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With the exception of the German ring box, all boxes on this page are
Canadian companies. Ellis Brothers, O. B. Allan, and Roden Co. are all Canadian
companies.
These boxes are my personal collection and are not for sale .
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German Silver Ring Box
The term "Ger. Silver" is short for "German Silver" a metal alloy that gives an appearance of silver, but
actually
has no silver content whatsoever. It was developed in 1824 by two German Scientists in order to win a prize
competition for developing an alloy which, while similar in appearance to silver, should not cost more than
1/6 as
much and should be suitable for tableware. This material is also sometimes called nickel silver. The formula
for the
alloy is 18 parts nickel, 22 parts zinc, and 60 parts copper. In addition to being used all by itself, German
Silver
may also be used as the base metal of which to construct an object, over which silverplating would then
be applied. So, in short, this box is just like silverplate. It's not sterling. This box features a stylized applied fleurs
de lis. The area around the ring pad and on the top step of the box, features embossed scroll work. It has a push button closure.
Very nice.
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| Marked Roden on bottom and bears Ellis satin inside lid. Flat box holds ring in a lying position. |
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| O.B. Allan box marked on bottom and hold O.B. Allan paper label inside lid satin. |
Oscar Bruce Allan was born in 1878 in Guelph, Ontario. He moved to Vancouver in 1897, where he was employed
by George. E. Trory, jeweler and watchmaker. O.B. Allan opened his first jewelry store in 1904 at the corner of Granville
and Pender Streets. In 1910 or 1911 the store was moved temporarily to 581 Granville (at Dunsmuir); in 1912 it was moved back
to Granville and Pender into the newly-built Rogers Building. The business manufactured and sold jewelry, especially diamonds.
O.B. Allen died in 1966, leaving the business to his son, also named Oscar Bruce Allan. The latter retired in 1973.
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| Marked Roden on bottom and bears engine turned stripes on lid. |
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| Marked Roden on bottom, lid is sunray design similar to Birks box and has "CC" intitals on lid. |
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"THE NOTEBOOK BOX" BY RODEN
KENTS Limited Jewelers Toronto is on the satin inside the lid. The mark is 925,"R",lion, sterling which
are the marks for Roden. This box was used in the new Nicholas Sparks movie "The Notebook". It's release date June 25th, 2004.
Get out and see "The Notebook" and "The Box".
As of Jan 2004 I have some very interesting information
about the Kent's jewelers of Toronto. I was contacted by
a lovely lady, Eleanor Kent, whom is a granddaughter
to the last Kent which owned the store. Here is what she had to say.
"Beautiful website. I don't have a collection of sterling boxes - they sure are gorgeous. Was
fascinated by your information re the Kents' Limited ring box. My grandfather owned Kents' Limited jewelry store in
Toronto - had been a family business since the mid-1800s until my grandfather closed it down in the early Fifties (claimed
the "new credit jewelers" had ruined the business!). We still have several of the Kents' sterling
boxes in the family along with other sterling & jewelery. Looking forward to the movie using that box - will tell
the rest of the family.
First - long story on how I found you. Was checking my mother's house make sure everything is
OK; I came across the leather bound book that contains the Letters Patent (what we would call "articles of incorporation"
in the USA) dated 1910. This is when my grandfather & his brother bought out their father & uncle &
took over the functioning jewellery business. The original business was started by Ambrose Kent (two or three generations
further back - early to mid 1800s); Ambrose had come from England. Long story short - I brought the book home
& got wondering what would happen if I searched "Kents Limited Toronto" on the web - so I tried it. Voila - up came
your site as the 5th item listed - I almost fell over when I saw the reference to sterling ring box!!!!! I couldn't
believe it when I went to your site. I didn't know that the Kent boxes were made by Roden - so thank you for that
education.
My mother has the WHOLE Kent family history (even though it was my Dad who was the Kent). I think
the generation before my grandfather were silversmiths - my mother has a copy of
a book page showing the two different sets of sterling hallmarks
that were used. One is for Kent Bros and the other for Ambrose Kent. My grandfather bought out
his own brother in, I think, the 1920s & had his store on Yonge St in Toronto. Birks was his main competitor - he
sold diamonds, jewellery, sterling, china, watches etc. All very top drawer - they kind of looked down on Birks back
then! I don't think Kents' Ltd ever sold the sterling ring boxes. They were presented (with the ring
inside) to the purchaser of a ring (particularly engagement rings). Maybe we ought to give Harry Winston the idea -
or maybe he already does that if you spend enough!
I only have 1 ring box - I apparently played with it as a kid so it's missing the part that holds the ring
but the satin with Kents etc is still in the top. My sister-in-law has the other Kent box - it's in better shape.
I would bet that my Dad's sister & brother (who still live in Toronto) probably have more. I can check with
the brother's son - he had researched Kents Ltd and at one point had worked for Birks. If you want, I will also call
my mother & get the correct info. re the succession of Kents' Ltd & before.
Tell me about this movie. Are they really using your Kents' Limited box???? That would be
great - I'll tell the rest of the Kent family.
I told my husband about this (he had been particularly interesting in the Letters Patent documents) &
couldn't believe I'd found someone who actually has a Kent box - it is hard to believe that something my grandfather
once handled is now owned by someone I'm emailing. Any idea of the history of your box??? Too bad the box can't
talk! Hope this much helps."
Thank you for sharing your history with me, Sharon
It means a great deal!!
My book is signed by Nick Cassavettes, Joan Allen,
Rachel McAdam, Ryan Gosling, and David Thornton |
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Roden Brothers
The first box is the box used in "The Notebook". It's the
new Nicholas Sparks movie directed by Nick Cassavettes.
It stars Joan Allen, James Garner, Gena Rowlands, Ryan Gosling,Rachal McAdams, and David Hornton. Check
it out in
December.
The mark for Roden is "925" "R" and "lion passant" "sterling".
The second box is engine turned on top and marked on the bottom.
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