| Biography/History: |
The Watson Company formed in 1874 in Attleboro, Massachusetts by Clarence L. Watson, Fred Newell, Charles Cobb, Samuel Gould and W.A. Battey. The firm produced a line of jewelry goods, mainly gold-plated. Between 1875 and 1880, Battey, Cobb and Gould withdrew from the partnership, and Watson and Newell formed a new firm under the name Watson & Newell (1880-1886). In 1887, Joseph R. Ripley joined to the business and the firm changed its name to Watson, Newell & Co. In 1891, Edward L. Gowern joined the partnership. The business continued with success and, a larger factory opened in 1896. The name changed again to Watson & Newell Co., while Mechanics Sterling Company was the name of the subsidiary flatware branch. In 1899, Clarence Watson the firm’s first flatware patent and the company began wide production of flatware and souvenir spoons. Fred Newell retired from the active participation shortly after the turn of the century, although he remained an inactive partner until his death in 1910. In 1904, the sleeve and collar buttons division became a separate operating unit under the name of Standard Button Company under the direction of Ripley and Gowen. In this period the firm produced hundreds of sterling souvenir spoons depicting a variety of subjects. Beginning about 1900, Watson produced a line of sterling hollow-ware for Wilcox & Wagoner of New York using the "sword and laurel wreath" mark. Wilcox & Wagoner closed down c.1905 and Watson continued producing with this mark until 1929. In 1920 "The Watson Co." was incorporated taking in charge all the silver operations. Many new flatware patterns continued to be introduced on a regular basis. At the death of Clarence L. Watson in 1930, management of the firm was assumed by his son-in-law Grover Richards. In 1955, the business was sold to R. Wallace & Sons, and Wallace sold the dies of as many as 3,000 Watson souvenir spoons to the Inman Co., Inc. of Attleboro, Massachusetts. CHRONOLOGY Cobb, Gould & Co 1874 – 1880 Watson & Newell 1880 – 1886 Watson, Newell & Co 1887 – 1895 Watson & Newell Co 1895 – 1920 Watson Company 1920 – 1955 acquired by R. Wallace & Sons 1955 |