MS-207
Doug Stilwell – Thoma and Sons Jewelry Store Collection
Introduction
The Doug Stilwell-Thoma and Sons Jewelry Store Collection was accessioned into the Piqua Public Library Archives and Special Collections in April 2011 as part of a larger donation by Mr. Doug Stilwell. The collection is housed in five 15 x 12 x 10 Gaylord boxes and one 19 x 14 x 8 cardboard box. The boxes contain 52 files. Items in the collection are dated from 1871to 2003. The financial bulk of the financial records in the collection are dated from 1871-1931. Ownership of the collection has been deeded over to the Piqua Public Library Archives and Special Collections and there are no known restrictions on the use of the materials in the collection.
Scope and Content
The Doug Stilwell-Thoma and Sons Jewelry Store Collection is divided into the following six series:
SERIES I: PHOTOGRAPHS – Box 1 File 1-Box 2 File 4
SERIES II: PLAQUES – Box 2 File 5-File 13
SERIES III: LOOSE FINANCIAL RECORDS OF A. THOMA AND SONS – Box 2 File 14- File 21
SERIES IV: FINANCIAL RECORD BOOKS – Box 3 File 1-Box 5 File 4
SERIES V: ST. BONIFACE SCHOOL BUILDING FUND – Box 5 File 5
SERIES VI: BRIDAL REGISTRY CARDS – Box 6 File 1-File 2
History
Thoma and Sons Jewelers was founded in 1838 by Augustine Thoma. The business remained in the family and was passed to succeeding generations of sons from August to Albin then to Albin Jr., Leo and Joseph A. Thoma. Joseph A. Thoma left the business to Joseph A. Jr. and his daughters Eleanore and Antoinette upon his death in 1970. Several months later Eleanore and Antoinette bought Joseph A. Thoma Jr.’s interest in the business and took total control of Thoma and Sons Jewelers. Joe Jr. then established his own branch of the business as Joe Thoma and Sons Jewelers in 1970; this business still remains in the hands of the Joe Thoma family. On August 8, 1986 Eleanore and Antoinette Thoma sold Thoma and Sons Jewelers to Doug Stilwell who continued the business until 2011 when the business was closed.
Container List
BOX 1
SERIES I: Photographs
File
1 Matted and framed in an 8x10 wood frame is a black & white photo of the interior of the Thoma and Sons Jewelry Store in Sidney, Ohio, c. 1922
2 Matted and framed in an 11 x 12 ½ wood frame is a brown tonesphotograph of the interior of the Thoma and Sons Jewelry Store at 321 N. Main St., Piqua, Ohio. Photo is dated 1928
3 Matted and framed in a 13 x 14 ½ wood frame is a brown tonesphotograph of the interior of the A. Thoma& Sons Jewelry Store at 122 N. Main, Piqua in 1913. AlbinThoma is behind the cash register. Albin L. Thoma and Leo Thoma are also in the photo along with 2 women and 1 other man.
4 Matted and framed in a 12 x 14 wood frame is a black and whitephotograph of A. Thoma& Sons Jewelers at 321 N. Main. Above Thoma’s are the offices of Dr. George R. Upton, M.D. and L. C. McRoberts Insurance Agency representing New York Life Insurance Co. To the right of Thoma’s at 319 N. Main is the John D. Miller men’s clothing store and above that is the Piqua Varsity Club. To the left of Thoma’s at 323 N. main is F. H. Phillippi and Sons leather goods store. The photo is dated c. 1928.
5 Matted and framed in a 12 ¾ x 14 ½ wood frame is a black and white picture of Thoma and Sons Jewelers at 321 N. Main St. On the third floor was located the Janiece Sarver Dance Studio. The photograph is dated c. 1957.
6 Silver spoon with the initials “JH” on the handle mounted on a 5 ¼ x 10 ¾ wood grain frame with gray mounting board. Engraved on a silver 1 x 3 plate mounted below the spoon is “Jerusha Hilliard Hart, Purchased 1838, Thoma& Sons.
