posted 05-31-2017 03:48 AM            

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GEO. W. SHIEBLER CO.

The adaptability of silver to the manufacture of wares that combine the essentials of beauty with the elements of utility is evidenced by the practically unlimited range of articles which are variously known as small wares, trinkets, novelties, etc., that are produced. The house that has been foremost in this line of activity is the George W. Shiebler Co., New York.

George W. Shiebler entered the employ of Jahne, Smith & Co., 170 Broadway, New York, in 1867, as traveling salesman. The firm then manufactured gold chains. Mr. Shiebler remained with them until the death of both Mr. Jahne and Mr. Smith, in the year 1870 or 1871, when the firm was succeeded by Hodenpyl, Tunison & Shiebler, who continued the business as theretofore. The firm, like numerous others, was affected by the stringent times that followed the panic of ’73. Mr. Shiebler about a year later purchased the business of Coles & Reynolds, manufacturers of silver spoons, with a factory at 6 Liberty Place.

Mr. Shiebler commenced business on March 4, 1876, with a force of five men. A few months later he bought out the business of John Polhemus, an old and recognized silversmith, whose plant was located at Centre and Howard Sts. He merged this plant with his own, and continued thus for a short time, when he purchased the factory of M. Morgan, who had succeeded Albert Coles, at 6 Liberty Place. This plant he also merged with the others, on the fifth floor of 6 Liberty Place. Mr. Shiebler’s facilities were now quite extensive, and his business was rapidly progressing.

A few years subsequently he moved his showrooms to 8 Liberty Place and his factory to a building at York and Washington Sts., Brooklyn, N. Y. At this time Mr. Shiebler’s factory gave employment to 50 to 60 people. Anon, the space becoming too crowded, Mr. Shiebler purchased property at St. Mark’s and Underhill Aves., Brooklyn, and erected a finely equipped factory building, of which the firm occupy at the present time three spacious floors, giving employment to 160 to 170 individuals. On Jan. 1, 1892, the firm incorporated as the George W. Shiebler Co., with a capital stock of $300,000. George W. Shiebler is president and Wm. F. Shiebler, treasurer of the company.

Mr. Shiebler at the beginning made only spoons and forks, but the product gradually increased until the firm produced the largest line of novelties in silver extant at the time. One of the reasons of the success of the house has been the introduction of novel ideas never before attempted, one of the most successful innovations being the curio medallion work, which looked as though it had been unearthed at Pompeii and Herculanaeum. Another such novel line was tinted leaf work, consisting of silver formed into leaves and tinted in all the rich colors of Autumn. In addition to their unique artistic lines of small wares, the company, which now have an extensive store at 179 Broadway, opened Aug. 1, 1892, manufacture a general line of silverware of the highest character.

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