Trabert & Hoeffer Jewelry Company History
It is generally accepted that the history of the Trabert & Hoeffer jewelry company began in 1926. However, this is not entirely true. In fact, its history began in 1921, when Rudolph J Trabert established Trabert and Plimpton firm, Fifth Ave, at 44th Street, New York city.
Rudolph J Trabert (1869 – 1930) was a second-generation jeweler whose father Anton Trabert owned a jewelry store A Trabert at 305 Bleecker Street, New York. In 1894 Rudolph Trabert joined his father’s business, and the firm changed name to A Trabert & Son. Later, Anton Trabert admitted that his son “has made extensive alterations in his store”.
Notably, before joining his father’s business, Rudolph Trabert already had extensive business experience. For many years, he worked at A. Frankfield & Co., jewelers, 52 W. 14th St., New York, and then with Mrs. T. Lynch, a jeweler at 1127 Broadway.
Trabert and Plimpton
After his father’s death, Rudolf Trabert joined the well-known company Black, Starr & Frost, where he worked for about ten years. It was an important stage in his jewelry career. Later, when he founded his own business, he constantly referred to his experience working for the Black Starr and Frost in his advertisements.
In 1921, Rudolph Trabert established the firm Trabert and Plimpton, Fifth Ave, and 44th Street, New York city. The partnership lasted for three years, and in 1924 Trabert formed the firm under his own name Randolph J Trabert Co.
Randolph J Trabert Co
Meanwhile, different sources use the jeweler’s name differently – as Rudolph and as Randolph. Among them, for example, House & Garden, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and Harper’s Bazaar.
The firm of Trabert & Hoeffer, Inc specialized in designing and creating the finest, most exclusive—diamond mounted jewelry. Trabert & Hoeffer maintained branches in Paris, Chicago, Beverly Hills, California, Palm Beach, Florida, Miami Beach and Atlantic City.
Death of Rudolph J Trabert
According to the New York Times, before starting jewelry business Hoeffer sang with the Metropolitan Opera Company. He became a jewelry salesman and formed a company with Duane Trabert. His partnership with Trabert lasted only 4 years. After the sudden death of Rudolph J Trabert in 1930, Hoeffer took over the company.
Trabert & Hoeffer merger with Mauboussin of Paris
In May 1936 William Howard Hoeffer (1891 – 1968), president of the firm, made announcement of the merger of the jewelry store of Trabert & Hoeffer, Inc., 407 Park Ave., with Mauboussin of Paris, under the title Trabert & Hoeffer, Inc., Mauboussin.
The latest Continental ideas in jewelry design were provided for the new firm, which manufactured its pieces in New York. The first finished pieces of the new concern were exhibited the same year at its shops in 3275 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, and the Hotel Traymore, Atlantic City.
Retirement of William Howard Hoeffer
After thirty successful years with the firm, Hoeffer retired in 1956.
In 1940 well-known jewelry designer William Edward Ruser (1908 – 1994) was vice-president and treasurer of Trabert & Hoeffer, Mauboussin. Later he opened his own business – Ruser Jewels.
In March 1957, The New York Times reported that Paul P. Russo had been elected president of Trabert & Hoeffer, Inc., retail jewelry store, at 407 Park Avenue. He formerly was vice president of the concern.
Paul P Russo worked for the company for almost 30 years, which he later headed for more than 13 years. However, a decline in demand for jewelry, which began in 1970, high rent for premises and taxes led to the closure of the company in 1971.