7 Silver 8 x 10 frame with a 7 x 9 oval opening, engraved by Thoma& Sons: “Dodie& Bill, August 18, 2000”
BOX 2
File
1 Black and white 5 x 7 photo of Thoma Jewelers, 321 N. Main, Piqua,c. 1950.Also in the photo: right side is the John D. Miller Store, men’s clothing and above it is IOOF #8 Lodge Hall, 319 N. Main. At 321 N. Main is Thoma and Sons Jewelers, Albin L. Thoma, Optometrist and above is Janiece Sarver Dance Studio. To the left at 323 N. Main is McCartney & Sons florist and seeds.
2 Photograph of AlbinThoma c. 1890 – 3 ½ x 5 oval mounted andmatted on a 6 ¾ x 10 ½ card. The photograph is by The Matthews Studio, Piqua, Ohio.
3 Glass lantern slide – photograph of Col. John Johnston – printed on the slide is “Our 120th Year, Linked with the Past–Geared for the Future, Thoma Jewelers are proud to serve you as we were to serve Col. John Johnston.” The lantern slide is dated 1958.
4 Thoma Fire – 7 April 1973: [1] 3 ½ x 4 ½ color photo of a fire truck in front of Thoma Jewelers with laddersextending into the building at the time of the Thoma fire. [2] Newspaper clipping about the Thoma Jewelry Store fire, Saturday, April 7, 1973, Piqua Daily Call.
SERIES II: PLAQUES
BOX 2
File
5 6 x 8 wood with black metal and gold lettering: “Douglas W. Stilwell in recognition for your support and dedication to Mainstreet Piqua, Inc. as a Trustee 1996-2001”
6 7 x 9 wood with metal: “Piqua Heritage Festival Window Decorating Contest Winner 2003”
7 8 x 10 wood with metal: “Piqua Heritage Festival 1996 DowntownWindow Display Contest 3rd Place, Stilwell’s Thoma& Son Jewelers”
8 10 ½ x 13 wood with metal: “Piqua Downtown Association Annual Christmas Window Display Award” – winners are listed from 1987-1995. Thoma and Sons won in 1990, 1993 and 1994.
9 9 x 12 ½ wood with curved top and square bottom, wood cut-out dancers in nightshirts and engraved plastic plate - “The Great outdoor Underwear Festival 1992 Window Decorating Contest – Most Historic”
10 9 x 11 ¼ wood rectangle with wood cut-out dancers in nightshirts and a wood plate – the plaque and the plate are hand lettered. “The Great Outdoor Underwear Festival Great Window Decorating Contest ‘Underwear’ Most Historic – October 12-13, 1991”
11 4 ½ x 6 wood rectangle with metal plate and insignia - “The GreatOutdoor Underwear Festival, Piqua, Ohio 1996 Parade Participant”
12 9 x 7 wood rectangle with red metal plate lettered and trimmed ingold - “The Great Outdoor Underwear Festival, ‘It’s an Underful World’ 1997 Window Decorating Contest Best Historical Theme”
13 9 x 7 wood rectangle with red metal plate lettered and trimmed in gold - “Window Decorating Contest 1996, The Great Outdoor Underwear Festival, Piqua, Ohio Best Historical Window Theme”
SERIES III: LOOSE FINANCIAL RECORDS OF A. THOMA AND SONS
File
14 Sales receipt dated 30 July 1885 by which Mr. J. A. Didot purchased 1brush, 1 file with handle, 2 screw drivers and 3 emery buffs for $1.20 from Thoma Bros., Jobbers in Jeweler’s Tools, Materials,Glasses, Etc. – No. 197 Main St., Piqua, O.
15 Journal account ledger sheets for the years 1908-1910.
16 “Complete Financial Statement, A. Thoma& Sons to Close of Business December 31, 1917 = Period July 1, 1907-January 1, 1918” including supporting Journal account pages.
