MARKS OF EARLY AMERICAN SILVERSMITHS
United States
Many Authorities Cooperated in Preparing “Authentic Silver Marks of the U. S.”
Never has any volume on old American silver marks been published under more favorable circumstances than the posthumous work on “Authentic Silver Marks of the United States” by the late Ernest M. Currier, founder of the firm of Currier & Roby, New York silversmiths.
Many of the best minds on antique silver are co-operating with Mrs. Currier in bringing out a work that will be the standard for years to come.
The material has been edited by Mrs. Kathryn C. Buhler, assistant curator of silver in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. This was made possible by the curator of silver at the Boston museum, Edwin J. Hipkiss, who permitted all the book material to be assembled in the museum and, as there are silver specimens and marks that are invaluable, they could be taken care of in the museum vaults during the period of compiling.
Hollis French, of Boston, who published a book of American silversmiths and their marks two years ago, has aided greatly with his expert knowledge.
Dr. George B. Cutten, president of Colgate University, who recently published a book, “The Silversmiths of Utica,” was Mrs. Currier’s counsellor and friend. Stanley B. Ineson and Stephen Ensco cooperated.
John Marshall Phillips of Yale will proofread the work, which will be on the market in October, when the Jewelers' Circular-Keystone will be glad to review it.
It is rarely found that an author on this subject is an expert craftsman as well as a collector. Ernest M. Currier was the master mind in the factory and could go to the bench any time and do any part of silversmithing expertly. For over 30 years he was a designer as well as a collector of marks, of which he had upward of 2,000. He could tell the date of a piece of silver by the craftsmanship or workmanship.
He was given permission by his customers to photograph early makes that came to him for repairs or to be reproduced and in this way he was able to secure rare marks and also make reproductions for the market.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular-Keystone - September 1938
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The Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade
Re: The Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade
JEWELER'S CAR SAVES WINDOW-CLEANER
Pittsburgh
Henry Grabowsky, 20, window washer, fell five floors and landed on top of an automobile owned by Walter M. Bonn, treasurer of the M. Bonn Co., wholesale jewelers, Penn Ave., on Jan. 11. Grabowsky was engaged at the time in washing windows in the rear of the Bonn building when he suddenly slipped and plunged toward the ground. Rushed to a hospital, he was quickly X-rayed and found to be suffering only from minor cuts and bruises. A large dent was made in the top of Mr. Bonn’s car.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular-Keystone - February 1940
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Pittsburgh
Henry Grabowsky, 20, window washer, fell five floors and landed on top of an automobile owned by Walter M. Bonn, treasurer of the M. Bonn Co., wholesale jewelers, Penn Ave., on Jan. 11. Grabowsky was engaged at the time in washing windows in the rear of the Bonn building when he suddenly slipped and plunged toward the ground. Rushed to a hospital, he was quickly X-rayed and found to be suffering only from minor cuts and bruises. A large dent was made in the top of Mr. Bonn’s car.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular-Keystone - February 1940
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Re: The Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade
PRECIOUS METAL SHORTAGE
Germany
Will Germany Change Its Rings ?
An Associated Press report from Berlin, Sept. 14, indicated that the use of substitutes in Germany has extended to the jewelry trade to the extent that a shortage of precious metals would change the metal used for engagement and wedding rings. According to this report, the Gold and Silver Institute, the Ringmakers Guild and the National Precious Metal Industry Association had on that day announced that they were perfecting a metal for use in wedding and engagement rings as “durable as gold.”
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - October 1934
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Germany
Will Germany Change Its Rings ?
An Associated Press report from Berlin, Sept. 14, indicated that the use of substitutes in Germany has extended to the jewelry trade to the extent that a shortage of precious metals would change the metal used for engagement and wedding rings. According to this report, the Gold and Silver Institute, the Ringmakers Guild and the National Precious Metal Industry Association had on that day announced that they were perfecting a metal for use in wedding and engagement rings as “durable as gold.”
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - October 1934
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Re: The Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade
THE DEATH OF RICHARD DIMES
Boston, Massachusetts
Richard Dimes, Sr.
