Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-16
Splendid Array Of Diamonds
and Ornaments.
AN ENDLESS VARIETY
HARRIS & SKATERS DISPLAY OF
THE JEWELERS. ART.
Jewels, Gold and Silver Work. CUT
Glass and Art Objects the
Wares of this Firm.

& Shafer
This firm has always kept its name and |
reliability to a high standard and has con-
stantly enlarged its several departments.
1t has won for itself an enviable name and
| reputation. An example of what tact and
push will do is forcibly shown In the cases
| of Mr.. Harris and Mr.. Shafer.
| Mr.. Edwin Harris is native OF Charles
county, Nd, and was born in 1891. He
| ceived a common school education. the facil-
| tiles for education at that time being
very limited. At an early age he came TO
| Washington, and almost Immediately start
| ed working in the store of Gait Bros After
| being with them for a number of years
he was taken into partnership in 1870, and
| remained with the firm partner for nine
| years He afterward sold out his interest
and started a store of his own on the prem-
! ises of the present location
Mr.. Shafer, the Junior member of the firm.
was born and reared at Boonsboro', WASH
| ington county, Nd. He came to Washing-
ton when he was only ten years of age.
He attended Gonzaga College and then en-
tered Georgetown University. After leaving
school he. too. entered the employ of Calf
Bros. in the fall of 1S49 He remained with
this firm for thirty years. and consequently
| mastered the jewelry and matchmaking
ris left Calls to open a store Of his own
| Mr.. Shafer also left to become a partner
| with Mr.. Harris.
| Their building was an old landmark and
| very small The firm started with four
| show cases, but within a month after their
opening found that the business had grown
to such extent that they were COM
PEELED to enlarge the stock well the
store
They tore down this building that they
| were then occupying and built their present
elegant and commodous store.
Along in 1879. when everything was in q
panic which threatened to ruin a great
| many establishments this firm. by reason
of it's management and careful forethought,
overcame the many difficulties which rose
at that time. OF the many houses who en-
barked into the Jewelry business thirty -odd
years ago, this firm Of the threa
who succeeded thus proving their aptness
for this line OF business
1t is probable that ever since the begin-
ming of mans existence on this planet, per-
sonal decoration and adornment has abb
sorbed considerable of his time. In pre-his-
toric times paint and feathers satisfied his
ideas of what was beautiful, but when
beautiful woman entered the lists and
adorned herself for conquest only the rar-
est products satisfied her artistic tastes and
ideas. and from that time dates the growth
of the jewelers. art, and today II is one OK
the greatest of modern industrys.
1t is interesting to note the changes that
have come over the jewelry business within
the last few years Where number or
years ago the members of this firm made
annual visits to England and the continent
for the purposing of collecting novelties in
silverware, bric-a-brac, diamonds, etc.
these visits have now ceased to be so FREE
quent. America has improved so greatly
an he ma n silver goods and
elites that the demand for imported goods
is now far less than 1t was a few years
ago, owing to the fact that. as regards
workmanship, ideas and quality, American
goods of this class compare favorably with
foreign importations. This Is especially
true of silver and bronze goods, as 1t has
been proven that goods of this character
manufactured in this country contain bet
ter metal and are Of a higher class of work.
manship than goods made In England and
other countries.
The demand for imported watches is ever
Increasing, however This is due to the fact
that as yet American manufacturers OF
watches have not been able TO successfully
compete with those of foreign make, par
ticularly those from Switzerland, the
standard makes Of that country being the
Jurgensen Nardin, Vacheron and Constap-
tin All of these makes have had a repu-
tation covering q period Of several genera
tons Although American watches are
being made better each year and in larger
numbers nevertheless the marvellous relia-
bility of these Swiss watches will insure q
demand for them for years to come
The firm always carries splendid line OK
French and English clocks. They deal very
largely in the old-fashioned staircase
clocks and are agents for the celebrated
Elliott clocks made In London. which have
a set of tubular attachments that are struck
with great precision, sweet tone and regu-
laritv These clocks are very valuable.
American manufacturers have not yet been
able to make this particular type OF clock.
The collection of fine diamonds in the
stock of this firm Is not surpassed by any
other dealer in Washington. 1t has al
ways been a rule of the house to keep none
hut the very best of diamonds. emeralds,
pearls. rubies and other precious stones In
their enormous stock. There is perhaps
nothing to which they have devoted their
years of experience more than to the Sc
lecting of precious stones.
Nearly all of their diamonds come from
South Africa, and the choice collection
which they have is not superseded by many
other houses of the kind in the country. me
firm have every modern equipment for
producing artistic work In the setung OK
these stones and have turned out many
exquisite and wonderful designs and set
tingS.
They have an ever-increasing demand for
their stones, and, although diamonds are
steadily increasing in value, nevertheless IL
has not affected their established uaue in
this line a.
Justice would not be given to this firm
mention were not made of the many Deauu-
full designs and patterns In gold ana sllVer
honbon dishes tea sets, coffee sets ana
hundreds of other articles which they carry
in stock. -,
The silver department OF the establish
ment is especially rich. Hundreds of ar
ticles in exquisite designs, ranging In value
from the smaller articles for everyday use
to wonderful punch bowls, dinner SETS ana
rare bric-a-brac valued at hundreds or
dollars are shown. The display in the
handsome setting of black woods and plate
mirrors is one long to be remembered.
One piece that attracted attention at
recent visit to the store was a silver minia-
ture table made after the design OF
priceless table of century ago. Its grace
full. delicate curved legs. its polished sur
face and It's every line, telling OF perfec-
ton make a uniquely attractive piece OF
bric-a -brac The collection of bohemian
and other foreign glasses is also varied and
fine. -. . -
At the holiday season a visit to such
gifts that will be valued and apprecia ted as
long as the recipient lives and cherished by
his children and grandchildren.
THE Harris & Shafer establishment is one
of the most richly and fitted-up in the city.
a quiet elegance and richness of black
woods and handsome mirrors, floor and
wall show cases fine papers and beauh-
full decora tons give the place sumptuous
oppaorarea al once StamnS Ii for what