17 [1] Financial Statement August 11, 1919, [2] Profit & Loss Statementfor 2 years, 1918 and 1919 inclusive, [3] Balance Sheet at close December 31, 1919.
18 Profit & Loss Statement, Balance Sheet, Work Sheet and supporting documents for 1921.
19 “Paid Out” sheets listing Accounts Payable from September 1921- November 1922.
20 Miscellaneous sheets of financial notes written on scrap paper – also a Profit & Loss Statement for the Year Ending December 31, 1922 and a Financial Statement (Balance Sheet) for December 31, 1922. These were filled out for the Bureau of Business Research, Harvard University.
21 Miscellaneous business papers and materials: [1] Brochure entitled“All But 35: From Sun Dial to Synchronous Electronics” – the brochure was produced to commemorate 115 years and four generations of Thoma and Sons Jewelers and is the history of the business from 1838-1953; [2] Invitation to the Thoma& Sons 150th Anniversary Cocktail Party on October 8, 1988; [3] Ticket for Thoma Jewelers 101th Anniversary drawing held December 30, 1939; [4] 6 Tickets for the A. Thoma& Sons “93 Gifts” drawing held December 31, 1931 and celebrating 93 years in business; [5] Prepaid 2 cent letter size envelope 6 ¾” x 3 ¾” with the following return address: “A. Thoma& Sons, Lock Drawer 737, Piqua, Ohio; [6] Prepaid 3 cent letter size envelope 6 ¾” x 3 ¾” with the printed return address: “A. Thoma& Sons, Lock Drawer 737, Piqua, Ohio
SERIES IV: FINANCIAL RECORD BOOKS
BOX 3
File
1 Address book containing 377 addresses – in the back of the book is a record of diamond ring sales from 1902-1904 and 1907-1910
2 “Day Book” recording sales, repairs, etc. and customer’s names fromSeptember 19, 1879 to February 18, 1882.
3 “Day Book” recording sales, repairs, etc. and customer’s names from January 2, 1884 to March 1, 1889.
4 “Day Book” recording watch and clock sales, repairs, etc. andcustomer’s names from September 13, 1886 to October 10, 1889.
5 “Day Book” recording watch and clock sales, repairs, etc. and customer’s names from October 15, 1889 to February 27, 1891.
6 “Day Book” recording watch and clock sales, repairs, etc. and customer’s names from February 28, 1891 to August 30, 1893
7 “Day Book” recording watch and clock sales, repairs, etc. and customer’s names from April 25, 1899 to May 14, 1901.
8 “Day Book” Watch Club Registry recording watch sales and customer payments on credit from November 2, 1898 to January 23, 1915.
9 “Day Book” recording watch and clock sales, repairs, etc. and customer’s names from May 15, 1901 to December 23, 1903.
10 “Day Book” recording watch and clock sales, repairs, etc. and customer’s names from December 24, 1903 to September 19, 1906.
BOX 4
File
1 Accounts Receivable and Sales Journal by customer name andPurchases and Accounts Payable Journal by vendor name. Dates in the book range from 1894 to 1909.
2 “Day Book” recording watch and clock sales, repairs, etc. andcustomer’s names from September 20, 1906 to June 8, 1909.
3 Cash Receipts Book – Page 1 records the sale of the business carried on by AlbinThoma as A. Thoma and Son to the new firm A. Thoma and Sons for $13,750.00. The remainder of the book records cash sales, payments for repairs and payments on account by customers. Dates in this book range from July 1, 1907 (date of organization of the new company) to July 31, 1913.
4 Cash Payments Journal (front) and Cash Receipts Journal (back). The journal lists individuals and companies to whom the payments were made and the individuals from whom payments were received. Dates in the book range from 1907 to 1918.
5 “Daily Statement of Business as shown by National Cash Register.” This book is a daily listing of the following: Cash in drawer; Cash Sales; Credit Sales; Total Business; Received on Account; Paid Out; Outstanding Accounts; Cash Balance; Special Counter Record. Dates in this book are from March 18, 1909 to December 31, 1912.
