Tiffany & Co.

Allgemeines

Name	Tiffany & Co.
Ortssitz	New York City
Straße	Union Square
Art des Unternehmens	Juwelier
Anmerkungen	1868: Broadway 550-552 und bezeichnet sich als "Jewelry Establishment".
Quellenangaben	[New Yorks great industries (1884) 302] [Bishop: History of American manufacturers 3 (1868) 182]

Unternehmensgeschichte

Zeit	Ereignis
Herbst 1837	Gründung
1839/1840	Die erste Etage in Haus-Nr. 261 wird hinzugefügt.
Frühling 1841	J. L. Ellis tritt als neuer Partner ein.
Herbst 1841	Mr. Young macht die erste Reise nach Europa.
1844/1845	Angeregt durch den Verkauf von Imitaten, investiert die Firma in ein Sortiment von Standard-Goldschmuck. Der Versuch erweist sich als erfolgreich.
1847	Zahlreiche Erweiterungen bis 1847
1847	Die Liegenschaft Haus-Nr. 259 und 260 werden zu klein für das stark wachsende Geschäft. Daher Umzug zur No. 211, ein geräumiges Gebäude an der Ecke Broadway und Chambers Street
1848	In der Zeit des "Coup d'etat" erwirbt Mr. Young eine große Menge von Diamanten in Paris.
1850	Wichtigste Erweiterung der Firma durch Einführung von Mr. G. F. T. Reed,vorher von "Lincoln, Reed & Co." in Boston
1851	Tiffany & Co. beginnt die Herstellung von Silberwaren.
1852	Beginn der Herstellung von Kronleuchtern
1854	Die Firma überschreitet den Platz am Broadway 271, obwohl das ganze Gebäude in Benutzung ist. Somit ist ein Umzug unvermeidlich. Daher Errichtung eines Gebäudes am 550 Broadway.
1861	Die Notwendigkeit von Handel und Lagerflächen veranlaßt dazu, das Anwesen No. 552 zu sichern.

Produkte

Produkt	ab	Bem.	bis	Bem.	Kommentar
Schmuckwarenhandel	1884	[New York's great industries (1884)]	1884	[New York's great industries (1884)]

