The history of jewelry manufacturer Harwood Mfg Co began in Providence in 1926 and spanned seven decades. Today, jewelry from this company is rare and highly collectible. Information about the company, its jewelry lines, and the materials used for jewelry creations has been preserved through advertisements, which appeared most frequently in the 1940s and 1950s.

The most interesting and informative ad was in Jewelers’ Circular in March 1951, confirming the company’s founding date – 1926. According to the advertisement, “It has been an interesting quarter century. Through two world wars, depressions, and booms, the firm has persevered.”

The company expressed hope for another quarter century of existence and promised to continue producing high-quality jewelry that America wanted to wear. The promise was kept. The company produced high-quality gold and silver jewelry, which it sold exclusively through major wholesalers.

Jewelry Lines

Harwood’s most popular jewelry lines included: Lord Harwood Expansion Watch Bracelets, Lady Harwood Expansion Watch Bracelets, Rhinestone Watch Attachments, Leading Lady Bracelet, and Jack and Jill Children’s Jewelry. Also, Locket Sets, Cameo Jewelry, Rhinestone Jewelry, Crosses, Pendants, and Rings.

Samuel H. Workman

In 1939, Harwood Mfg. Co., 50 Tobey Street, became a corporation, with Samuel H Workman, Morris Horovitz and Zelda S. Delerson as shareholders. The company was headed by Samuel H Workman, the son of Abraham P. Workman, with whom he had partnered in the jewelry firm A. P. Workman & Son at 53 Clifford Street in Providence.

In the 1920s, Samuel H. Workman was a prominent businessman and partner in several Providence jewelry firms, including A. P. Workman Mfg., The Rabinowitz Co., the India Ivory Co., and The Novelty Sales Co. In addition, in the 1910s, he served as an attaché of the American Legation at Port-au-Prince, Hayti. He also chaired or served on the board of directors of several social, charitable, and Jewish organizations.

Business expansion and incorporation

The Harwood Mfg. Co., a jewelry manufacturing corporation, was re-incorporated in 1941. The incorporators were Samuel H Workman, Louise Mollo, Anthony Susi, and Harold C. Arcaro. Harwood had offices in New York, Chicago, West Coast and Los Angeles. Among the heads of these offices were Fred Whitney, Al Trachman, and Lou Jacobs.

In 1953, nationally advertised Harwood company added sponsorship of two television programs to promotional activities on behalf of its “Leading Lady” flexible bracelets and other accessories. The programs were: The John Reed King Show and Journey Through Life.

Jewelry and ads