With the end of the year rapidly approaching Judi and I would like to thank everyone with whom we have shared, researched, traded and, most importantly, admired vintage cufflinks. Over the past year we have had the pleasure of working with friends, clients and cufflink lovers throughout the United States and in many countries around the world.
In fact, we recently passed an milestone of sorts. With a flurry of business from Australia, we have now worked with clients on every continent except Antarctica. If only the penguins would adorn their feathery tuxedos with vintage dress sets! We would have every continent covered!
Over the past few days I have made several attempts to organize my perpetually cluttered desk. In so doing I came across notes I made several years ago about a house Charles Carrington built in the 1880s. Since the holidays are a wonderful time to enjoy beautiful Victorian homes, I will finish the year with ....
The House Carrington Built
Locating and researching antique cufflinks takes you in many directions. Often you follow an unpromising lead or stray clue with surprising results. The following architect's rendering is one such discovery.
Please click the above rendering for a larger view.The rendering is of a house built by Charles L. Carrington in 1885. I believe, but have not substantiated, that this is the same Charles Carrington who in 1891 formed a partnership with Alfred Mayhew for the manufacture and sale of fine jewelry. In 1900 this firm became Carrington & Company. As faithful readers of this blog and visitors to the Antique Cufflink Gallery are aware I have a great fondness for the cufflinks and dress sets created by Carrington & Company.
The plan was published in the August, 1885 edition of the American Architects and Building News. An accompanying paragraph notes:
House for Mr. Charles L. Carrington, Newark, N.J.
Mr. Van Campen Taylor Architect
The house is now in course of erection on one of the principal residence streets of the city. The first story will be built of North River brick, laid in red mortar, with Belleville stone trimmings. The second story, etc., will be of frame shingled with cedar shingles. The roof will be slated. The interior will be finished with painted walls, tiled fireplaces and hard-wood stairs and mantels. The cost will be about $12,000.
It is clear Mr. Carrington was quite successful even before the founding of Carrington & Company. The care and quality that he brought to making Carrington cufflinks is also evident in the house he built.
Judi and I hope everyone enjoys a peaceful and joyous New Year!
1 comment:
Hi Arthur, I was wondering if you could tell me what it means if a pair of cufflinks says Pat. Dec 1883 on them. We purchased this set at an Estate auction recently, and would like to learn more about them. They are, I believe, Victorian, cushion shaped with tiny cabochon stones in them (they look like a ruby, turquoise and a white stone of sorts) with what looks like mother of pearl buttons on the piece that isn't meant to show (and goes through the hole). I am not sure what material they are made of - looks like rose gold plated over some other kind of metal - maybe copper or bronze. They are pretty ornately engraved and quite interesting. I can send you a picture if you are interested in seeing them. Thanks!
Post a Comment