SMP Logo
SM Publications
Silver Salon Forums - The premier site for discussing Silver.
SMP | Silver Salon Forums | SSF - Guidelines | SSF - FAQ | Silver Sales


The Silver Salon Forums
Since 1993
Over 11,793 threads & 64,769 posts !!

General Silver Forum



Silver Salon internal search
or

REGISTER (click here) How to Post Photos


customtitle open  SMP Silver Salon Forums
tlineopen  General Silver Forum
tline3open  Old Newbury

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
profile | register | preferences | faq | search

ForumFriend SSFFriend: Email This Page to Someone! next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   Old Newbury
middletom

Posts: 467
Registered: May 2004

iconnumber posted 11-09-2016 08:28 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for middletom     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Hello, all.

I've been away for some time, concentrating on other matters.

I want to let you know the latest at Old Newbury Crafters. Chloe has left us to go back to school, pursuing her Masters degree. She will be at it for three years and most likely will not come back to us for she wants to teach. A Masters will certainly get her a job at a good school. We wish her well and will miss her a great deal.

So, I am the last silversmith at the company. I am well and enjoy getting back into the thick of flatware making, but it is a bit lonely there. Dan, our finisher, is having big health problems and is approaching retirement, so I may soon have to do all the finishing, also. As Dan made all the hollow knife handles that job will fall to me, also. I did it many years ago so I guess I can pick up the torch again.

We still suffer under the ownership which cares not one bit for the company or its uniqueness or its history. I have to assume that when I can no longer do the work the company will disappear. Very sad, indeed.

I am sixty-nine now and though in good health I can't depend on that lasting forever.

My best to all,
Geoff Blake

IP: Logged

Kimo

Posts: 1627
Registered: Mar 2003

iconnumber posted 11-10-2016 09:39 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Kimo     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Welcome back Geoff.

I am sorry to hear that Chloe has returned to school and is not likely to return. I would think that her time with you learning about silver smithing and the overall business would be worth more than any Master's degree, but if that is what she wants then I guess it is for the best for her. It is sad to hear that you are the last smith, and may soon be the last smith and finisher. I can only wish the owner wakes up and acts before it is too late to save such an historic workshop. On the positive side he has not just closed the place down entirely.

best,
Kimo

IP: Logged

asheland

Posts: 935
Registered: Nov 2003

iconnumber posted 11-10-2016 10:21 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for asheland     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Glad to see you posting Geoff.

I am also sorry to hear she left the shop. I hope things turn around and they get some new silversmiths in there.

IP: Logged

middletom

Posts: 467
Registered: May 2004

iconnumber posted 11-13-2016 10:43 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for middletom     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The problem here is that the owner will never wake up and correct the situation. He apparently has no real interest in the company except being able to tell people he owns a silver company. The other thought which may be closer to the facts is that he is allowing it to go down hill so he can write off the losses on taxes.

It is my understanding that there is a gentleman who wants to buy the company and build it up, but the owner does not refuse to sell, he refuses to even acknowledge the communication from the prospective buyer.

It is discouraging to me to be the last one. I would like to pass this craft on to someone else for I feel it must survive. The present owner is not the one to make that happen.

Geoff Blake

IP: Logged

Kimo

Posts: 1627
Registered: Mar 2003

iconnumber posted 11-14-2016 09:05 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Kimo     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Do you know who the potential buyer might be? IF you are the last silver smith and soon will be the last finisher, you are pretty much the heart and soul of the company. If the owner will not sell, then one possibility is for the potential buyer, if he or she is well and truly committed, to try to lure you away to become the nucleus of a new company and have you be the Yoda for a new cadre of smiths and finishers? Were I to be interested in starting a new company that is what I would do.

IP: Logged

asheland

Posts: 935
Registered: Nov 2003

iconnumber posted 11-14-2016 01:34 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for asheland     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I agree with Kimo 100%
You have all the expertise. smile

IP: Logged

middletom

Posts: 467
Registered: May 2004

iconnumber posted 11-15-2016 09:46 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for middletom     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Kimo and Ashland,
It is interesting that you suggest going elsewhere with the help of the person hoping to buy. I know the man's name but nothing else about him except he has big bucks. He has been interested in the company for some time.

I have long thought it would be wonderful if someone such as he should decide to start a new company because Old Newbury is unavailable. That would leave the current owner with the name and the tools. I think it would be possible to replace many of the tools if one has the funds. I have no idea whether hiring us workers away would cause the owner of Old Newbury to give in and sell the name and the tools, but I would like to think it could happen.

Well, I feel well and am still able to swing the hammer, so I will stick to it. I love making silver flatware and I don't golf so staying here is what I can do best.

We have a number of Christmas orders, not the extent of years past, but enough to keep me working briskly for the next couple months.

Geoff Blake

IP: Logged

asheland

Posts: 935
Registered: Nov 2003

iconnumber posted 11-15-2016 10:03 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for asheland     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Whatever you decide to do, you'll make great silverware! I've seen your work in person on several occasions. It's excellent!

IP: Logged

All times are ET

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Close Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Hop to:


Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.46a


1. Public Silver Forums (open Free membership) - anyone with a valid e-mail address may register. Once you have received your Silver Salon Forum password, and then if you abide by the Silver Salon Forum Guidelines, you may start a thread or post a reply in the New Members' Forum. New Members who show a continued willingness to participate, to completely read and abide by the Guidelines will be allowed to post to the Member Public Forums.
Click here to Register for a Free password

2. Private Silver Salon Forums (invitational or $ donation membership) - The Private Silver Salon Forums require registration and special authorization to view, search, start a thread or to post a reply. Special authorization can be obtained in one of several ways: by Invitation; Annual $ Donation; or via Special Limited Membership. For more details click here (under development).

3. Administrative/Special Private Forums (special membership required) - These forums are reserved for special subjects or administrative discussion. These forums are not open to the public and require special authorization to view or post.


| Home | Order | The Guide to Evaluating Gold & Silver Objects | The Book of Silver
| Update BOS Registration | Silver Library | For Sale | Our Wants List | Silver Dealers | Speakers Bureau |
| Silversmiths | How to set a table | Shows | SMP | Silver News |
copyright © 1993 - 2022 SM Publications
All Rights Reserved.
Legal & Privacy Notices