Established in 1930 Accessocraft Products Corp, 389 Fifth Ave, wholesale jewelry firm in New Rochelle, N. Y., has been active for over 60 years. Its founders were Edgar Roedelheimer (1902 – 1989), president and treasurer, and Theodore Charlei Steinman (d. 1978), vice-president and secretary.

Noteworthy, before opening Accessocraft, they both worked as sales agents for Monocraft Products Co., 137 Fifth Ave., New York, N. Y. The hallmark of the firm was heraldic and patriotic jewelry.

Accessocraft heraldic brooches, necklaces and buckles with Maltese crosses, lions, coats of arms, shields and crowns were very popular.
Noteworthy, the company donated 40 % of the wholesale price of British Emblem Pins, in 18 K gold plate and enamel, to Allied refugee relief.

According to 1953 Directory of Manufacturing Firms of New York, president of Accessocraft Products Corporation at 389 Fifth Avenue was Edgar Roedelheimer. He also headed the plant at 48 Lawton Street, New Rochelle. Theo C Steinman was vice-president, and Ezra L. Denby was assistant treasurer. The firm’s staff consisted of 100 employees.

Business expansion and opening of branches

Notably, in March 1960 Accessocraft opened a London office which employed 80 personnel. They began selling costume jewelry to London, Paris and Australian jewelry stores. In the 1970s, Accessocraft launched ethnic-style jewelry line: massive necklaces with lucite, Czech glass and semi-precious stones.

Thanks to its impeccable reputation, many renowned design studios and fashion designers collaborated with Accessocraft. Among them were Robert Appleby, Albert Freedman, Pauline Trigère, and Anne Klein.

Famous for costume jewelry, Accessocraft also manufactured accessories, which corresponded to the company name. For example, stylish Accessocraft belts in various designs often appeared in the 1950s and 70s on the pages of fashion magazines such as Vogue, Mademoiselle and others.

Following the death of his father, Paul (Lynn) Steinman ran Accessocraft Products Corp until it closed in 1996.

Vintage costume jewelry by Accessocraft