BLUE BOX TREASURES: Tiffany & Co.

Through February 15, 2004

Since 1837, the name Tiffany has been synonymous with good taste and a particular shade of blue.   Founded by Charles Lewis Tiffany (1812-1902) and John B. Young, Tiffany & Young was a stationery and fancy good emporium at 259 Broadway in New York City.  Charles Tiffany assumes control of the company in 1853 and renames it, Tiffany & Co. In 1870, Tiffany & Co. moved from its Broadway address to Union Square.   In 1902, Charles Tiffany's son, Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933) establishes the “Tiffany Art Jewelry” department to manufacture his innovative jewelry and enamels, that will echo the artistry of his stained glass lamps and windows produced by Tiffany Studios.  In 1940, Tiffany moves its headquarters to its current location on Fifth Avenue at 57^th Street.

On display on the shelves of the Open Storage Viewing Room, visitors will see:

Souvenir Spoons

By the early 1890s, the passion for collecting spoons was a fashionable craze.  Thousands of commemorative spoons were made by American manufacturers, including Tiffany & Co., in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 

Presentation Bowl

A week after graduating from Yale University as a member of the class of 1932, Erastus Corning 2nd (1909-1983) married Elizabeth Norris Platt (1912-1993) in Philadelphia on June 23.  Fourteen of his classmates served as ushers and presented the couple with this silver bowl. 

Dresser Set

Tiffany & Co. produced an assortment of articles for a lady’s dressing table.  This monogrammed dresser set belonged to Harriet Weld Corning Rawle (1876-1950), the only daughter of Erastus Corning, Jr. (1827-1897). 

Cup & Saucer

Silver objects produced for use by children were popular items at Tiffany & Co.  Cups and saucers were typical birthday and special occasion gifts. 

Tray

In the 19th century, Tiffany & Co. made every effort to provide objects needed for the proper Victorian home.  This tray was probably used to hold calling cards and may have been the first silver object a visitor encountered upon entering the front hall of Mary de Camp Corning (1843-1935) of Albany. 

Dressing Set

This five-piece man’s dressing set includes personal grooming articles, a clothes brush and buttonhook. 

Game Box

Although the name, Tiffany & Co. is synonymous with silver, the store sold fancy goods of all sorts to the discriminate buyer. This hinged box opens to reveal three layers of game pieces: a game of cards (perhaps whist or cribbage), chess, checkers or backgammon. 

Support for BLUE BOX TREASURES was provided by Karen Nicholson.