Boston, Mass.—Richard Dimes, Sr., founder in 1900 of the Richard Dimes Co., Boston silversmiths, passed away June 30 at the age of 81 at his home in Winchendon, Mass., where he had lived with a daughter since his retirement from active business three years ago.
Mr. Dimes, a descendant of a long line of silversmiths, was born in England where he learned his trade. He came to America as a young man to work for the Gorham company.
Seven children survive him, among whom is Bertram Dimes, treasurer and general manager of the Richard Dimes Co.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular-Keystone - August 1936
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Boston, Massachusetts
Richard Dimes, Sr.
Boston, Mass.—Richard Dimes, Sr., founder in 1900 of the Richard Dimes Co., Boston silversmiths, passed away June 30 at the age of 81 at his home in Winchendon, Mass., where he had lived with a daughter since his retirement from active business three years ago.
Mr. Dimes, a descendant of a long line of silversmiths, was born in England where he learned his trade. He came to America as a young man to work for the Gorham company.
Seven children survive him, among whom is Bertram Dimes, treasurer and general manager of the Richard Dimes Co.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular-Keystone - August 1936
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Re: The Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade
SHREVE & Co. MANUFACTURE GOLD ROOSTER
San Francisco
Shreve & Co., historic San Francisco jewelry firm, is putting the finishing touches on the most elaborate job its craftsmen have ever tried: a 15 pound, 10-inch high, 18 karat gold rooster. The expensive ($40,000) bird will adorn the new Golden Rooster room of the Nugget gambling hall outside Reno.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular-Keystone - July 1958
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San Francisco
Shreve & Co., historic San Francisco jewelry firm, is putting the finishing touches on the most elaborate job its craftsmen have ever tried: a 15 pound, 10-inch high, 18 karat gold rooster. The expensive ($40,000) bird will adorn the new Golden Rooster room of the Nugget gambling hall outside Reno.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular-Keystone - July 1958
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Re: The Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade
SAPPHIRE OF ST. PETER
Rome
The famous 'Sapphire of St. Peter' which has been lost for nearly five years has just been found in the kitchen of the home of a noted receiver screwed up in a newspaper and stuffed into a shelf crevice. The sapphire was stolen with other treasury gems most of which were located after the principals in the theft were convicted. For nearly five years the police have systematically searched for the sapphire and it was only by keeping a close watch on the stolen goods receiver after he served his term that the authorities eventually unearthed the missing gem. The Sapphire of the Apostolic Ring, as it is known, is placed on the finger of the image of the Apostle in the Basilica of St. Peter every June 29. The restored sapphire, along with other gems (two large pearls and two emeralds) which adorned the crucifixes of the main altar of the Basilica on special feast days, have been identified by the officials of the Treasury of St. Peter.
Source: The Morning Post - December 1929
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Rome
The famous 'Sapphire of St. Peter' which has been lost for nearly five years has just been found in the kitchen of the home of a noted receiver screwed up in a newspaper and stuffed into a shelf crevice. The sapphire was stolen with other treasury gems most of which were located after the principals in the theft were convicted. For nearly five years the police have systematically searched for the sapphire and it was only by keeping a close watch on the stolen goods receiver after he served his term that the authorities eventually unearthed the missing gem. The Sapphire of the Apostolic Ring, as it is known, is placed on the finger of the image of the Apostle in the Basilica of St. Peter every June 29. The restored sapphire, along with other gems (two large pearls and two emeralds) which adorned the crucifixes of the main altar of the Basilica on special feast days, have been identified by the officials of the Treasury of St. Peter.
