MS-190
SPERRY JEWELRY STORE COLLECTION
INTRODUCTION
The Sperry Jewelry Store Collection was accessioned into the Piqua Public Library Archives and Special Collections in May 2009. The collection was donated to the library by Mrs. Jean Franz. The collection consists of three diamond record books and several other miscellaneous documents.
The Sperry Jewelry Store was an outgrowth of the Richey Jewelry Store at 207 N. Main Street. The 1938 Piqua City Directory is the first listing of the Sperry Jewelry Store. The business continued at 207 N. Main until approximately May 1972 when the store went out of business and Edwin Sperry retired.
The collection is housed in a single Hollinger box containing seven files. There are no know restrictions on the use of these materials.
SCOPE AND CONTENT
The Sperry Jewelry Store Collection is divided into three series:
SERIES I: LEASES – Box 1, files 1 and 2.
SERIES II: DIAMOND RECORD BOOKS – Box 1, files 3-5.
SERIES III: MISCELLANEOUS – Box 1, files 6 and 7.
CONTAINER LIST
SERIES I: LEASES
BOX 1
File
1 Ten year lease between Bertie Clarke (lessor) and C. E. Sperry (lessee) for land and a cottage on Lake Ridge Island, Indian Lake, Logan County, Ohio. Agreed upon lease payment is $94.00 per year for the first five years and then $100.00 per year for the last five years. The lease was signed and notarized on 24 August 1943.
2 Lease by C. Edwin Sperry and Florence M. Sperry to Joseph N. Scarch and Kathleen Scarch of all the street level and full use of the basement at 213 N. Main Street. Lease dated 10 October 1950. Joe Scarch operated a restaurant at the 213 N. Main St. location.
SERIES II: DIAMOND RECORD BOOKS
3 Sperry Jewelry Company Diamond Record #100-718. The book is indexed in the front alphabetically by the name of the purchaser and the page number where the specific record is located. The individual records are recorded chronologically. Each record contains the following information: Weight of the diamond, color, shape, and details of the setting and ring. Also included in the record is a sketch of the mounting, the name of the purchaser, the date of the purchase, and the price and total of the diamond and sale recorded in a letter code. The first date recorded in this book is 2 March 1956.
4 Sperry Jewelry Company Diamond Record #719-1205. The book is indexed in the front alphabetically by the name of the purchaser and the page number where the specific record is located. The individual records are recorded chronologically. Each record contains the following information: Weight of the diamond, color, shape, and details of the setting and ring. Also included in the record is a sketch of the mounting, the name of the purchaser, the date of the purchase, and the price and total of the diamond and sale recorded in a letter code.
5 Sperry Jewelry Company Diamond Record #1206-1427. The book is indexed in the front alphabetically by the name of the purchaser and the page number where the specific record is located. The individual records are recorded chronologically. Each record contains the following information: Weight of the diamond, color, shape, and details of the setting and ring. Also included in the record is a sketch of the mounting, the name of the purchaser, the date of the purchase, and the price and total of the diamond and sale recorded in a letter code. This book is the last in the series and is only one-half filled. The last date recorded in the book is May 1972.
SERIES III: MISCELLANEOUS
6 A hand written record of jewelry purchases. The record is written on both sides of four sheets of yellow tablet paper. The record is written in four columns. Column one lists the name of the purchaser. Column two lists the date of the purchase. Column three lists a description of the gem stone and the setting in code. Column four lists the purchase price. The record is in an approximate alphabetical order with some names added in at various locations without regard to the alphabetical sequence. The dates in this record range from December 1944 to December 1958.
7 A photo card of diamonds showing the sizes and cuts of diamonds. The card is from Maybaum Brothers Inc.