The history of the Past Times jewelry trademark founded by Historical Collections Group Plc began in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1989. The similar company Historical Collections Group Plc was also registered in 1995 in the United Kingdom. However, both companies and their Past Times trademark ceased to exist in 2005. In fact, Past Time was one of several trademarks owned by HCG Plc. Among them, in particular, were Windrush Mill, Art Room, The Maritime Company, and more.

Inspired by the 18th century rococo designs, museum pieces, early 20th century Art Deco, and Celtic motifs, Past time craftsmen made retro designs, which is quite consistent with the name of the brand. Traditionally, the craftsmen used gold, sterling silver, marcasite, onyx, rock crystal, turquoise, faux pearls and glass. The maker’s mark includes letters “Past Times”, or “PT”.

Noteworthy, jewelry production took place both in the United States and abroad, including Great Britain, India and Thailand. The company sold Past Times jewelry through a world wide mail order catalogue and its representatives in the UK, France, India and other countries.

In addition to jewelry making, the company was engaged in retail store services featuring household merchandise, clothing, accessories, cosmetics, plants, ornaments, statues, figurines, pots, carpets, rugs, etc.

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The history of Goldberg – Kirschman Company Inc. on manufacture of gold and sterling silver jewelry began in the late 1930s. Headquartered at 665 Fifth Ave., New York, N.Y., the firm became known as a manufacturer of original miniature rank insignia pins.

In fact, this was natural for jewelry companies working during that wartime. Worn by wives, sweat-hearts, mothers and sisters who had loved ones in service, these decorations were made from heavy 14 K gold, and cost from $12.

According to The Jewelers’ Circular Keystone (1942) the company employed “the craftsmen with over 30 years’ fine jewelry experience.
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The history of Kreisler jewelry brand began in 1913 in New York and lasted sixty-five years. Its founders were Jacques Kreisler (1890 – 1974), Edward Stern and Marcus Stern. Originally, the company concentrated on the manufacture of fine jewelry but turned in 1933 to the production of popular-priced watch bands and men’s jewelry.

21 year-old Hungarian immigrant Jacques Kreisler came to New York in 1911 and began working for Marcus Stern Manufacturing Co., jewelry firm located at 41 Maiden Lane. In 1914 sons of Marcus Stern (1856 – 1919), Edward Stern and Tobias Stern in partnership with Jacques Kreisler founded Jacques Kreisler & Co.
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Founded in New York City in 1895, the Lidz Brothers Company was a well-known manufacturer, exporter and importer of buttons, as well as buckles and sewing accessories. One of the major suppliers of buttons and other sewing notions in the U.S., the company had two divisions.

One of them sold to apparel manufacturers while the retail division serviced a variety of retail customers including department stores, and fabric shops.

In addition to buttons, the Lidz Brothers made high quality costume jewelry in Victorian, Art Deco and classical styles typical of that time.
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One of the oldest American jewelry companies, Imperial Pearl Co Inc began its history in 1917 in Providence, Rhode Island. Its founder was 24-year-old Joseph Gladstone, who successfully ran the company for forty years. Initially, Imperial Pearl Co Inc manufactured exquisite jewelry under the brands – “IWI” and “Imperial”. The trademark “IPS” (an abbreviation of the company name) appeared only in 1941, when the president of the company Joseph Gladstone renamed it the Imperial Pearl Syndicate.

The design of “IPS” jewelry is quite classic and traditional for post-war jewelry fashion. In particular, exquisite floral motifs, circular brooches with curls, filigree oval cameos, etc. Creating jewelry by hand, the jewelers used gold filling, silver, rhinestones, crystals, and of course, pearls.
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Born in Australia and educated in England, Victor Salomon Silson (1895 – 1979) went into the diamond business in Paris with his brother Jack. In the early 1930s, he moved to the United States and married Mala Kolin (Helena Rubinstein’s niece).

While remaining in the jewelry business, Silson turned to creative work, particularly the design of costume jewelry. His artistic designs included figural brooches and fur clips, for which he filed patents mainly in the 1940s.
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The history of the Ernest Steiner Original jewelry brand began in 1932 in New York and lasted until 1970. In fact, the Ernest Steiner company which owned the trademark was no newcomer in the trade, having been continuously in the costume jewelry field ever since 1911. Ernest Steiner Original was one of three trademarks registered by Ernest Steiner & Co., Inc.

The second trademark “Hot Cha” for the production of bracelets, necklaces, rings, earrings, clips and brooches was also registered in 1932. The brand name Hot Cha is American slang meaning Flashy, vivacious, attractive, desirable. The third trademark ES for gold jewelry dates back to 1962.
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