The now-forgotten name of jeweler Roy W Johnston (1886–1967) was particularly well known in New York in the first half of the 20th century. The Jewelers’ Circular Keystone first mentioned Johnston in 1911, when he was working for Thomas F. Brogan, a jewelry manufacturer at 16 West 46th Street in New York City.

Incidentally, Johnston later contributed to the JCK magazine as an expert and author of articles on promoting the jewelry business, store management, and successful retailing. A recognized expert in the jewelry retail trade, he also designed and manufactured unique jewelry.

Johnston & Seckendorf

In 1917 Roy Johnston and Samuel Seckendorf (1873 – 1923) announced the formation of a partnership under the firm name of Johnston & Seckendorf. Located at 9 West 45th Street in New York City and 332 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, the firm manufactured platinum and diamond jewelry.

Due to Samuel Seckendorf’s sudden death in 1923, Roy Johnston dissolved the partnership in 1924. He started his own business in New York. His firm RW Johnston & Co (with its branch store in Palm Beach, Florida) was incorporated in June 1938.

RW Johnston & Co Inc

Johnston had other interests besides the jewelry business. Thus, his great passion was golf. Moreover, in 1929, members of the New York Golf Jewelers Association elected Roy Johnston as president.

In November 1935, Vogue featured Johnston’s jewelry store, nestled right in the center of the magnificent Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. According to the article, Roy Johnston specialized in custom jewelry creations—or modernizing old pieces. He could transform a pile of diamonds and pearls into something modern and beautiful.

For bracelet lovers, he created tiny platinum charms with diamonds. Among them, for example, was a miniature French telephone made of platinum. Moreover, if you moved the tiny dial around, it spelled “Hello” and “I love you,” The charm cost around $60, but thousands of other pendants started at around $25.

Shirley Temple

There was also another story connected with these pendants. Young actress Shirley Temple, vacationing at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York in 1938, often visited the jewelry store of Roy W. Johnston. One day, she purchased a gold bracelet and six tiny gold charms, which later adorned Temple’s wrist.

Among the charms were a tiny church with the Lord’s Prayer visible through its steeple/ Also, an hourglass with colored sand, a gold mesh purse containing a coin and a phonograph, a compass, and a Punch and Judy puppet theater set.

She came in at another time and told Johnston she wanted to buy a gift for her mother. She pointed to a diamond clip. “How much is that ?” she asked. Told it was $2,500 she twisted up her face, and pointed to other clips and brooches, each of which was valued at about $3,000. Finally she patted his arm and said confidentially: ‘“You’ve been very kind, Mr. Johnston, and I’ve taken up so much of your time, but I only have $10 to spend. I saved it from my allowance.”

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