6 “Day Book” recording daily sales and receipts by the following departments: Jewelry; Optical; Rings; Spoons; Repair; Silverware; Sundries; Diamonds. The dates in the book range from July 1, 1909 to October 31, 1910. In the back of the book Diamond Sales are recorded by Customer name from November 4, 1910 to December 24, 1931.
7 “Day Book” recording watch and clock sales, repairs, etc. and customer’s names from February 27, 1912 to July 29, 1916.
BOX 5
File
1 “Day Book” recording watch and clock sales, repairs, etc. andcustomer’s names from July 29, 1916 to March 12, 1920.
2 “Radio Sales and Service” book arranged alphabetically by customer for the years 1948 and 1949.
3 “Day Book” recording watch and clock sales and repairs by customername and date for Thoma Bros. Jewelers And Optometrists, Bradford, Ohio. Dates in the book are from April 15, 1912 to October 8, 1914.
4 “Day Book” recording watch and clock sales and repairs by customer name and date for Thoma Bros. Jewelers And Optometrists, Bradford, Ohio. Dates in the book are from October 8, 1914 to September 13, 1917.
BOX 5
SERIES V: ST. BONIFACE SCHOOL BUILDING FUND
File
5 Financial Record of receipts and expenditures of the St. BonifaceSchool Building Fund. Dates in the book are from 1955 to 1958.
SERIES VI: BRIDAL REGISTRY CARDS
BOX 6
File
1 Cardboard file box, 12 x 6 ½ x 5 ¼, labeled “A – L” containing bridal registry cards recording silverware pattern, silver hollowware service pattern, china pattern and crystal pattern and thenumber of pieces of each item purchased for the bride and groom. The cards list the names of the bride and groom andhas space for “married address” and “present address.” The box contains between 600 and 750 cards. Some of the cards probably date back to the 1940’s.
2 Cardboard file box, 12 x 6 ½ x 5 ¼, labeled “M – Z” containing bridal registry cards recording silverware pattern, silver hollowware service pattern, china pattern and crystal pattern and thenumber of pieces of each item purchased for the bride and groom. The cards list the names of the bride and groom and has space for “married address” and “present address.” The box contains between 400 and 550 cards. Some of the cards probably date back to the 1940’s.
DOUG STILWELL DONATION INVENTORY
NOTE: All artifacts are located in BOX 401 except the vinyl street sign which is Free Standing (on a shelf)
1 – Vinyl street banner – 36”w x 40 ft. long – “Great Outdoor Underwear Festival” – artifact –
free standing
Plaques:
- “Douglas W. Stilwell in recognition for your support and dedication to Mainstreet Piqua, Inc. as a Trustee 1996-2001” – MS-207-2-5
- “Piqua Heritage Festival Window Decorating Contest Winner 2003” – MS-207-2-6
- “Piqua Heritage Festival 1996 Downtown Window Display Contest 3rd Place, Stilwell’s Thoma & Son Jewelers” – MS-207-2-7
- “Piqua Downtown Association Annual Christmas Window Display Award” – winners are listed from 1987-1995. Thoma and Sons won in 1990, 1993 and 1994. – MS-207-2-8
