares, designed for daily use in a household, and the elegant structure which the company has just erected is in accord with its progress in the arts of design, and forms a suitable as well as tasteful place for the exhibition of its works.

Source: The Art Journal - 1877

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THE CHASE Mfg. Co.

Providence, Rhode Island


The jewelry plant of the Chase Mfg. Co., 46 Clifford St., was sold Thursday noon at public auction under order of James W. Lees, trustee in bankruptcy. The purchaser was Amos M. Bowen, Jr., and the sale, it is understood, was in the interest of some party or parties who will continue the business in which the Chase concern has been engaged. The price paid was $3,925.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular- 1st April 1908

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SILVERSMITHS' DISPUTE

Sheffield


We are threatened with another serious dispute, this time in the silver trade. The men have made a demand for concessions in the production of sterling silver goods which are equivalent to an advance of 25 per cent. Manufacturers have at present to meet the difficulty of fluctuating values in silver, and with such a further advance on the working costs it will be a very grave drawback to them. One manufacturer says that he has up to the present in plating goods set his face against German-made material, by using which his neighbours are able to undersell him; but their success in taking his trade with these cheaper grades, and the continuous demands of his workmen, compel him to follow their example and seek to retain what is left of his business in distant markets, and partly at home, by using the low-priced qualities offered him by foreign representatives.

Source: The British Trade Journal - 1st October 1897

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SALE OF ONEIDA SILVERWARE Mfg. Co. PREVENTED BY INJUNCTION

Oneida, New York


Oneida, N. Y., April 13.—An injunction was served last evening on Charles A. Stringer, of Munnsville, restraining him from selling the tools, manufactured and unmanufactured stock, implements and fixtures of the Oneida Silverware Mfg. Co., Ltd., of this city. The sale was to have been held this morning at 10 o’clock, pursuant to an order of Supreme Court Justice George F. Lyon, of Binghamton.

The injunction was obtained by Sidney W. Moore. of this city, through Risley & Love, of Utica, his attorneys. The order was granted by Supreme Court Justice William E. Scripture, of Rome, and is returnable before him April 27. Harry W. Coley is the attorney for Mr. Stringer and will contest the injunction. About a month ago Mr. Stringer was appointed receiver of the company upon petition of a majority of the directors, including Mr. Moore, by an order of Judge Lyon.

Mr. Moore, who obtained the injunction, has always been prominently identified with the silver ware company and for many years has been the president of the board of directors. He claims in his affidavit on which the restraining order was granted that the other directors have entered into a conspiracy to deprive him of his interests in the company. He also alleges that he was induced to sign the petition for the voluntary appointment of a temporary receiver by misrepresentations.


Source: The Jewelers' Circular- 17th April 1901

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THE GOLDSMITHS AND SILVERSMITHS COMPANY

London


At the ninth ordinary general meeting of the Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company, Limited, held at the Criterion, Piccadilly Circus, on Friday, the 10th inst., the directors presented their report, with the profit-and-loss account and balance-sheet for the year ending Jan. 31, 1908, showing a net profit for the year, after making ample provision for all depreciations on leases, fixtures, dies, etc., of £45,719 12s. 1d. After adding the balance of£17,580 9s.4d., brought forward from last year’s accounts, deducting the interim dividends paid in September, and making provision for the four months’ dividend on the Preference share capital from Sept. 20, 1907, to Jan. 31, 1908, there remained at disposal the sum of £37,050 1s. 5d., which was appropriated as follows: To pay a final dividend at the rate of 7½ per cent. per annum for the six months ending Jan. 31, 1908; to carry to reserve fund £5000, raising that fund to £85,000; and to carry forward the balance of £20,800 1s. 5d. to the new profit-and-loss account. Mr. W. H. Willoughby was elected a director of the company, and, in returning thanks, said he desired to make special reference to Mr. William Gibson, who had been the founder and very nurse of the business. Mr. Gibson’s whole heart was in the undertaking, and he intended shortly to resume his very active share in its direction.

Source: The Sketch - 22nd April 1908

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STATUETTE OF THE MARQUIS OF EXETER

London


Statuette of the Marquis of Exeter.—The equestrian statuette presented to the Marquis of Exeter by past and present brother officers of the Northamptonshire Regiment is now on view at the Grosvenor Gallery, where it will remain till the end of the season. It was carried out in silver by Messrs. Hancocks & Co., of New Bond Street, after the model from the life by Mr. C. B. Birch, A.R.A., and is an exceedingly life-like representation, creditable to both sculptor and silversmith.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st August 1889

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THE QUEEN CITY SILVER Co.

Cincinnati


The Queen City Silver Co., of Cincinnati, filed papers of incorporation with the Secretary of State last Saturday. They will make silverware and conduct a general manufacturing jewelry business. The capital is $25,000. The incorporators are Jas. E. Mooney, E. P. Harrison, H. H. Bechtel, H. R. Betts and C. A. Gordon.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 17th February 1897

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REORGANISATION OF O.M. DRAPER

North Attleboro, Massachusetts


The firm of O. M. Draper Estate, North Attleboro, has been reorganized and the O. M. Draper Company has been formed under Rhode Island laws, with a capital stock of $87,500. Since O. M. Draper died in 1900, his executors continued the business with Dr. Edwin Hale, his son-in-law, as manager. The complicated provisions in the trust that his will created have just been fulfilled and made a reorganization possible. Dr. and Mrs. Hale are the only parties to continue their interest in the new firm.

Source: The Metal Industry - September 1911

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