History of Accessocraft (USA, 1930-1998)
The Accessocraft Products Co company was founded in 1935 in New York by Edgar Rodelheimer and Theodore Steinman. It is known that before opening their own company, Edgar and Theodore worked as salesmen for the Chernow brothers (Michael and Joseph Chernow ) in another very famous jewelry company Monet (Monocraft).
Accessocraft specialized in the production of costume jewelry, belts, buttons, tie clips, buckles and other jewelry products in demand in the fashion field. But the company also produced theater binoculars and magnifying glasses, cigarette cases, boxes for compact powders, cases for combs and lipsticks.
During World War II, Accessocraft began producing war-themed jewelry, the most popular of which was a brooch designed by Robert R. Appleby with a lion on a ribbon and the inscription: Dieu et mon droit (God and my right – motto United Kingdom of Britain and Northern Ireland). The jewelry was sold in 1940-1941. under the “Bundles for Britain” charity program to raise funds by the Relief Society.
It is this brooch that Vivien Leigh adorns on the cover of LOOK Magazine on December 17, 1940.
In the 1960s, Accessocraft reached the peak of its popularity thanks to heraldic jewelry: brooches, necklaces and buckles with Maltese crosses, heraldic lions, armorial eagles, shields and crowns became more popular than ever. Accessocraft also produces elegant bracelets, earrings and brooches using Czech glass in various shades.
In the 1970s, company began producing jewelry in an ethnic style: massive necklaces using Lucite, cabochons and semi-precious stones.
Edgar Rodelheimer and Theodore Steinman recruit designers such as Philippe Israel, Robert R. Appleby, Albert Freedman, and Ann Miller to work at Accessocraft. They also produce jewelry. together with Anne Klein and Pauline Trigere.
The company ceased operations in 1998. Theodore’s son, Paul Steinman, ran the company until its closure.
Accessocraft jewelry marking
The marking of jewelry produced by the company is as follows: Accessocraft N.Y.C., with the copyright sign “Accessocraft ©”, on the tag: capital A and the inscription Accessocraft.
In the 1940s Jewelry from this company was produced under the brand name “Plastigold”, and in 1945 plastic jewelry was released under the brand name ‘Teathagold’.
Features of Accessocraft Vintage Jewelry
The brand produced jewelry with innovative style and quality. As a result, prices were higher than some of the more well-known American costume jewelry companies. If you compare the prices of jewelry in the 1940s between Accessocraft and Coro, then the products of the former could be three times more expensive. But despite this, they managed to occupy their niche and conquer the fashionistas of that time.
Accessocraft Collectible Vintage Jewelry
Today, the most popular and expensive jewelry produced by this company are heraldic brooches, brooches in the form of figures and jewelry from the Christmas series.