- “The Great outdoor Underwear Festival 1992 Window Decorating Contest – Most Historic” – MS-207-2-9
- “The Great Outdoor Underwear Festival Great Window Decorating Contest ‘Underwear’ Most Historic – October 12-13, 1991” – MS-207-2-10
- “The Great Outdoor Underwear Festival, Piqua, Ohio 1996 Parade Participant” – MS-207-2-11
- “The Great Outdoor Underwear Festival, ‘It’s an Underful World’ 1997 Window Decorating Contest Best Historical Theme” – MS-207-2-12
- “Window Decorating Contest 1996, The Great Outdoor Underwear Festival, Piqua, Ohio Best Historical Window Theme” – MS-207-2-13
5 – “Stilwell Jewelers, 321 N. Main St. 937-773-1625” paper merchandise bags with handles. –
BOX 401
1 – Cardboard hand fan – “’Buy It At Walker’s’ Phone M530, 321 N. Main Street, Piqua, O.,
Furniture, Rugs” – SC-5673
1 – Trivet 6” x 6” – “Chautauqua, Piqua, Ohio – 1976 Tent On The Square Theatre” – BOX 401
2 – Felt stickers in the shape of union suit underwear – red with gold lettering – “Great Outdoor
Underwear Festival, Piqua, Ohio, October 13-14, 1990” – SC-5675
7 – Refrigerator advertising magnets 2”x3½” red with gold lettering and a graphic of a union suit
– “The Great Outdoor Underwear Festival, Piqua, Ohio” – SC-5675
1 – New baby greeting card with two gold diaper pins attached to the front. The diaper pins are
connected with a 6” gold ball chain. Inside the card is “Best Wishes from Crosby the
‘Drug Man’, Piqua, Ohio” – SC-5676
1 – Oval “Revlon” box, 3 ½”h x 3”w x 2”d – Printed on the bottom “’Futurama’ Lipstick
‘Cherries A La Mode’ Gold-Tone Rhinestone Top No. 9815, $5.00 – Save with Safety,
Crosby the ‘Drug Man’, 418 N. Main St., Piqua, Ohio” – BOX 401
158 – “Crosby the ‘Drug Man’ Lucky Tickets”, 1” x 1 ¾” – Tickets good for a $25.00 free
drawing every week – the tickets are numbered and are the customers copy, the other half
of the ticket would have been placed in the drawing box at Crosby Drug Store – SC-5677
1 – “Checkers Food & Spirits” match book – Checkers, 311 N. Main St., Piqua, Ohio – SC-5678
1 – “Terry’s Cafeteria” match book – Terry’s, 105 E. Greene St., Piqua, Ohio – SC-5678
1 – Book mark, 5” x 1 ¼”, thin green plastic, white lettering – “Hilltop Sinclair Service, Bolen &
Lawn Boy Sales & Service, 1404 South St. – Piqua, Ohio” – SC-5679
1 – Button pin, oval 2 ¾ x 2, with a white paper attached by clear plastic to it, “I Haven’t Seen
Phil!!!” written on the paper – BOX 401
1 – pair of glasses in a leather case – glasses are small wire framed – embossed on the leather
case, “Geo. Haendel, Jeweler & Optician, Piqua, Ohio” – the glasses and case are c.
1888. – BOX 401
1 – Blue plastic 12” ruler with white lettering and numbers – “Good Deal Potato Chips-
Deliciously Different” – BOX 401
1 – “Piqua and Vicinity Telephone Directory, January, 1945, The Ohio Bell Telephone Co.” –
SC-5380
1 – Piqua Central High School Class of 1936, 50th Anniversary Reunion program – included with
the program are newspaper clippings with photos of the 50th, 55th and 60th class reunions.
