Sterling Napkin Clip with unknown Maker Mark

[delladolittle]

I'm a pretty savvy searcher, but I cannot find this mark?





Thanks for the help!

Della

[dragonflywink]

Hi ~ welcome to the forums. This piece was made by New York manufacturer A.L. Wagner (1927-50).

~Cheryl

[dognose]

Although most resources have the firm's title 'A.L. Wagner Manufacturing Co.' being introduced in 1927, the below report appears to indicate earlier use of the name:

Proceedings Pending June 30th 1924

Complaint No. 1160.—Federal Trade Commission v. A.L. Wagner Manufacturing Co. Charge: Unfair methods of competition are charged in that the respondent, engaged in the manufacture of silver-plated ware in the city of New York, stamps its silverware with the words “ Sheffield,” or other similar designations containing the word “Sheffield,” thereby tending to create the false impression that its silver-plated ware was manufactured in Sheffield, England, and is of the high quality associated with genuine Sheffield silver and Sheffield plate, in alleged violation of section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission act. Status: At issue.

Source: Annual Report of the Federal Trade Commission

Perhaps 1927 was the year of their incorporation?

Trev.

[dognose]

I've just come across an even earlier reference to this business:

That the members of the Association continue to show keen interest in its upbuilding is shown by the fact that six applications for membership were presented at the meeting. The six new members elected were Abraham L. Wagner, proprietor of the A. L. Wagner Manufacturing Company, New York; Coburn D. Outten, with Tecla, the jeweler, New York; Harry Lehman, of Lehman Bros., New York; George C. Kindt, with Geo. Borgfeldt & Co.. New York; Harold Moorcroft, importer of clays, New York and J. W. Mackey, with Edwin M. Knowles China Company, East Liverpool.

Source: The Pottery & Glass Salesman - 8th March 1917

Trev.

[silverly]

Abraham Leonard Wagner was born in New York, New York in 1887 and died in Palm Springs, Florida in 1975. According to his World War II draft registration, in 1942 he was employed by Joseph H Meyer Brothers and living in Chicago, Illinois.

[silverly]

Abraham Leonard Wagner was born in New York, New York in 1887 and died in Palm Springs, Florida in 1975. According to his World War II draft registration, in 1942 he was employed by Joseph H Meyer Brothers and living in Chicago, Illinois.

I have to add that this information does nothing to change the period of time that the company was in existence and the trademark was in use.

[Traintime]

A patent application filed in 1919 gives the proper name of Weber, Wagner, & Benson, Inc. (not Co.) as still in use. This was on sterling wares, I believe holloware items as listed. Are they operating two organizations at once?

[Traintime]

Another patent report in 1920 gives the form Weber, Wagner & Benson, New York, NY with no Company or Inc. following..again on hollowares.

[Traintime]

From Metal Record & Electroplater v.1 issue 7 1915 is the information of Weber, Wagner & Benson of Brooklyn, NY involved in gold, silver and bronze as well as metallic compounds...I had seen a previous mention of a Wagner in what appeared to be metal polishing compounds manufacturing at an earlier date. For this company in 1915, the principals listed are Lewis V. Benson, Jacob Wagner, and Alfred Weber.

[Traintime]

From R.L. Polk & Co.'s...Trow New York Copartnership and Corporation...1914-Corporations:
Weber-Wagner Co., Inc. (N.Y.) (Jacob Wagner, Pres.; SidneyL. Bauman, V-Pres.; Alfred Weber, Sec. Capitol, $25,000. Directors; Jacob Wagner, Alfred Weber, Sidney L. Bauman) 312 7th Av.

So, W-W was already incorporated before W, W & Benson Co. was formed. W, W & Benson was in Brooklyn (??). How does A.L. Wagner relate to Jacob, one of the sons? How is J. Wagner & Son related and to whom? I found nada squat on Central Sterling Company so far.

[Traintime]

A. L. Wagner Mfg. Co., 132 King Street, N.Y. was incorporated in 1922 and capitolized at $50,000. They were not planning to manufacture yet, but simply taking over the existing lines of Mr. Wagner. Full entry of the facts are in The Iron Age v.110, 30 Nov. 1922, page 1472.

[Traintime]

Searching names with jewelry gets more...

Advertisement for 1920...Jewelers' Circular, v. 80, issue 1, 28 April 1920 page 159, column 1 has SPECIAL ORDER WORK and repairing: manufacturers of fine gold and platinum jewelry..yada yada...Wagner Manufacturing Company, 49 Maiden Lane, New York.

Mention of one A. L. Wagner in 1908...Mens wear [semi-monthly], v. 24, page 86, Boys On The Road...for Altman Neckwear Company, 837-841 Broadway, New York there is an A. L. Wagner handling the Southwest territories (salesman/rep.??).

Again in Polk's Trow for 1915...Burroughs...Weber-Wagner Co., Inc. (no inf.) 312 7th Av.

[Traintime]

The 49 Maiden Lane address proves occupation from 1830 with Esterbrook Steel Pen, 1836 for William Gale and a long succession of names through W.H. Saart Co. in 1909. A depiction from 1890 or after shows a five story structure not very wide. Have not determined what building was on site during Wagner era, nor how much space they occupied.

[Traintime]

For 1913, the Directory of Directors in the City of New York yields these clues:

-Abraham L. Wagner...841 Broadway...Altman Neckware Company, Director (obviously movin' on up).

Jacob Wagner...195 Cornelia Street, Brooklyn...Weber-Wagner.
Alfred Weber....32 Grove Street....................Weber-Wagner...Sec'y, Treas., & Director.
Sidney L. Bauman...no where to be found.........not associated with anything.

Possible relations ?? (thrown in just in case):
Alfred Wagner...23 Main St., Flushing, Queens...Yager & Wagner...Sec'y & Director.
George F. Wagner...189 Duane Street..............Yager & Wagner...Pres & Director.