Source: The Morning Post - December 1929
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Re: The Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade
AN AMUSING INCIDENT
Buffalo, New York
On Tuesday of last week an unusual incident made pedestrians in lower Main St. laugh heartily. Patrolman Casey was passing the pawnshop and jewelry store of Moses Cohen, 201 Main St., and was directly under Mr. Cohen’s “three-ball’’ sign, when it dropped, one ball at a time. The first ball hit the policeman on top of the head, bounced upward, finally striking the sidewalk and rolling into the gutter. Mr. Casey, with angry face, whirled around and looked up just in time to receive, in quick succession, full in the face, the remaining two gilded spheres. Then he ran, for his thoughts were crowded with earthquakes and the like. The shouts and the bystanders’ laughter, however, had the effect of checking his flight and restoring his good humor.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 16th May 1906
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Buffalo, New York
On Tuesday of last week an unusual incident made pedestrians in lower Main St. laugh heartily. Patrolman Casey was passing the pawnshop and jewelry store of Moses Cohen, 201 Main St., and was directly under Mr. Cohen’s “three-ball’’ sign, when it dropped, one ball at a time. The first ball hit the policeman on top of the head, bounced upward, finally striking the sidewalk and rolling into the gutter. Mr. Casey, with angry face, whirled around and looked up just in time to receive, in quick succession, full in the face, the remaining two gilded spheres. Then he ran, for his thoughts were crowded with earthquakes and the like. The shouts and the bystanders’ laughter, however, had the effect of checking his flight and restoring his good humor.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 16th May 1906
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Re: The Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade
JEWELER'S SON KIDNAPPED
Philadelphia
Son of Philadelphia Jeweler, Kidnapped a Week Ago, Rescued by Police
Philadelphia, Pa., June 18. — The most sensational case of kidnapping in which any jeweler in the trade has ever been involved was solved to-day when Freddie Muth, the seven-year-old son of Charles Muth, was restored to his father in the office of Mayor Weaver, and the kidnapper, the first to risk a life sentence in this State, was also brought before the Mayor and finally committed to jail.
While the public and trade wondered and became skeptical the detectives, always sure their man had not left town, waited their opportunity to seize their criminal prey. This opportunity came to-day. The boy and the man who kidnapped him were found in a newly built but yet unoccupied house at 63d and Vine Sts. The little lad was asleep, making a pillow of the school books which he had with him when the man took him from his school under pretense of taking him to his mother, whom he said had been seriously injured. All sorts of clues were followed out, and though the detectives were assured that they had the right man, they were careful to mislead the public and the newspapers as far as possible that the suspect might not make his escape. It was known that the man’s first intention was to kidnap the child for a handsome ransom, and much anonymous correspondence passed between him and the officials and members of the Muth family.
The man arrested is John Joseph Keane, a former well known real estate agent and broker, but now in a position of little consequence in connection with a West Philadelphia building operation. He had hidden the Muth lad in one of the untenanted houses in an operation of which he had charge. When trapped he attempted an escape, which was cut off by a show of weapons. The boy was found safe and sound. The prisoner is a married man with three children, which fact makes his crime all the more incomprehensible. In the week in which the Muth child has been away his mother has been bordering on the verge of nervous prostration.
Mr. Muth has occupied the store at 1632 Columbia Ave. for about seven years. He has been widely known and much esteemed in the local trade for more than 10 years. His Columbia Ave. store is one of the handsomest and finest in that section of the city.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 20th June 1906
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Philadelphia
Son of Philadelphia Jeweler, Kidnapped a Week Ago, Rescued by Police
Philadelphia, Pa., June 18. — The most sensational case of kidnapping in which any jeweler in the trade has ever been involved was solved to-day when Freddie Muth, the seven-year-old son of Charles Muth, was restored to his father in the office of Mayor Weaver, and the kidnapper, the first to risk a life sentence in this State, was also brought before the Mayor and finally committed to jail.
While the public and trade wondered and became skeptical the detectives, always sure their man had not left town, waited their opportunity to seize their criminal prey. This opportunity came to-day. The boy and the man who kidnapped him were found in a newly built but yet unoccupied house at 63d and Vine Sts. The little lad was asleep, making a pillow of the school books which he had with him when the man took him from his school under pretense of taking him to his mother, whom he said had been seriously injured. All sorts of clues were followed out, and though the detectives were assured that they had the right man, they were careful to mislead the public and the newspapers as far as possible that the suspect might not make his escape. It was known that the man’s first intention was to kidnap the child for a handsome ransom, and much anonymous correspondence passed between him and the officials and members of the Muth family.