– SC-5681
3 – Partial pads of Bridge score sheets with “Border City Savings and Loan” and the addresses of
their office locations printed on the bottom – SC-5682
1 – Piqua national Bank and Trust Co. Contract Bridge score sheet pad with a single score sheet
on it – SC-5682
1 – Brochure entitled “All But 35: From Sun Dial to Synchronous Electronics” – the brochure
was produced to commemorate 115 years and four generations of Thoma and Sons
Jewelers and is the history of the business from 1838-1953 – MS-207-2-21
1 – Invitation to the Thoma & Sons 150th Anniversary Cocktail Party on October 8, 1988 – MS-
207-2-21
1 – Ticket for Thoma Jewelers 101th Anniversary drawing held December 30, 1939 – MS-207-
2-21
6 – Tickets for the A. Thoma & Sons “93 Gifts” drawing held December 31, 1931 and
celebrating 93 years in business – MS-207-2-21
1 – “Hamilton Watch, The Railroad Timekeeper of America” advertising book and notepad
containing a 1910 calendar – on the back is a drawing of the Hamilton Watch Company
and an advertisement for “Perry M. Wolford, Jeweler, No. 110 N. Water St., Piqua, Ohio
– SC-5683
3 – Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Stamps, 12 cents each – these are the consumer’s receipt for all
taxable purchases – SC-5684
1 – Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Stamp, 6 cents – consumer’s receipt for all taxable purchases – SC-
5684
6 – “Undy Pace Car Give-away!” tickets numbered 613-618 sponsored by Paul Sherry
Chevrolet/Chrysler – the prize was a 1982 Chevy Camero, tickets were $1 each or 6 for
$5 – SC-5685
1 – Business Card – “McCartney’s Antiques, 323 N. Main St., Piqua, OH – Doug & Marj
Stilwell – SC-5686
1 – “Holiday Greetings” card and envelope – the card is a pocket card for a gift of money, “The
Piqua national Bank & Trust Co.” is printed on the flap of the envelope. – SC-5687
1 – Ink blotter – 3 3/8” x 6” advertising “The J. Ben Wilkinson Co.” insurance agency located in
421-422 Orr-Flesh Block, Piqua, Ohio – SC-5688
1 – Downtown Piqua Association, P.O. Box 737, Piqua, Ohio legal size envelope 9 ½” x 4” –
SC-5689
1 – Prepaid 2 cent letter size envelope 6 ¾” x 3 ¾” with the following return address: “A.
Thoma & Sons, Lock Drawer 737, Piqua, Ohio – MS-207-2-21
1 – Prepaid 3 cent letter size envelope 6 ¾” x 3 ¾” with the printed return address: “A. Thoma &
Sons, Lock Drawer 737, Piqua, Ohio – MS-207-2-21
1 – Measuring tape – cloth 80” long, advertising “Mature fit Richmond Closed Crotch”
underwear, a division of “The Atlas Underwear company, Piqua, Ohio, Makers of
Precision Tailored Atla-Sized Underwear” – SC-5690
1 – Copy of “Piqua Bicentennial 1807-2007, A Special Publication of the Piqua Daily Call”
1 – Copy of the program for “The Miss Miamiland Pageant, Presented by the Chamber of
Commerce, Piqua, Ohio, June 23-24, 1961, Official Preliminary of the Miss America
Pageant” – SC-5691
1 – Hand fan on a stick, printed on one side is “The Piqua National Bank & Trust Co. and The
Piqua Chautauqua” and a photo of the bank which in 1927 was located on North Main at
the northwest corner of the Public Square (currently Joe Thoma & Sons Jewelers). On
the other side of the Jan is the schedule for “Piqua Community Chautauqua”, July 28-
August 7, 1927 – SC-5692
1 – Great outdoor Underwear Festival song sheet – SC-5693
