Founded in Providence on January 1, 1946, by brothers Alvin and Robert Rice, Barclay Co was a continuation of the 85-year-old Rice-Weiner & Co. Alvin Rice became the company’s president and Robert Rice became treasurer. Their father, Isaac L. Rice, founded the famous Rice-Weiner & Co. in 1911.

Before founding Barclay, both brothers worked for their father’s company for 20 years. Alvin was the sales and promotions manager, while Robert served as the director of operations. After their father’s death in 1940, the brothers purchased his interest in Rice-Weiner & Co., and on December 31, 1945, they dissolved their partnership in Rice-Weiner Co.

Louis C. Mark, who was the chief designer of Rice-Weiner for 15 years, became the secretary of the Barclay Company. Noteworthy, he also taught at the Rhode Island School of Design.

In addition, Seymore Winograd, who became the vice president of the Barclay Company, also held an executive position at Coro, Inc from 1937 to 1942. He graduated from Brown University and the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration.

The Barclay Co manufactured women’s gold jewelry, which they sold only through wholesale distributors. Notably, the company occupied the same plant that Rice-Weiner had operated for the past 20 years at 150 Chestnut St., Providence. By 1946, they had completed an ambitious modernization program of the plant and office.

Barclay Providence Jewelry Company History

In 1956, ten years after the company began operations, the management and design staff of the company changed. Thus, Kirby I. Stewart replaced Seymore Winograd as vice-president, Robert Rice became treasurer and secretary. Moreover, the company became corporation.

According to 1964 Providence (Providence County, R.I.) City Directory, Barclay Jewelry Inc., jewelry manufacturers, the company was active. Noteworthy, jewelry companies of the same name also existed at this time in New York, Chicago, and Florida.