Author: JewelryID

Bill Agnew Regimental Costume Jewelry

Bill Agnew Regimental Costume Jewelry (1945 - 1953)
Vogue February 1949. Bill Agnew Regimental Costume Jewelry (1945 – 1953)

Thanks to him, elegant American women in the mid-20th century wore authentic regimental awards as jewelry. William R. Agnew, who served in the U.S. Army, was wandering through a Paris flea market one day in 1945, looking for an unusual gift for his fiancée. He found a Napoleonic belt buckle that she might appreciate as jewelry.

She was so delighted that Agnew decided that American women might also appreciate military trinkets. He ended up buying about 80 kilograms of military items, including uniform buttons, buckles, shoulder insignia, and the like, which he sent home and transformed into earrings, pins, bracelets, clips, and belt buckles.
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Kimler & Daniel Jewelry Manufacturing Company

Kimler & Daniel Jewelry Manufacturing Company (1936 - 1970)
November 1952 catalog marcasite jewelry. Kimler & Daniel Jewelry Manufacturing Company (1936 – 1970)

The history of the Kimler & Daniel jewelry company began in 1936, founded by partners Irving Kimler and Daniel in New York City. In 1937, the company became a corporation headed by Irving Kimler as president. Other company executives included members of the Kimler family: Seymour Kimler became secretary, and his brother Alvin Kimler served as treasurer.

Originally located at 34-36 Eldridge Street, the company soon moved to larger premises at 83 Canal St., New York 2, N.Y. The company remained there for over thirty years, until its closure in December 1969.
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New York Manufacturing Jewelers Cooper & Forman

New York Manufacturing Jewelers Cooper & Forman
Art Rings in platinum, July 1910. New York Manufacturing Jewelers Cooper & Forman

The history of Cooper & Foreman began in 1894 in New York City and spanned six decades, until 1955. Located at 3 Maiden Lane in New York City, the firm initially manufactured diamond and gemstone jewelry and traded in precious stones.

In fact, the firm’s history is inextricably linked with the biographies of its founders and presidents, of whom there were three over the course of those six decades. The first was William Cooper (1851-1926), then Arthur W. Foreman (1866-1931), and the last was Charles C. Pickford (1879-1954).
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Wolf and Klar Wholesale Jewelry Company

Wolf and Klar Wholesale Jewelry Company
March 1947 ad. Wolf and Klar Wholesale Jewelry Company

Alexander Wolf (1877-1947) and Jacob Klar (1884 – 1937) whose parents were immigrants from Russia and Germany, formed partnership under the name of Wolf and Klar in 1900. Initially, the young men were engaged in the jewelry trade, then opened their own store and pawn shop at 1505 Main Street in Fort Worth, Texas.

Despite the difficult times of the Great Depression of the 1920s, Wolf & Klar’s business was quite successful. It was during this time that the company became a leading supplier of firearms to Texas law enforcement agencies. This not only involved selling guns, but also creating collectible and unique models, thanks to their fine craftsmanship.
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Hingeco Jewelry Manufacturing Company History

Hingeco Jewelry Manufacturing Company History
Smart new compacts, September 1946. Hingeco Jewelry Manufacturing Company History

The history of the Hingeco company, also known under the Trueart brand, began in January 1924 in Providence. Its founders were Christopher L. Migliaccio (1897 – 1985) and Fritz R. Robinson. Located at 220 Eddy Street, the factory started manufacturing a general line of plated and sterling silver jewelry and novelties.

In March 1925 the Hingeco Mfg Co moved to larger premises at 73 Atwells Avenue, Providence, which increased its force and facilities with new machinery and other equipment. Moreover, the business expanded thanks to the newly organized jewelry company A. Shehan & Co. Christopher Migliaccio, Fritz Johnson, and Aram Shehan established A Shehan & Co at 9 Calender Street in November 1925.
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Robert De Mario Jewelry History

Robert De Mario Jewelry History
Earrings by De Mario, Vogue September 1963. Robert De Mario Jewelry History

Robert De Mario, of Italian descent, came to New York City as a child. After graduating from school, he began as an apprentice, and then as jeweler in local jewelry workshops. Having accumulated some initial capital, he founded his own company for manufacturing costume jewelry, importing, and retailing.

His company, Robert De Mario & Co., founded in the mid-1940s, was originally located at 392 Fifth Ave, New York City. Significant changes occurred in 1951, when the firm became a corporation with Robert De Mario as president. The company moved to larger premises at 435 Fifth Avenue, New York City, NY.
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Katz & Ogush Jewelry Company History

Katz & Ogush Jewelry Company History
Iridium platinum diamond jewelry, Harper’s Bazaar December 1930 ad. Katz & Ogush Jewelry Company History (1921 – 1952)

Benjamin S Katz (1892 – 1969), P B Katz and William B Ogush (1896 – 1956) organized the firm of Katz & Ogush, Inc., on January 17, 1921. Katz was president of the firm, William Ogush was vice-president, and Benjamin Ogush was treasurer. The company’s offices and factory were located at 33 West 60th Street, Manhattan, New York City.

According to the official gazette of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Katz & Ogush registered the K&O trademark for the production of various platinum and precious metal jewelry. The jewelry line included Pins, Bracelets, Watch Chains, Gem Settings, Mesh Bags, Vanity Cases, Barrettes, Brooches, Belt Buckles, Earrings, Fobs, Medals, Cuff Buttons, Veil Pins, etc.
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