Herman Bogoff, better known as Henry Bogoff (1906 – 1958) came from Warsaw, Poland, in 1922, and settled in New York as a manufacturer of dress ornaments. In New York, he met Yvette Glazerman, also an immigrant, and the couple married. Later, when the couple moved to Chicago, Yvette helped Henry in the jewelry business.

Henry and Yvette moved to Chicago in 1930 and established Gay Bee Jewelry Company doing business as Jewels By Bogoff. Henry Bogoff was president-treasurer of Gay Bee Jewelry Company, and his wife Yvette (Glazerman) Bogoff served as the company’s vice president.

Henry’s wife, Yvette, worked full-time for the Bogoff company until the birth of her third child. With the end of World War II there was a sharp demand for costume decorations, leading to an expansion of the Bogoff business. Accordingly, the company expanded its presence in the jewelry market.

In 1949, Henry Bogoff, president of Gay Bee Jewelry Co., manufacturers of “Jewels by Bogoff,” announced their move to new and enlarged quarters at 31 South Franklin St., Chicago.

The company’s heyday

According to the 1950s ads, Jewels by Bogoff was nationally advertised, leading manufacturer of costume jewelry with permanent showrooms at 366 Fifth Avenue, New York; 31 South Franklin Street, Chicago; 231 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, and 607 South Hill Street, Los Angeles.

By the early 1950s, Jewels by Bogoff employed over 200 people and supplied jewelry to such renowned retailers as Sears, J.C. Penny, Saks Fifth Avenue, Carsons, Hudson, and Zales. Bogoff was a regular advertiser in leading fashion magazines of the time, including Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue.

New appointments

In 1956, the company made significant personnel changes, appointing key representatives in various states. Thus, Charles C. Lukoff was appointed general sales manager of Jewels by Bogoff, 31 South Franklin St., Chicago. He previously covered the Chicago territory for the firm.

Other appointments of sales representatives included Fred H. Swenson for the Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana territory, Dan Crowley for the New England states. Robert Sillman, well known in jewelry circles, became representative for the states of Michigan and Ohio.

The premature death of the founder

Unfortunately, Christmas 1958 became a tragic day for both the company and the family – Herman Bogoff died. The talented jewelry designer and inventor, Henry Bogoff was only 51 years old. Although Yvette tried to keep the business going, the loss of Henry led to the company’s closure in the early 1960s.

Rho-Jan Vanitie Compacts

In 1944, Henry Bogoff and Yvette Bogoff, in partnership with Edward S. Michals and Betty Michals of Chicago, formed a compact manufacturing company Rho-Jan. Noteworthy, the Bogoffs named the company after their daughters Rhoda and Janet. Advertized in fashion magazines in mid-1940s, Rho-Jan Vanities, Inc was among the exhibitors at National Jewelry Fairs.

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