Born in Italy Ralph A Polcini (1888 – 1954) came to the USA in 1907. He founded the Leading Jewelry Mfg Co, 366 Fifth Avenue, New York, in 1911. On his return from service in the Army in World War I he added real estate to his interests.

Incorporated in March 1921, with the capital of $20,000, The Polcini Mfg Corp., began the jewelry business in the Bronx, according to a charter of incorporation filed at Albany, N. Y. The incorporators were H. Cohen, P. A. Riche and Ralph Polcini, 328 E. 150th St.

Ralph Polcini was a charitable man and led an active social life. He belonged to Rotary, the Elks and the Foresters, donating on humanitarian projects worldwide, programs for children and veterans.

Gold Medal Award for excellence in design

Ledo and Polcini jewelry lines were nationally advertised in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and New York Times Magazine. In 1951 Ralph Polcini of Ledo Jewelers, 366 Fifth Avenue, New York, received Gold Medal Award for excellence in design from Emil Alvin Hartman, director of the Fashion Academy. The presentation took place at the Academy offices in New York.

The same year jewelry designer Marianne Ostier (1902-1976) of 742 Fifth Avenue, granted sole and exclusive rights to her costume jewelry designs to Ledo Jewelers, 366 Fifth Ave., New York and Mamaroneck, N. Y. These items included Skin-Pins, personal adornments which may be fastened securely and harmlessly to the bare skin.

Although Ralph Polcini was an excellent designer himself, many famous jewelry designers of the time also created jewelry for his company. Among them, for example, was Ernest Steiner. According to the JCK 1944 ad, well known designer Ernest Steiner created jewelry for the Leading Jewelry Co, under the direction of Ralph Polcini.

Lee Menichetti (1931 – 1997), New York based artist, sculptor and jewelry designer created jewelry for “Jewels by Polcini Inc”. Thus, Vogue 1971 featured her patriotic and figural animalistic pins and bracelet.

After the death of Ralph Polcini in 1954, his son Damon P Polcini (1919 – 1984) took over the family business. Until 1962 Damon Polcini did business as Leading Jewelry Manufacturing Co and Ledo Jewelry Co. In fact, Ledo Jewelry line was a division of the Leading Jewelry Mfg Co.

Jewels by Polcini Inc

Incorporated in December 1962 as Jewels by Polcini, Inc, with registered address 11 E 44th Street, New York, NY, the company ceased to exist in 1981. Although Damon’s wife Paula Polcini and their three daughters resumed operations in 1982 under the name Polcini Jewelry Mfg Co Inc, it closed in June 1991.

If to trace the company’s advertisements and archival records, one can notice that Ralph Polcini’s company was known simultaneously by three names – Leading Jewelry, Polcini, and Ledo. Since 1962 it was Jewels by Polcini Inc, but they continued to manufacture costume jewelry under Ledo mark.

Polcini and Ledo ads

Vintage Costume Jewelry by Ledo Polcini