While we are known as Tampa Bay’s luxury watch specialists, we also obviously love fine vintage estate pieces.
Many estate jewelers and fine and decorative arts dealers, like our sister company Hess Fine Art, often tout and aspire to own items made by, sold or manufactured for the “big two” – Cartier and Tiffany.
In fact, many superior retail establishments were on a par with these two icons — and some almost as famous, especially on a local level. Stores like Grogan (Pennsylvania), J.E. Caldwell & Co. (Pennsylvania), C.D. Peacock (Chicago), Webb C. Ball (Cleveland), and Greenleaf & Crosby (Florida), among others, all made, designed or ordered fine jewelry and watches that are collected today. This week we bought a number of J. E. Caldwell pieces and thought we would share some of their artistry with you.
The centerpiece is a Caldwell signed and designed, WWII-era patriotic clip, with Burma rubies, diamonds, and sapphires. Unsigned, it’s worth $2,000- $3,000. Signed by Caldwell, it is worth over $5,000.
Also pictured is a stylized carriage clock by Caldwell. Unsigned, it would be worth $300-$400; but signed Caldwell, the value is doubled.
The large repoussé sterling silver punch bowl by Caldwell is valued the same as any other similar piece since it was likely made for Caldwell by Kirk and Son. Also pictured is a Caldwell silver server.
Comments, questions or suggestions for this column, please send to jeffreyphess@aol.com.
