David Jay Orman (1917–1990), the son of Joseph Orman and Sara Mason Orman, was born in Chicago and was a prominent jewelry wholesaler and manufacturer. In 1939, he married Marcelle Bernstein and founded the David Bensen Company that same year.

The company’s headquarters were located at 59 E. Madison Street in Chicago. The family business was led by David Jay Orman as president and Marcelle Orman as vice president and treasurer. In 1944, the company moved to a new building at 5 N. Wabash Ave, where it remained until 1948.

Due to bankruptcy in 1948, the company ceased to exist. However, the company’s closure did not mean the end of the career of its founder, David Bensen. Bensen received his education at the University of Illinois. From 1948 to 1950, he served as sales manager at Sales Helbros Watch Co.

David Bensen

In 1950, David Bensen assumed a management position at the renowned Kreisler Mfg Corporation, where he remained for a quarter of a century. He served as president of the company when he retired in 1975. For several years, beginning in 1975, he served as president of Stan Lee Trading Inc., Dallas, Texas.

David Bensen also held leadership positions in various professional organizations. In particular, he was president of the 24K Club of Dallas from 1961 to 1962, and in 1954 president of TOLA – an association of Southwest gift and jewelry salesmen.

According to the rare ads, David Bensen craftsmen made costume jewelry with gold and silver plating, rhinestones, and enamel. Due to the company’s short existence, costume jewelry marked DB, or Bensen, is almost impossible to find.