Allgemeines

ZEIT	1868
THEMA	Firmenbeschreibung
TEXT	Can scarcely be called representative of others, inasmuch as it is unique, and has few, if any, rivals in the field of personal ornament and luxury. For the vast extent of its dealings, and the costliness and comprehensiveness of its stock, its reputation is not confined to this country, but is essentially worldwide. Messrs. Tiffany & Co. commenced business, in a very small way, during the autumn of 1837. Their store was located at 259 Broadway, the first story of a building otherwise occupied as a dwelling house. The sole partners at the start 'were two brothers-in-law, Charles L. Tiffany and John B. Young, who, from the townships of Brooklyn and Killingly, in Windham county, Connecticut, had come to New York with very little else in the way of material for success than strong wills, keen perceptions, energies unfaltering, and the determination, which New England soil seems to create and cherish, to conquer fortune in a fair contest. At the. date of their opening store, Mr. Young was the only one of the pair who could claim to add to this very common-place, but often so productive capital, a moiety of experience. He had for six months been engaged in the Stationery importing trade as a salesman. It was Mr. Tiffany's first visit to the metropolis. The stock of Tiffany & Co., at the start, was a miscellaneous selection of fancy wares - stationery (including paper and playing-cards), cutlery, walking sticks, Chinese goods, comprising chess-men, lacquered wares, fans, etc., porcelain, Berlin iron, etc.; a melange, the details of which would be as amusing now to peruse as difficult to enumerate. Chinese curiosities were then in much favor with buyers, and it would seem that every ship brought more or less of them, the private investments of officers and sailors. Tiffany & Co. made a specialty of these wares, selling the quaintly-monstrous chessmen, the queer-looking little red clay teapots, the enormous punch-bowls, and wonderfully clumsy jardinieres, in a profusion that would astonish the Fancy Goods trade now. The capital of the firm, at starting, was one thousand dollars, equally contributed by the partners. From the little cash-book, still preserved, in which is formally inscribed to the credit of the House the above modest investment of capital, we find the daily amount of sales. On the 21st of September, the date of the first entry, the sales amounted to $4.98; on the 22d, to 2.77; on the 23d (entered doubtless with most jubilant penmanship), to 24.31. Occasionally, during the first two or three months, the entry was peevishly small, and it is easy to imagine the heart of the partnership was any thing but a glad one. On the 23d of December, the last salesday before Christmas, the cash counted up 236.00; and on the day before New Year's, 675.00. This excess of New Year's over Christmas is noteworthy as marking the change which fashion, or possibly a more worthy social impulse, has effected, Christmas being now-the favored day for present-making, whereas then nearly all but the most observant Episcopalians adopted the Pagan annual for their general exchange of gifts and good-will. Perhaps a more notable change, though not of so public a character, would attract the attention of one having access to the cash-book of Tiffany & Co. now in use. From less than three hundred dollars, to a long way over one hundred thousand, the figure of our Christmas days, is a progress wonderful enough, but, after all, only illustrative of what success is within the reach of untiring energy and ever-watchful judgment. In 1839-40, the addition of the first floor of No. 261 to the premises of the firm gave the first outward demonstration of the success which had been so fairly earned. From that time till 1847, enlargement of space was a most frequent occurrence, the new stock, constantly suggested or increased by the popularity of the House, requiring now an apartment, now a floor, added for its proper storage and display. With a sagacity, then not so common as now, the partners lost no available opportunity to advertise their business, the attractiveness of their addresses to the world and their discriminating detail' of inviting wares largely and eonspicuously remunerating them for the outlay. In the spring of 1841 a new partner, Mr. J. L. Ellis, entered the concern, and in the fall of the same year Mr. Young made a first trip to Europe. This was a most important move, and one which was undertaken with high hopes, though after very serious consideration. That it eventuated with signal advantage, and was in fact the obvious original of the present extraordinary position of the establishment, need not be matter for surprise or argument; but, nevertheless, it was a great undertaking for so small and fresh a beginning. Mr. Young's first European visit was the inauguration of the Jewelry department of the House, and a general extension of the department of elegancies, articles of virtu, etc. Henceforward the House claimed a specialty for English and Parisian personal luxuries, rich Dress Fans, exquisite Por- celains, elaborate Toilette Boxes of choice woods, and kindred wares. The first venture in Jewelry was, however, only the imitation Palais Royal article, of which, from its really tasteful design, quantities were sold for three or four years succeeding. In 1844-5, stimulated by its success in the sale of the imitation, the firm made its first investment in an assortment of standard Gold Jewelry. The trial was immediately proved to be a fortunate one. Gradually the stock became more extensive, comprising in occasional instances articles of a costly nature, modestly displaying diamonds and precious stones. The frequent visits of one or the other partners to