The history of the Joseph H. Meyer Bros company began in 1888. The original address of the Meyer brothers’ company was 944 Broadway, Brooklyn. Among the founders of the company were three brothers – Joseph H Meyer (1872-1903), Benjamin J Meyer (1874–1943), and Isaac S Meyer (1875-1926).

Unfortunately, Joseph Meyer died tragically in January 1903. According to newspaper note of January 1904, “his body was found floating in Gravesend Bay”. Joseph Meyer was 31 years old, and had been in business for himself since he was 18. He had worked for his uncle, Leo Meyer, for five years before founding his company.

In 1909 Joseph H Meyer Bros became a corporation with a capital of $75,000. Isaac S Meyer, Benjamin J Meyer, and Maximilian C Meyer (1873-1964) continued jewelry manufacture. At first the concern manufactured platinum and diamond jewelry but later engaged in the pearl business.

The office and factory at 220 25th Street in Brooklyn manufactured jewelry and had showrooms at 389 5th Avenue and 59 Nassau St., New York. Following the death of Isaac and Benjamin, Max Meyer took over of the firm and led the company until his retirement in 1959.

Richelieu pearl jewelry by Joseph H Meyer Bros

Noteworthy, the company registered dozens of trademarks for the production of jewelry from 1911 to 1959. However, the most famous and popular became Richelieu. Registered in 1911, Richelieu offered necklaces, brooches, pendants and earrings with high-quality pearl (Pearloid) that was difficult to distinguish from natural pearl. The company pointed out the uniqueness of its pearls, which would retain their luster and shine for many years, unlike artificial pearls.

Meanwhile, there were interesting publications about the armed robbery of the factory and the company, and even twice in 1910 and 1926. Thanks to these notes, we know that H Meyer Bros was quite large, the office was on the first floor, and the factory on the second, and more than 500 people worked there.

Joseph H Meyer Bros exhibited their jewelry pieces at art exhibitions and in museums, including MoMA – The Museum of Modern Art from 1938 to 1940.

In the 1960s Joseph H Meyer Bros merged with the Lisner jewelry house, and in 1976 they became Lisner-Richelieu corp.

Jewelry by Joseph H Meyer Bros