The man arrested is John Joseph Keane, a former well known real estate agent and broker, but now in a position of little consequence in connection with a West Philadelphia building operation. He had hidden the Muth lad in one of the untenanted houses in an operation of which he had charge. When trapped he attempted an escape, which was cut off by a show of weapons. The boy was found safe and sound. The prisoner is a married man with three children, which fact makes his crime all the more incomprehensible. In the week in which the Muth child has been away his mother has been bordering on the verge of nervous prostration.
Mr. Muth has occupied the store at 1632 Columbia Ave. for about seven years. He has been widely known and much esteemed in the local trade for more than 10 years. His Columbia Ave. store is one of the handsomest and finest in that section of the city.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 20th June 1906
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Re: The Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade
GAS EXPLOSION WRECKS JEWELER'S SAFE
New Haven, Connecticut
Safe Damaged, 3 Men Overcome in Gas Explosion
New Haven, Conn. — When a safe accidentally slammed shut, causing protective gas cells to explode, three employes of Samuel H. Kirby & Sons, Inc., 972 Chapel St., were overcome by the fumes at closing time on June 9. A woman customer was also affected by the gas. Frank Kelleher, one of the affected clerks, was unconscious for about an hour.
The blast wrecked the interior of the safe, shattering all woodwork and scattering the contents. The tear gas was contained in two large glass vials connected by two plungers to the safe combination.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular-Keystone - July 1937
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New Haven, Connecticut
Safe Damaged, 3 Men Overcome in Gas Explosion
New Haven, Conn. — When a safe accidentally slammed shut, causing protective gas cells to explode, three employes of Samuel H. Kirby & Sons, Inc., 972 Chapel St., were overcome by the fumes at closing time on June 9. A woman customer was also affected by the gas. Frank Kelleher, one of the affected clerks, was unconscious for about an hour.
The blast wrecked the interior of the safe, shattering all woodwork and scattering the contents. The tear gas was contained in two large glass vials connected by two plungers to the safe combination.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular-Keystone - July 1937
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Re: The Snippet - Past News of the Silver Trade
JOSEPH ASSCHER
Deauville, France
The death of Joseph Asscher, famous European diamond cutter, who cleaved the Cullinan diamond and other famous stones, was reported in a special cable to the New York Times, Aug. 19. Mr, Asscher died in Deauville, France. He was aged 66.
A master of the diamond cutting art, Mr. Asscher’s first achievement of note was the cleaving of the 973-carat Excelsior diamond for de Beers of London, The 3,000-carat Cullinan was cut five years later, and presented to King Edward VII by the South African government. For this accomplishment he was rewarded with a massive silver bowl. The Queen of Holland conferred on him Knighthood of Orange-Nassau.
He lived in Paris for more than 40 years and was president of The Netherlands Chamber of Commerce there and managing director of the diamond firm of J. Asscher et Compagnie, Paris. Three years ago when the Netherlands diamond industry was reorganized Asscher was named as one of the heads of the new organization, which was supported by the government and financed by the Amsterdamsche Bank.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular-Keystone - September 1937
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Deauville, France
The death of Joseph Asscher, famous European diamond cutter, who cleaved the Cullinan diamond and other famous stones, was reported in a special cable to the New York Times, Aug. 19. Mr, Asscher died in Deauville, France. He was aged 66.
A master of the diamond cutting art, Mr. Asscher’s first achievement of note was the cleaving of the 973-carat Excelsior diamond for de Beers of London, The 3,000-carat Cullinan was cut five years later, and presented to King Edward VII by the South African government. For this accomplishment he was rewarded with a massive silver bowl. The Queen of Holland conferred on him Knighthood of Orange-Nassau.
He lived in Paris for more than 40 years and was president of The Netherlands Chamber of Commerce there and managing director of the diamond firm of J. Asscher et Compagnie, Paris. Three years ago when the Netherlands diamond industry was reorganized Asscher was named as one of the heads of the new organization, which was supported by the government and financed by the Amsterdamsche Bank.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular-Keystone - September 1937
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