Posted 8 years ago
mikelv85
(1232 items)
Today was my day to work at the co-op and some of the vendors were having sales. My friend Shirley had a few small plastic bins filled with her discounted costume jewelry. I was able to read the mark on the Sorrento leaf brooch but the mark on the large 2" in diameter rhinestone brooch was a toughie. That was until I stumbled on an online image of something similar. The mark actually just says "Reinad" but th "R" was mis-stamped. So I found out some very interesting things about them. Reinad was originally thought to have made jewelry for companies such as Boucher, Carnegie, and Eisenberg but that was later proven to be false. It appears they did copy some of their pieces though. They were in business around 1922 making wholesale production,they made a retail line using the name "Chanel Novelty Co." with the mark "Chanel" in script. Maison Chanel had closed in France (1940) due to German Occupation, but raised objections to the use of their name and sued them. Chanel Novelty Co. made only one collection in spring of 1941 before changing their name to Reinad. Thus, there are a limited number of designs, and pieces which are rare and highly sought after by collectors. They're listed in a 1954 brochure of an accessories show at the Hotel McAlpin in New York. So I'm really glad I came across this piece for my collection. -Mike-
wow..... really like the round one. [;>)
Thanks Nevada :) it is an impressive bit of "bling" at 2" in diameter. :)
Well found and identified Mike. Reinad look like they made beautiful jewellery and great quality. It's great you found one with the mark.
They are both gorgeous.
What a great find, Mike, well researched. Good eye, you! :)
Thanks Katherine, Karen and Val :) It was a slow day and the only sales were mine and Joyce the other vendor working yesterday. When days are slow like that it's fun to dig around and look for buried treasure. :)
Wow! This is a chunky sparkly target!!!
Thanks Kyra....it sure is..lol :)
nice one Mike!!
The starburst SCREAMS quality. NICE!
Thanks so much Sean :)
Thanks Celiene..it is a dazzler..lol :)
Very pretty!!!
Thanks Martika :)
Reinad did not make jewelry for Boucher, Carnegie, and others; they produced copies. Here's a link to Robin Deutch article explaining the error:
http://costumejewelrycollectors.com/2015/06/16/who-was-reinad-creator-or-copier-by-robin-deutsch-for-cjci/
Thanks Davy I did actually see this article while looking up Reinad history but didn't read it completely. The other sites used the words "seems to have" to express some doubt but this article really gives Rienad a black eye "ouch" ! Still credit was given where credit was due.
"This company’s jewelry is collectible and much of it beautifully made, which should have been enough on its own. "
....and I think this brooch qualifies that statement. :)
It was perfectly legal to copy designs in fashion industry until they were copyrighted. The patenting / copyrighting process used to be slow and expensive, so smaller companies could not afford or chose not to to do that for years.
How is the shop going these days Mike. Finding it fun. Meeting lots of people im sure. Any cool tobacco signs come in let me know.
Roy
Hi Roy..it's going extremely well. We have one really good customer who is into Asian art so I'm his new best friend. A retired Asian language professor from the college. He grabs everything as soon as I bring it in an never questions the price. The other vendors can't believe how well the "noob" is doing...lol. I need to diversify because this isn't going to last forever as I'm running out of my Asian inventory and it's becoming harder to replace it. I'll look around the co-op I'm sure there are things I just haven't focused on. I'll email you an let you know what I find. -Mike- :)
Thanks mike i recently sold all my petroliian stuff and the hubcap collection to one man. Got some extra money let me know what you find thanks mike.
My favourite is the Sorrento brooch, but both are quite beautiful.
Thanks so much Gillian. :)