English-born Harry W Iskin (1886-1968) came to the United States in 1907 and settled at 22 Christian Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. According to his job advertisement in the Jewelers’ Circular on March 25, 1908, young Harry Iskin already had experience in the jewelry business. Specifically, he was a designer, engraver, and had skills in gilding and stone setting.

Harry married Pennsylvania native Leah G. in 1911, and they had two daughters, Evelyn and Pauline. After working for some time in jewelry workshops he founded his company Iskin & Magee in 1913 in partnership with a local jeweler. The company was located at 114 South 8th Street, Philadelphia. Noteworthy, it was 1913 that Harry Iskin indicated for the next forty years as the founding date of his company.

New Locations

The company of Harry Iskin, an engraver and badge maker, was gaining popularity and expanding its business. Thus, in early 1921 Iskin & Magee changed its address to 8th and Sansom Sts. In mid-1921 Iskin became the sole owner of the company and continued its activities at the old address. However, the following year his company Harry Iskin moved to a new address of 728 Chestnut St.

Since 1921, the company began marking its products with letter I superimposed over H. In the 1930s, the company produced brooches, rings, bracelets, and tie pins made of marcasite.

Business Expansion

In addition, the company opened offices in Los Angeles and New York in 9 Maiden Lane, room 1402, with Charles S Bruder in charge. Bruce Gordon, who married Harry’s daughter, Evelyn Iskin, in 1936, joined Iskin’s jewelry business as a partner. Among the company’s management team of the 1940s, were Bruce Gordon, R B Simons, A. Kraemer, H. Rasinsky, Jack Scalise, Merrill S. Harris, Charles S Bruder, Joseph Gram, and Max Feinberg.

Jewelry Production

The firm specialized in birthstone pendants, made of sterling silver, rhodium-plated or gold-plated and set with genuine marcasite, sold through wholesalers. Harry Iskin, since 1936 conducted as the Iskin Mfg Co marked success in its new and attractive lines of jewelry.

In December 1938 the Iskin Mfg Co removed its New York office and showroom from room 1402 at 9 Maiden Lane to room 1005 in the same building.

The Iskin Mfg Co moved to its new and larger plant at the northeast corner of 12th and Cherry Sts. The new quarters provided not only greatly enlarged and more modern shop facilities, offices and showrooms, but a more convenient location as well. The factory was extremely light and airy, illuminated by a cold-cathode lighting system.

Bankruptcy

Being at the peak of its success, for unknown reasons, the company went bankrupt, according to the note published by The Times on December 28, 1953. In January 1954 his company was sold out.

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