Published September 2004
VISIT TIAS.com
·
CONTACT!
In this Issue
Automatic unsubscribe link at bottom of page. Just click on it to be removed from this mailing list. If you can't get the unsub link to work, type "remove" in the subject line and send this entire newsletter back to us.
1. Welcome!This is the First Anniversary issue of The Cuff Linker. The Cuff Linker is a free monthly newsletter about cuff link collecting. Our goal is to provide: Original articles about how to enjoy both the collecting and wearing of cuff links, and; to supply up to date information based on reliable sources. This issue contains short articles on a style of cuff link, an era and a company. Please provide me with suggestions of makers that should be profiled in the future as well as any types of cuff links you would like to see examined.
2. Wraps For Cufflinkers, a wrap is not an Atkins diet sandwich. A wrap is a cuff link that has a band that completely loops around the side of the cuff. The band may be removable and it may be a solid piece or mesh. Thus, wraps do run the gamut from the classic to the sassy. Pieces from Cartier to pieces from Swank.
The earliest wraps came out in the 1920s, including those by Cartier. This style was popular in France during the 20s. These earliest wraps were done in gold, many with jewels, and are produced to this day. This style wrap provides a finished look that was different than the finished look provided by double-sided cuff links. Wraps were updated in the costume style of the “out there” 60s. Wraps from the 60s and early 70s are far from classy, but have certain sass as they are generally quite large (right) and some appear to have more wattage than a lighthouse. These large and garish links would have a metallic mesh band that would loop around the cuff from the main “bejeweled” face to the toggle in the back and would be locked in by the toggle. Because of the use of the toggle, these costume pieces do not have the same completely finished look as that found in the classic wrap. Whether you want classy or sassy, wraps are fun and deserve consideration for your wearing pleasure.
... more ...
Art Nouveau is not simply a jewelry period, but an overall design period that is epitomized by the glasswork of Louis Comfort Tiffany and Rene Lalique.
n 1893, the first cultured pearl was recovered from an oyster. Kokichi Mikimoto quickly became the Pearl King. While he did say, “I would like to adorn the necks of all woman in the world with pearls” his company did not totally ignore men. Mikimoto cuff links are generally very traditional, and their dress sets fit into the best white tie affairs.
Mikimoto’s cuff links are classic in style and well made and, if you find yourself often at white tie events, there probably should be a Mikimoto set in you jewelry draw.
5. Musings...
First, to say officially that I am working toward having The Cuff Linker host a cuff link convention in New York City during August of 05. I’ll try to make it as interesting as the RNC this month, but without all the protests. Even though my employer has been in the business casual mode for several years, I find the need to be properly dressed for certain meetings (even if they are a conference call) as being dressed shapes my opinion of myself and enables me to be more forceful, if needed. It appears that many individuals are coming back to the idea of being dressed for work as there have been several articles, including Reuters, about the demise of business casual. I suspect there is some truth in this as my cuff link sales this year are considerably more than they have been the last couple of years. I look forward to hearing from all those interested in cuff links, especially those of you who might wish to provide articles for The Cuff Linker. I’m looking for stories involving favorite cuff links, wonderful cuff link stories and articles about cuff link collecting areas. The overall purpose of this newsletter is to keep bring to you a few unusual cuff links, sometimes provide good information on makers and issues and to help keep the fun in wearing and collecting cuff links. Please let me know if there are particular makers or designs that you would like to see featured in future issues. A special thanks to Jarrett’s Jade and Tellmeabout UK for linking to the Cuff Linker Archive.
6. Helpful Resources
It has finally happened, one of the major auction houses now has a great glossary of jewelry terms. Check out the glossary provided by the jewelry department at Christie's.http://www.christies.com/departments/glossary.asp?DID=33
If you are interested in the history of the culture pearl industry, then go to the Mikimoto museum “pearl island” online athttp://www.mikimoto-pearl-museum.co.jp/en/
As a follow-up to the last issue, I have not received any information regarding “Original by Victor.” If any reader knows about this maker please let me know so the information can be listed in the next issue of the Cuff Linker.
To subscribe to the Cuff Linker: http://tias.com/subscribeCufflinker
To subscribe to other TIAS newsletters, including The Watch Enthusiast for which I am the editor and primary contributor: http://tias.com/subscribe
Please e-mail comments to huck@tias.com. While I still have not gotten to it yet, I will be updating my website. I've got hundreds of pairs of cuff links to be added (mostly in the collectible and costume areas) and not enough time to make too many mistakes. Please let me know your thoughts on how my store or our mall can be adjusted to make finding the type of cuff links that you are searching for easier and your overall browsing experience more pleasurable! Thank you for reading! Please feel free to forward this to a friend. Paul G. Huck email: Huck@Tias.comwebsite: http://captainhucksbooty.com
