| "A photo of the back of the Kerr daffodil buckle, showing the clasp as well as the struts through which the silk ribbon belt fabric was threaded. The strut is hinged (you can see the hinge at the left and right sides of the ribbon) and was patented on June 25, 1901. I have been told by other jewelry historians that Kerr and the other jewelry makers did not manufacture the fittings, such as the belt struts, themselves, but purchased these items from other manufacturers of such specialty items, most of whom were located in Newark, NJ. At the turn of the century, Newark was one of the most important jewelry manufacturing centers in the world. This dominance persisted through the end of the 19th century and through the early part of the 20th century, but was ended by the conversion of precision metal manufacturing facilities to war needs, and the dearth of fine jewelry demand during the Great Depression." |
