The history of the Nanasi jewelry company began in 1945 and lasted nearly three decades, until 1968. Its founders were Nicholas Nanasi (1903-1985) and Yolanthe Nanasi (1915-2007). Interestingly, her name is spelled differently in different sources, as Yolanda or Yolanthe.

Nicholas headed the company as president, and Yolanthe served as secretary and treasurer. Thomas H. McCaffrey (1895-1950) served as vice president. Registered in West New York, New Jersey, Nanasi manufactured watch bracelets, necklaces, and men’s jewelry—cufflinks, tie clips, pins, and bracelets.

Nicholas Nanasi, president of Nanasi Co., was a jewelry designer and inventor who received patents for his inventions, a mesh bracelet and diamond design jewelry chain. He also frequently traveled on extended business trips to France and Italy, where he studied fashion trends in those countries and their influence on jewelry design.

Nanasi jewelry ads appeared regularly in Jewelers’ Circular from 1946 to 1960. The company also placed job advertisements in The New York Times during the 1950s and 1960s.

Corporation

In 1948, Nanasi became a corporation, headed by Nicholas Nanasi, president, and Thomas H. McCaffrey as vice president. Other executives included Martin Buckwald and Ely Ezra Ashkenazi, Nicholas Nanasi’s partner from 1953 to 1968.

At that time, the company was located at 11 E. 48th St., New York City, and ten years later moved to a more modern building at 184 Fifth Ave.

Traditionally, the company’s craftsmen used fillings of 12-18-karat gold, silver, brass and stones. Nanasi Co was known as the maker of the Mayfair watches, “the thinnest pocket watches in the world.”

Nicholas Nanasi retired in 1968 and moved to Florida where he lived until his death in 1985.

Vintage Jewelry by Nanasi Co Inc