Vintage Sterling Silver B.A. Ballou (B.A.B.) Tie Clasp (Approximately 6 Grams)

B.A. Ballou (B.A.B) was founded in Providence, Rhode Island in 1876 by Barton Allen Ballou. The business, operated by the Ballou family for well over a century, is widely known for producing findings for jewelry such as catches, pins, and clasps. This firm invented the modern safety catch introduced in the 1930s, which is still widely used on brooches made by many different companies today. Ballou also produced fine jewelry in their factory along with a limited amount of costume jewelry, including sterling silver designs.

B.A. Ballou used several different marks over time, such as BAB, Ballou in capital letters, and a capital B within a star shape, amongst others. In print advertising in the late 1800s for items such as collar buttons, the word trademark appears arched over the star. Several other brand names, such as Small Wonders and EZ Squeeze, were also trademarked in conjunction with the findings they produced.

Carolyn Ballou, who worked as B.A. Ballou’s design director for many years, designed her own line of jewelry since the mid-1990s. Her jewelry is usually crafted of karat gold, sterling silver, or stainless steel and embellished with lesser value gemstones.

B.A. Ballou entered into receivership and was purchased by a competitor in the jewelry findings business, W.R. Cobb, also located in Providence in 2009. Ballou is now a subsidiary of W.R. Cobb.


In general, all items may or may not have been damaged by water, smoke, mold, insects, mishandling, animal chewing, cracks, nicks, dings, dents, rips, marks, stains, divots, waviness, creases, scratches, etc.

***Please look at the attached photos for size and condition. Photos are part of the description representing the condition report and can be used for authentication prior to the sale date. We urge bidder's to view all attached photos in detail. All items are sold "AS IS". Thank you for your interest and good luck bidding.

Notes: Please inspect all photos carefully before bidding. Thank you for your interest and good luck bidding.

Consistent with age and use.

18%

Mike Marsullo | (860) 997-3332 | fil14fy@gmail.com

Pickup Details

Private Residence

Torrington, CT 06790

When to Pickup

Saturday, 8/13, 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm

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