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Signed SA Samsan vintage costume jewelry

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Signed SA Samsan vintage costume jewelry

Bow brooch and clip on earrings of silver tone. 1950s. Signed SA Samsan vintage costume jewelry

SA Samsan vintage costume jewelry

The history of Samsan Manufacturing Co. began in the late 1930s in Providence, Rhode Island. The founder of the company located at 158 Pine Street, Providence, was Pasquale Sammartino (1895-1986). Born on March 21, 1895 in Agnone, Provincia di Isernia, Molise, Italy, young Pasco emigrated to the jewelry capital of the United States. Together with his brother, they founded Sammartino Bros. Jewelry Mfg. in 1922. The company closed in 1931, unable to cope with the economic situation, like many jewelry companies during the Great Depression.
Some years later, Pasco decided to open the new firm, which had become the family business of his wife Jennie (Giovanna), their three sons and a daughter.
In August 1941, 50 people worked in his firm, according to the US Senate document “To Authorize the Use for War Purposes of Silver Held Or Owned by the United States” (1942). Also, his company was a Member of the New England Manufacturing Jewelers ‘and Silversmiths’ Association.
Pasco’s eldest son, Louis (Luigi) Pasco Sammartino (1925-2019) joined the family business after graduating from Mt. Pleasant High School in Providence in 1943. He worked there for many years as a designer, production and marketing manger, making the company successful. His younger brother Alfred also worked for the family company, and died the same year as Louis. In the late 1980s they stopped making jewelry and sold the company.
Initially, the company produced silver items with gold filling, and the marking of such items included the word Samsan and the purity of the gold, for example 1/20 12K GF. When the copyright mark appeared in the mid-1950s, the company changed the mark to SA in a square and the copyright mark in a different square. Also, there’s “SA” mark along with the copyright sign on a rectangular base, which many attribute to Samsan Co. In general, this is quite possible, over a long history, change of owners and designers.

Apple half peeled brooch. Gold tone, rhinestones

Apple half peeled brooch. Gold tone, rhinestones

Noteworthy, there were two jewelry trademarks which also signed their pieces with “SA”. In particular,
SA by Richline Group, Inc. and SA by Aurafin LLC, both registered in 1993.

Hallmarked Samsan used before 1955

Maker’s mark used before 1955

Mark since 1950s

Mark since 1955

Trademark

Trademark

Signed SA Samsan vintage costume jewelry

Beetle insect brooch. Metal alloy, faux pearls. 3.5 cm. 1980s

Beetle insect brooch. Metal alloy, faux pearls. 3.5 cm. 1960s

Bow brooch. Brushed gold tone, rhinestones. 1960s

Bow brooch. Brushed gold tone, rhinestones. 1960s

Bow brooch. Brushed gold tone, rhinestones

Bow brooch. Brushed gold tone, rhinestones

Family mum dad and two kids gold tone brooch

Happy Family mum dad and two kids gold tone brooch

Faux baroque pearl gold tone brooch

Faux baroque pearl gold tone brooch

Jaguar brooch. Gold tone, black enamel, rhinestones

Jaguar brooch. Gold tone, black enamel, rhinestones

Ladybug gold tone rhinestones brooch pin

Ladybug gold tone rhinestones brooch pin

Large faux pearl gold tone brooch

Large faux pearl gold tone brooch

Leaf and berries brooch. Textured gold tone metal alloy, faux pearl. 1940s

Leaf and berries brooch. Textured gold tone metal alloy, faux pearl. 1940s

Maltese cross brooch pendant. Gold tone, emerald green crystals, faux pearls, rhinestones. 5.6 cm. 1960s

Maltese cross brooch pendant. Gold tone, emerald green crystals, faux pearls, rhinestones. 5.6 cm. 1960s

Oak leaves acorn brooch of gold tone

Oak leaves acorn brooch of gold tone

Pineapple half peeled brooch. Gold tone, rhinestones

Pineapple half peeled brooch. Gold tone, rhinestones

Plant leaf design gold tone brooch pin

Plant leaf design gold tone brooch pin

Pomegranate half peeled brooch. Gold tone, rhinestones

Pomegranate half peeled brooch. Gold tone, rhinestones

Signature

Signature

Vintage pieces marked “SA” along with the copyright sign on a rectangular base:

Elephant brooch. Textured gold tone metal, rhinestones

Elephant brooch. Textured gold tone metal, rhinestones

Hummingbird brooch. Gold tone metal, art glass. 1960s

Hummingbird brooch. Gold tone metal, art glass. 1960s

Silver and gold tone textured metal rhinestones brooch. 1960s

Silver and gold tone textured metal rhinestones brooch. 1960s

Signature

Signature