Information Regarding William B. Kerr & Co.

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An image of William Munn Smith, a master craftsman at the Kerr division of Gorham for twenty years:



This image was published in 1925.

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The William B. Kerr Co., 144 Orange St., silversmiths, has been incorporated, the authorized capital being $100,000, with $1,000 paid in.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 9th May 1906

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Another of the many new belts recently placed on the market by William B. Kerr & Co., 860, Broadway, New York, is illustrated this week. Artistic symbols of affection form the main decorations of this belt, which is made in several finishes.

Source: The Jewelers' Weekly - 15th March 1895

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William B. Kerr Company - Newark, N.J. - 1915

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George F. Wells, formerly of the Whiting Mfg. Co., and later of the Kerr division, has been appointed merchandise manager of the Gorham Mfg. Co.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 29th April 1925

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Wm. B. Kerr & Co. - New York - 1900

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Mr. Grom, of the William B. Kerr trio, is the individual average leader in the three-man tournament of the Jewelers’ Bowling League. Mr. Grom has a 201 average for five games. A new team, to be known as the Durand & Co. No. 2 team, has taken the place of the team from Whiteside & Blank in the league. This team rolled its initial games last week against the first team from Durand & Co. and the Carter, Howe & Co. trio. The Carter, Howe & Co, team is now leading in the league with a record of four victories and no defeats. Twenty-two games were played in the tournament last week. Of these the team from the Eastwood-Park Co. won three and lost one; A. J. Hedges & Co. won two and lost one; Long & Koch Co. won one and lost three; Carter, Howe & Co. won two; Durand & Co. No. 1 won two; Durand & Co. No. 2 lost four; Bippart, Griscom & Osborne won one and lost two; W. B. Kerr & Co. won one and lost two; Richardson Manufacturing Co. won two and lost two; Larter & Sons won four; American Oil & Supply Co. won one and lost three, and the Crescent Watch Case Works won one and lost three.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 22nd November 1911

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The Gorham Interests - New York - 1921

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[matchbookholder]

I collect matchbook holders, a 20th century version of the match safe. It held a paper matchbook, rather than loose stick matches. I have 20 matchbook holders with the Kerr fasces mark and "Sterling," all having different patterns of machining. There are 5 different physical Kerr styles, which I differentiate by the way the holder is opened. Since matchbook holders were first patented in 1904, most of these would have been made after Kerr was acquired by Gorham in 1906, and probably not for a few years thereafter. One, awarded as a prize in a bridge tournament, has a 1925 inscription. I'd post some images, but I can't figure out how to do it.

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Hi,

Welcome to the Forum.

The below should help you:

How to Add Images

https://postimages.org (choose 'Share', then copy the 'Hotlink for forums' code) is recommended. Do not use Photobucket or Dropbox.

Ensure your images are embedded. Do not post links. Remember to use the 'Preview' button before submitting your post.

For more information see:

http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic ... 82#p103282

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The Wm. B. Kerr Company - Newark, N.J. - 1914

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The Gorham Company - New York - 1924

KERR DIVISION

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Wm. B. Kerr & Co. - New York - 1903

'FLORDORA' - LA FAVORITA' - 'AMERICAN BEAUTY'

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W. C. Phelps, who for several years past has been superintendent of Kerr & Thiery’s factory, has resigned.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 8th February 1905

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See: https://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=62302

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William J. Clark, who was so brutally murdered in his garage at the back of his home, 218 Pennsylvania Ave., Hillside, N. J., was a silver worker at the William B. Kerr division of the Gorham Co.’s Newark plant. Samuel Clark, father of the slain man, is works’ manager at the silver plant. Since Tuesday, Nov. 3, when the murder occurred, the newspapers have been carrying frontpage stories telling how the silver worker was assaulted by a man who struck him over the head with a hammer. Mr. Clark was returning from an automobile ride with his wife and mother-in-law, and upon reaching his home alighted from his car and walked to his garage. A few moments later Mr. Clark staggered from the garage after he had been beaten over the head with a hammer. He died shortly afterwards.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 11th November 1925

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NEWARK

Stricken by heart disease while he was in conversation with friends at Clinton and Seymour Aves., on the night of Sept. 9, Arthur DeSacis, of 327 21st St., Irvington, dropped dead. He was a metal polisher employed by the William B. Kerr Co., of this city. Dr. Louis Robinson, of 531 Clinton Ave., was called. He pronounced DeSacis dead and said he had treated him six months ago for heart disease.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 17th September 1924

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Harry B. Bliss, originally with the Gorham Co., has once more become associated with that company. Mr. Bliss will be the central western representative of the William B. Kerr Co. division of the Gorham Co. For the past few years Mr. Bliss has been traveling throughout the Middle West representing a number of dealers in fine jewelry.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 20th September 1928

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Death of E. Paul Staunton

Widely Known Silverware Salesman Passes on at His Home in South Orange, N. J.

E. Paul Staunton, widely known in the silver trade, died at his home in South Orange, N. J., last Saturday. The funeral services were held at the Colonial Home, 132 Harrison Street, East Orange, on Sunday afternoon. Mr. Staunton had been in poor health for about a year, but despite his illness, his death was unexpected by his many friends in the in dustry.

His first connection in the industry was with Merrill Bros., manufacturers of sterling silver novelties, at Newark, N. J. After severing his connections with this house, he became associated with Goodnow & Jenks, Boston, and remained in charge of the New York office until that concern went out of business. He later represented the Wm. B. Kerr Co., Newark, N. J., and for a short time was affiliated with the International Silver Co., Meriden, Conn. For about 10 years he was district manager of the Gorham Co., and had charge of the Philadelphia office of that concern until it was closed. After that time he gave special attention to the Gorham Co’s. trade in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington and the smaller adjacent towns and cities. He remained with the Gorham company until January 1927, when he severed his connection with that house. Since then he has been more or less inactive.

Mr. Staunton was one of the best known men in the silver business and because of his genial disposition, was a great favorite among members of that branch of the trade.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular- 7th June 1928

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