Paul Selenger costume jewellery

Paul Selenger costume jewellery
The history of Selro Jewelry Mfg. Co spans a rather short period of not more than two decades, 1950-70′. Despite this, all Selro jewelry is so distinctive that to confuse it with any other brand is almost impossible. According to art historians, Paul Selenger was personally involved in the design of jewelry. High quality production, incredibly innovative design and rare talent of businessman Paul Selenger brought success to the company. Noteworthy, Selro made jewelry for such companies as Florenza, Capri, Hattie Carnegie and Hargo.
Born in 1911 in Odessa into the family of an ordinary tailor, Paul Selenger emigrated from Russia to New York City in 1927.
As we know, 1927 was the height of the American depression. Luckily, young Paul and his sister Fanny began to work in the jewelry store of their uncle. Having received American citizenship in 1942, Paul Selenger served in the Marine Corps of the US Army, and continued to serve in North Africa and Japan. Only in 1948, Sergeant Salinger returned to civilian life.

Still interested in jewelry production, he got a job in one of the oldest American factories ‘H.Pomeranz & Co. NY’. The company produced jewelry buckles, buttons, and cuff links.
Talented businessman and jeweler, Paul Selenger opened his company Selro Jewelry Mfg. in 1949. The name of the company consists of first 3 letters his last name, and ro – the first two letters of the name of his mother, Rosa. Also, his sister helped Paul tu run the family business.

Paul Selenger costume jewellery

In the early 60s Selenger opens another line of jewelry with more refined design – “Selini”. These ornaments were marked Selro / Selini, as well as both plants worked. One in New York and the other in Providence, Rhode Island. According to his family members, there was another line of jewelry marked Selan, which worked quite a short period of time.

Mr. Paul Selenger married rather late, when he was 52, and he didn’t have heirs to continue his business. He died at age 79 on Dec. 16, 1990.

In 1960 Selro Corporation came under the control of the jewelry corporation Expansion Ltd., which produced the products under the brand name Selro / Selini until 1975.
Noteworthy, many Hollywood film stars and known people loved Selro jewelry with faces of Thai, Asian and African princesses, Chinese masks and with inserts of Lucite – confetti. The jewelry won the hearts of collectors for the nontrivial design, original materials and bold textures.

Paul Selenger costume jewellery