The Lance Corporation which owned Hudson Pewter jewelry trademark was incorporated in August 1964 in Hudson, Massachusetts. The founder and president of the Lance Corporation was a native of Massachusetts, Everett Raymond Kennedy (1928 – 2014), also known as Ray Kennedy.

In fact, Hudson Pewter was the first of several trademarks registered by the Lance Corporation. Other jewelry trademarks founded by the Lance Corporation included Offcanvas (1991-1998), Frolicking Friends (1985 – 1992), TLC (1981 – 2002), Hudson (1980 – 2001), and Hudson Pewter (1975 – 2000).

Although Lance was best known for its art metal sculpture, the craftsmen also created pewter jewelry – brooches, pendants, lapel pins, and earrings. Traditionally, the designs included Victorian and Art Nouveau styles, giving the jewelry an antique look.

Noteworthy, within a decade of its existence, the Lance Corporation became a leader in the production of artistic metal sculpture. Lance, in collaboration with Prescott Baston, Louise Shuttuck, Don Polland, and other artists, created series of sculptures from high-quality pewter or cast porcelain.

One of the most popular series of sculptures was the Noah’s Ark collection with “Noah” and “Mrs. Noah”, and more than 100 animals.

Everett Raymond Kennedy, president of the Lance Corporation

After graduating from the Wentworth Institute of Technology and serving in the U.S. Army, Ray Kennedy worked for the company of Atkins and Merrill in Sudbury, Massachusetts. In 1964, he founded the Lance Corporation and led the company as its president until his retirement in 1988.

Veteran of the WWII, Ray Kennedy was an extremely versatile man, with an incredible array of interests and skills in a variety of fields. These included meteorologist, financial consultant, political scientist, auto mechanic, ship captain, fish farmer, real estate magnate, and ornithologist, to name a few.

After Ray Kennedy’s retirement, the Lance Corporation, which employed about 225 craftsmen, and located at 321 Central St., Hudson, moved to 518 Quinobequin Rd., Waban, Massachusetts. The company’s president was Ron Larson, then Eugene Kohn Cohn. The Lance Corporation ceased to exist in 2002.

Hudson Fine Pewter Art Nouveau Style Jewelry