Europe kept the assortment constantly up to the mark of fashion, and the establishment in no long time acquired a popular estimation as a Jewelry mart. In 1848, the era of the Coup d'etat, Mr. Young purchased a very large amount of diamonds in Paris, availing himself of the remarkable decline in the value of precious stones incident to the Revolution, diamonds being sold at that period for considerably less than half their purchase money at the present day. Thenceforth the House began to make rich, and especially diamond Jewelry, a distinctive feature, and to rapidly gain the reputation, now universally accorded to it, of the representative establishment in that line on this side the Atlantic. In 1847, the premises at 259 and 260 having become too small for the largely increased business, amove was made to No. 211, a spacious building on the corner of Broadway and Chambers street, now occupied by the white marble structure of the Shoe and Leather Dealers' National Bank. In 1850, a most important addition to the firm was made in the introduction of Mr. G. F. T. Reed, previously of Lincoln, Reed & Co., of Boston, a House conspicuous for many years in the Jewelry trade. The incoming of Mr. Reed was the immediate occasion of an arrangement which has resulted most fortunately for Tiffany & Co., namely, the establishment of a permanent branch of the firm in Paris. The offices of Tiffany & Co. in Paris have been for years located at No. 19 Rue Richelieu, and are well known to Americans abroad. The advantages of a permanent Paris branch are too obvious to need more than a general suggestion. In 1851, Tiffany & Co. commenced the manufacture of Silver Ware. Previously to this day this feature had been gradually assuming a place in -their business since their introduction of Jewelry, it seeming to claim a certain cognate position and interest. It is the distinction of this House, that in several of its specialities it does a larger business than establishments which give exclusive attention to the same line of production. Of sterling Silver Ware, Tiffany & Co. are, it is said, the largest manufacturers in the country. During the first two or three years the maximum of men employed in the production of Silver for the firm was fifty. They now have two hundred of the most skilful fabricants to be found, and use up in the course of the year 150.000 ozs. of metal. Their present superior facilities in the way of machinery, and the admirable organization of their factory, likewise enable one man to effect the same work which was originally expected of two, so that the force employed is to all purposes eight fold that of the commencement of the manufacture. This extensive production entails an extraordinary investment not only of capital, but also of taste and observation. Many of the productions of this department are indeed chefs d'oeuvre. For years all the prizes of the New York Yacht Club have been made by Tiffany & Co. Nearly all the magnificent Race Cups that are yearly contended for throughout the country have had the same origin; and specimens of the ability of the House in this line may be met with in China, the Sandwich Islands, and in fact wherever sporting liberality requires such splendid guerdons. The rich case of Silver exhibited by this firm in the Paris Exposition, designed rather to illustrate the sensible elegance of American domestic life than to challenge comparison with the enormous show-pieces of old world production, is a notable exponent not only of the art resources of the establishment, but likewise of the excellent taste of its patrons. In 1852 the firm, having previously to some extent imported fine French Chandeliers, commenced the manufacture, for which it is now so well known, of Bronze Gas Fixtures. The material, which is the same quality of bronze used by the Parisian founders of art-pieces, and the excellence of the workmanship bestowed upon their production, while they render the Gas Fixtures of Tiffany & Co. more expensive, at the same time produce articles of much greater artistic merit and durability than are the ordinary fixtures. As a branch of the firm's manufacturing, this enterprise, though requiring an insignificant number of fabricants in comparison with the Silver and Jewelry departments, has a fair claim to share with them in .the general result of improving the country aesthetically. Since 1858, the facilities of the establishment for the proper execution of the elegant designs of its artists have been so much enhanced, and have found so decisive public indorsement, that the firm at that date ceased importations in that line. A distinguishing merit of the home production is, that a design for the fixtures of a gentleman's dwelling can be patented by the House, and thus, should the order so specify, remain actually unique in style and finish. General experience of the Bronze Chandeliers of Tiffany & Co. demonstrates likewise another merit quite creditable to American workmanship - that they are much more exactly and durably constructed than the foreign productions. The Bronze Department of Tiffany & Co. does not however simply relate to Gas Fixtures. The importation of objects of art in this rich metal was one of the first results of their European trips. Liberal encouragement to what was then rather a novel venture, soon made the seasonable invoices so considerable as to become a distinct feature, and after a while to attain the dignity of a department in itself. For some years the Bronze Gallery of Tiffany & Co., constantly replenished by the receipt of the very choicest productions of French and other foreign articles, has furnished a more general assortment than any even in the old world. As a resort for artists and connoisseurs, as well as for the art-emulating