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.

The company of Goldberg – Kirschman enjoyed success in the 1940s, starting to expand products and new jewelry lines. Thus, in 1945 the company launched the “Old Crest” trademark and opened a new office at 501 Madison Avenue, New York 22, N.Y. Such magazines as Jewelers’ Circular Keystone (1942-1949), Harper’s Bazaar (1947) featured their “bench-made” sterling silver and gold pieces.

Noteworthy, in 1947 Lewis Kirschman became the sole owner of the company. He renamed the company to Lewis Kirschman Company, Inc., in 1951 and continued manufacture of fine jewelry under the Old Crest brand. Today very rare, quality jewelry pieces marked with stylized GK Co on a round cartouche, or “Old Crest” have become highly collectible.

Goldberg – Kirschman Vintage Fine Jewelry (1940s)