posted 07-07-2010 02:05 PM            

Following up on the What is this for? thread, here is a clever piece by Foster. Has anyone ever seen one? I don't wear earrings as a rule, but this would make a dandy tie tack.

DESIGN FOR AN EAR-RING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Design No. 15,532, dated November 11, 1884. Application filed July 31, 1884. Term of patent 7 years.

To all whom it may concern:
Be it known that I, Theodore W. Foster, a citizen of the United States, residing at Providence, in the State of Rhode Island, have invented and produced a new and original Design for an Ear-Ring, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.
Figure 1 is a front view of my newly-designed ear-ring. Fig. 2 is an edge elevation of the same.
The leading feature of my design consists in a represented eating-plate crossed by an eating implement, which may be either a spoon, fork, or table-knife.
In the accompanying drawings, A represents the plate in proper hollowed form, and crossed by an eating implement, B. I claim—
The design for an ear-ring herein shown and described, the same consisting of the represented eating-plate and eating implement.

THEODORE W. FOSTER

Witnesses:
Socrates Scholfield
Chas. F. Schmelz

posted 07-07-2010 05:08 PM            

Mine have the spoon in silver and the plate in low karat gold or perhaps rolled gold.

posted 07-07-2010 05:17 PM            

Here they are:

I had a thread on them a few years back, asking for opinions about when they were made. Thanks to WEV, I now know who designed them and when! What a thrill!

Thank you, WEV.

I'll look for the thread.

posted 07-07-2010 08:32 PM            

Thomas Waters Foster

posted 07-08-2010 02:52 PM            

Here is a biographical sketch of Theodore: in: American biography: a new cyclopedia
[tiny.cc/437eu - link gone from the Internet]

Once there scroll up to the page just above.
Theodore Waters Foster's story begins in the lower right hand corner.

quote:

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(IX) Theodore Waters Foster, son of Chauncey and Ophelia (Remington) Foster, was born May 19, 1847, at Delta, New York, and received his education in Pawtucket schools.

On July 21, 1863, he enlisted in Company C, Third Regiment, Rhode Island Cavalry, becoming its bugler. He served under General Banks in the Louisiana campaign and the Red river expedition, being mustered out in December, 1865. After the close of the er and then with another.

On January I, 1873, in partnership with Walter E. White and Samuel H. Bailey, he established himself in the same line of business under the firm name of White, Foster & Company. The connection was maintained until 1878, when Mr. White retired and the style of the firm became Foster & Bailey.

In 1890 Mr. Foster purchased Mr. Bailey's interest and incorporated the business under the name of the Theodore W. Foster & Brother Company, Mr. Foster being president, his son, T. Clyde Foster, vice-president, his nephew, Ernest L. Fuller, secretary, and his brother, Isaac F. Foster, superintendent.

Mr. Foster, inheriting the genius of his father and grandfather, has perfected numerous inventions in jewelry and silverware for which he has taken out patents.

He has long been noted for the admirable system which prevails in his factory, for the justice and kindliness which mark all his dealings with his employees and for the care with which he insures their working under wholesome conditions. For sanitation, efficiency, healthfulness and equipment, his establishment is unsurpassed.

He is a director of the National Exchange Bank of Providence, and vice-president and director of the National Jewelers' Board of Trade, and the New England Jewelers' and Silversmiths' Association.

He is a director of the Universal Optical Corporation, and belongs to the Providence Board of Trade. He affiliates with Canonicus Lodge, No. 9, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and holds membership in Slocum Post, Grand Army of the Republic.

He belongs to the Rhode Island Historical Society, and his clubs are : Art, Hope, Churchmen's, Commercial, Squan Providence, and is helpfully associated with its various activities.

Mr. Foster married (first) May 15, 1868, at Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Mary Murdock, born at Pictou, Nova Scotia, daughter of William and Eliza (Coghill) Murdock, and they became the parents of the following children: 1. Mary Adele, born July 6, 1870; student of Wellesley ; married Frank L. Verley. 2. Eliza Ophelia, born December 4, 1871 ; graduate of Wellesley; married Vincent E. L. Verley, of Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies. 3. Theodore Clyde, of further mention. 4. William Chauncey, born June 20, 1877; educated in public and private schools of Providence ; associated with the Theodore W. Foster & Brother Company. 5. Veola Ethel, born August 14, 1883; educated at St. Timothy's School and other private schools.

Mrs. Foster died in 1890, and Mr. Foster married (second) September 15, 1894, at Providence, Rhode Island, Maybelle Paulina Davis, born November 25, 1858, in Maine, daughter of Thomas and Paulina (Wright) Davis.

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posted 07-09-2010 12:51 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by wev:
I was able to tie Foster into my tree, so here's a preliminary page for him (and his jeweler father), including several of his other patents.

Thomas Waters Foster

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posted 07-09-2010 12:09 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by bascall:

I apologize for over looking this post. If I'd have seen it like I should have, I wouldn't have posted the Foster biography from google books.

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bascall,
I for one am happy you did not read the post. Otherwise we would have missed out on the very enlightening information in yours. The two pieces together give a pretty complete picture of the man as inventor and all around good guy. Knowing what a good man he seemed to be has heightened my interest in hopefully finding more of his inventive designs one day. So, thanks!
Elizabeth