public, it is deservedly one of the attractions of the metropolis. In 1854, the business of the firm had so far exceeded the prescribed space of 271, though the whole of the building was in use, as to make another move unavoidable. This time the change of location was so great as to startle even the most ambitious advocates of "uptown" progress. A structure, at that day of unique elegance, and even now one the most ornate specimens of New York business architecture, had been erected for the firm at 550 Broadway. The new store was five stories in height, with basement and sub-cellar, covering an area of thirty-five feet front by one hundred feet depth. Perhaps the best commentary on the foresight of those who prognosticated evil from the change, is the fact that in 1861 the necessities of stock and trade obliged the firm to secure the adjoining store, No. 552. The premises of Tiffany & Co. now have a frontage of sixty-five feet, and are much larger than those of any similar establishment in the world. As dealers in Precious Stones, the reputation of the House became superlative soon after its move to its new quarters. Having the unique advantage of a permanent Paris office, with a resident partner in the person of Mr. Reed, its capabilities for the purchase of gems were unequalled. It is not unusual to see, in the cases of the establishment, jewels of extraordinary size and purity, to which historic association lends the indefinable charm, that can be imagined, though it may not be materially estimated. Tiffany & Co. have been the instruments of transferring not a few Royal and Princely Jewels to Republican possessors. Some years ago they purchased in Paris the well authenticated zone of diamonds once worn by the hapless Marie Antoinette. During the year 1861, at the sale of the magnificent collection of jewels of the Hungarian Prince Esterhazy, they were likewise among the largest buyers, their purchases approximating to one hundred thousand dollars. The romance of Jewelry, it will thus be seen, is not to be disregarded, though, in this instance, it is incidental to the more practical view of the way an American firm is enabled to cater to the tastes of its patrons. At a very early date in the progress of their Jewelry trade, Tiffany & Co. became manufacturers. A repair shop was in fact almost an immediate necessity. After a while, as the House gained a reputation in that line of business, designers, diamond-setters, etc., became requisite. By such advances, from so small a beginning, has grown up perhaps the most extensive establishment engaged in the production of what is known as standard or eighteen-carat Jewelry in the United States. The number of workmen employed in all the Jewelry manufacture of the House is rarely less than two hundred; and during the holiday season is considerably larger. The difficulties incident to the collection of such a force of skilled mechanics, which comprises diamond-setters, link and chain makers, enamellers, modellers, chasers, engravers, polishers, etc., are very great, requiring energy and judgment as well as capital in an unusual degree. None but articles of the standard purity of metal (eighteen-carat gold, the proportion best adapted for richness of appearance and lasting wear), are permitted to leave the shops of Tiffany & Co.; and the quality of finish is equally regarded, it being a positive business rule that all productions shall be of guaranteed excellence. Connected with both the Jewelry and Silver Ware departments of the House, and equally essential to each, is the extensive Designing room. The enterprise of Tiffany & Co. has judiciously secured the most capable artists in their line of manufacture, and with a kindred liberality of foresight organized this important feature so perfectly, that the designer has constantly at his hand the published Art Treasures of the world, no cost being spared to procure the freshest authorities in the way of theory or illustration. The variety of uses to be subserved by such a feature is very great, the growing fastidiousness of public taste constantly requiring something out of the common in the wide range from signet-rings to diamond parures, or from silver christening-cups to the stately decorative epergnes. A Monogram, deftly and quaintly arranged for the leaves of a lady's fan; an emblematic Bronze Gateway to a Tomb in the City of Mexico; a sculptured Race Prize for the Hong Kong course; a Class Ring for the West Point graduates; a silver Wedding Memorial; an Album Cover, to comprise an instance of every Mineral and Stone from New York Bay to the Golden Gate; a Badge for an Army Corps; a Sword for a General; a Medal for a Cable Layer; a Cane for a Judge; and a Punch Bowl for an Alderman; - however incon-gruous an assemblage it may be, is not, as experience has shown, an impossible circumstance in the multiplicity of a day's calls upon the resources of the Designing department. The characteristic adaptability of American business houses, which, in seasons of commercial stagnation, or even civil rupture, enables them to sustain the vitality of trade by fitting their powers to new purposes, perhaps just suggested by the nature of the period, or by transferring their accumulated capital to temporary channels entirely strange to the country, was conspicuously exemplified in the instance of this firm during the recent war for the Union. Foreseeing the probability of a prolonged struggle, Messrs. Tiffany & Co. were the first to exhibit to the U.S. Quartermaster-General a complete outfit of French Army Furniture, comprising the uniform, the campaigning conveniences, the ambulance, teats, etc. Not long after this, a considerable portion of the store at 552 Broadway was arranged as a show-room of military