1 – Great Outdoor Underwear Festival Talent Show Entry Blank – SC-5694
3 – Great Outdoor Underwear Festival newspaper clippings – VF-1540
1 – Newspaper clipping about the Thoma Jewelry Store fire, Saturday, April 7, 1973, Piqua
Daily Call – MS-207-2-4
1 – Newspaper clipping of a Steve Baker article “Fires have changed streetscape of Piqua” in the
“Neighbors” section, Dayton Daily News, January 20, 2005 – VF-1915
1 – “The Catholic Choirmaster” magazine, July-August-September, 1927 – SC-5695
1 – “Missa pro Defunctis” (Requiem Mass) for two voices and organ by John Singenberger,
copyrighted 1876 by J. Fischer & Bro. – SC-5696
1 – Advent calendar in an envelope – printed in Western Germany c. 1950 – SC-5697
1 – “Laus Deo” collection of Sacred Music – “Suscipiat” Offertory, for soprano, alto, tenor and
bass with organ or orchestra accompaniment, copyright 1886 by J. Fischer & Bro. – SC-
5698
1 – Empty 9 x 12 manila envelope from “McLaughlin & Reilly Company, Music engravers,
printers, publishers and dealers, 45 Franklin St., Boston, 10 Mass. – addressed to Miss
Louise Thoma, 316 S. Downing, Piqua, Ohio – SC-5699
1 – Round plastic case with lid 2 ¾” dia. x 1” deep – “Miami Typewriter Rental & Sales, 1023
Broadway, Piqua, O.” – BOX 401
1 – Velvet covered ring case – “Sperry Jewelry Store, Piqua, Ohio” – 2 ¼ x 2 x 1 ½ – BOX 401
1 – Cloth covered 2 ring case – “Sperry Jewelry Store, 207 N. Main St., Piqua, Ohio” – 2 x 1 ¾ x
1 ¼ – BOX 401
1 – Plastic 2 ring case – “Love Conquers All, Sperry Jewelry Store, 207 N. Main St., Piqua,
Ohio” – 3 ¾ x 2 ½ x 1 ¾ – BOX 401
1 – Fiber and vinyl covered jewelry case – “Sperry Jewelry, 207 N. Main St., Piqua, Ohio” – 3 ¼
x 2 ¾ x 1 3/4– BOX 401
1 – Purple velvet covered jewelry case with spring latch – “Richey Jeweler & Optician, Piqua,
Ohio” – 4 x 3 x 1 ½ – BOX 401
1 – Cardboard 4” x 4” x 1” jewelry box from “Ulmans” – BOX 401
1 – Cardboard box 9 ½” x 6“ x ¾” retail sales box from “Brown’s Store, Piqua, Ohio” – BOX
401
1 – Cardboard box 4 3/8” x 3 3/8” x 1” jewelry box from “Brown’s Store, Piqua, Ohio” – BOX
401
1 – Cardboard box 2” x 2” x ½” with a ribbon hanger attached – no writing on the box – BOX
401
2 – Brass stands 2 5/8”w x 4”h x 3”d – stamped on the inside is “Made Expressly for Reedcraft,
Made in England” – BOX 401
1 – Miniature cowbell 2 ½”h x 2 “w x 1 ¼”d – partial label “1910 Opening, Thoma & Sons
Jewelers and Opticians” – BOX 401
1 – Boxed deck of playing cards – written on the back of each card “Anniversary 110 Thoma &
Sons Jewelers, Since 1838” – c. 1948 – written on top of the box “Thoma & Sons 110th
Anniversary, Piqua, Ohio, Jewelers Since 1838” – BOX 401
1 – Miniature peace pipe with nameplate, 7 ½”l x 2”h x ¾”w – written on the silver name plate:
“1838, Thoma Centennial Piqua-Sidney, Ohio 1938” – BOX 401
1 – Lead pencil “The Spot To Eat – Piqua-Ohio-Sidney” – BOX 401
1 – Glasses Case with a pair of wire frames, no lenses – “Thoma Optometrist Piqua, Ohio” on
the top – BOX 401
1 – Gruen ladies wrist watch in a case with paper instructions and guarantee – on the bottom of
the case is “Thoma Jewelers Since 1838, Sidney, Piqua, Troy” – BOX 401
1 – Elgin ladies wrist watch in a pale green velvet case – inside is written “Since 1838, Thoma