accoutrements. During the continuance of the war, the firm enjoyed a very large patronage for the finest grades of military wares, and indeed became the depot with army men for the choicer requirements of the service. As the struggle progressed, and individual prowess brought one or another new popular idol into notice,'rich Presentation Swords became frequent circumstances - a City or State indorsed its hero with a diamond-hilted Blade - a Brigade complimented its General with a pair of Gold Spurs - a. Regiment its Colonel with Pistols of ivory and silver - or a Company its Captain with a splendid Field Glass, escutcheoned and inscribed.. In this very considerable line of patronage the artistic and manufacturing facilities, of the firm gave it an essential superiority. The number of rich swords made to order is ascertained, from existing memoranda, to be very near six hundred, varying in cost from fifty to two thousand five hundred dollars. The celebrated sword ballot in the great New York Sanitary Fair was suggested by Tiffany & Co., who presented one of their finest productions, eventually awarded to General Grant, to the directors of the charity, and thus inaugurated what has proved a prominent feature in subsequent philanthropies of the kind. The artistic merit of several of the sworas seemed to surpass any thing previously known, as if the Genius of the country had inspired the eye and hand of the designer. In addition to swords, the House soon established a reputation for Flags of the most expensive character, requiring the organization of a small corps of wood workers and embroiderers. Every one of the Union States patronized the firm in this line to a greater or less degree, the Flags costing from one hundred to five hundred dollars. The register shows that three hundred and sixty-two of the most costly style were produced, while probably treble that number of less expensive Flags were made, some States ordering for their entire quota. During the latter half of the struggle, individual and corps Badges, Medals of Honor, etc., came in vogue. The orders for these, strikingly illustrate the grandeur and nature of the Union armies. The Corps Badge was of the same design for all grades, but of so widely varying difference of material and workmanship as to furnish the commander with a jewel, and the subaltern with a device suited to the means of each. In one instance a General's Badge, presented, reached the cost of two thousand five hundred dollars. Badges for enlisted men, on the contrary, were made to sell for twenty-five cents. For a portion of Sherman's Grand Army twenty-five thousand Badges were manufactured; for the Eighteenth Corps, ten thousand, afterward increased from time to time; for Kilpatrick's Cavalry, five thousand; etc. Since the war, different States have awarded their veterans Medals of Honor, the State of Ohio, as an instance, ordering twenty thousand, of a design which is even finer than the well-known Crimean medal in point of execution. The finest Medal ever bestowed in this country, in the view of connoisseurs, is a recent production of this firm, to the order of the State of Tennessee, for presentation to Major-General Thomas. It is of pure gold, weighing exactly one pound, and in artistic excellence vies with the rarest specimens of the French medallist's skill. The foregoing resume of the business career of one of the great commercial and manufacturing houses of the land, is necessarily inadequate, so far as statistics are to be regarded, but may be found at least suggestive of the resources of the particular establishment, and in some degree of the liberal encouragement offered by American progress and refinement to those who study such patronage. Before concluding, we may note one feature which has been adhered to by this firm from its commencement in its transaction with customers, the results of which have commended it as most exemplary to the business public, namely, the one price system. The articles on sale, from the cheapest to the most costly, are all priced in plain figures, and these prices are never deviated from. As a system of communication between seller and purchaser, this has merits so obvious as to preclude the need of illustration. But, were any needed, the best illustration is furnished by the unvarying prosperity of a firm which has always and strictly observed it. A great Frenchman says, that "luxury is one of the signs of civilization"; and, in this view of M. Thiers, it is likewise safe to assume that the one result, of such a House as that we have been describing, is social and individual refinement, the offspring of civilization.
QUELLE	[Bishop: History of American manufacturers 3 (1868) 182]

ZEIT	1884
THEMA	Firmendarstellung
TEXT	The name of Tiffany has for generations carried with it a prestige and stability seldom achieved in the annals of American commercial history. A visit to the establishment in question is replete with interest. Here arranged in a most artistic and substantial manner one views the works of art of ancient ages together with those of modern days, and untold value meets the eye at every turn Gems of the purest water mounted in rich and elegant designs are shown by polite and attentive assistants, and an air of refinement and comfort is experienced as the customer or visitor is escorted from floor to floor. From a small beginning the house has now grown to be one of the leading establishments of the world devoted to this line of business, and Mr. Tiffany, the honored and respected head of the company, may deservedly feel satisfied with the success achieved, and New York is proud of having in her midst such a monument to financial integrity and commercial greatness.
QUELLE	[New Yorks great industries (1884) 302]