and Sons, Piqua, O., Sidney, Troy” – watch is on an adjustable cloth band – BOX 401
1 – Thoma brand ladies wrist watch with an adjustable silver link band – no case – BOX 401
1 – Orange velvet ring box containing a gold wedding band with the initials “EK” inside the
and – attached is a hand written card, “This wedding band was bought at Thoma & Sons
in 1912 for Euphemia Kiser 4/15/12” – BOX 401
1 – Jar with metal screw lid (empty) 4” dia. x 1 3/8” deep – on the lid “Thoma’s Instantaneous
Silver Polish, 4 oz., A. Thoma & Sons Jewelers Since 1838, Piqua-O.-Sidney” – BOX
401
2 – Silver spoon boxes 6 ½” x 1 ½” x 1 ½” – written on top, “A. Thoma & Sons Jewelers Piqua
O. Sidney” – BOX 401
1 – Diamond shaped refrigerator magnet – “Thoma & Sons 150th Anniversary 1838-1988, 321
N. Main, Piqua, OH, 773-1625” – BOX 401
1 – Cardboard jewelry box 3 ¼” x 2 ¼” x 1” – on top, “Thoma Jewelers Since 1838, 112 South
Main Ave., Sidney, Ohio” – BOX 401
1 – Heart shaped cardboard box with lift flap top 1 ¾” x 1 ¾” x ½” – 2 intertwined hearts on the
top – inside the flap, “Since 1838 Thoma & Sons, Piqua, Sidney, Troy” – BOX 401
1 – Small Cardboard box 1 5/8” x 1” x ½” – written on the top, “A. Thoma & Sons jewelers &
Opticians, Piqua, Ohio” – BOX 401
The following cardboard jewelry boxes are all labeled “Thoma and Sons, Piqua, Sidney”
2 – 2 5/8” x 1 ½” 7/8”
1 – Flip top 2 3/8” x 2 3/8” x ¾” with a 2001 North Carolina Quarter inside
1 – Ring box – 1 3/8” x 1 ¼” x 1 ¼”
1 – Ring box – 1 ¼” x 1” x 1 ¼”
ALL IN BOX 401
The following cardboard jewelry boxes are all labeled “Thoma Jewelers, Piqua, Ohio”
1 – 8 ¾” x 1 ¾” x 1” bracelet box
1 – 2 ¾” x 1 5/8” x 1” box with cotton
1 – 3 ¼” x 2 ¼” x 1” box
1 – 3 ¾” x 2 ¾” x 1 ¼” box with cotton and tissue paper
ALL IN BOX 401
1 – “Thoma’s, Piqua, O., Jewelers Since 1838” box with cotton – 2 ¼” x 1 ½” x ¾” cardboard box – BOX 401
1 – “Thoma and Sons, Jewelers Since 1838, Piqua” – 3 1/8” x 2 1/8” x 1” cardboard box – BOX
401
1 – “Thoma and Sons Since 1838, Piqua, Ohio – 3 1/8” x 2 ¼” x 1” cardboard box with cotton –
BOX 401
1 – “Thoma & Sons, 321 N. Main St. Piqua, Ohio” – 3 ¾” x 3 ¾” x 1” cardboard jewelry box
with cotton – BOX 401
2 – “Thoma & Sons, 321 N. Main St. Piqua, Ohio” – 5 3/8” x 3 7/8” x 1” cardboard box with
Cotton – BOX 401
1 – Brown satin jewelry case – “Thoma Jewelers” on top lower right corner – green velvet lining
on inside bottom – case is 8” x 3 3/8” x 1 ¼” – BOX 401
1 – Fiber covered with paper and with a spring lock ring case – inside top lined with satin and
bottom with velvet – written on inside top “Since 1838 Thoma and Sons, Piqua, O.,
Sidney – case is 1 5/8” x 1 ½” x 1 ¼” – BOX 401
1 – Fiber covered in velvet with spring lock ring case, inside top lined in satin and bottom in
velvet – written inside top “Established 1838, Thoma, The Hallmark Store, Piqua, Ohio”
– case is 1 ¾” x 1 5/8” x 1 5/8” – BOX 401
1 – Fiber covered in velvet ear ring box, inside top lined in satin and bottom in velvet – written
inside top “Thoma & Sons, 321 N. Main St., Piqua, Ohio” – case is 2 ¼” x 1 7/8” x 1 ½”
– BOX 401
1 – Fiber covered in purple velvet box with a spring lock – interior top is lined in white satin and
bottom in white velvet, written on the inside top is “Thoma Jewelers, Piqua, Ohio” – case
is 2 5/8” x 2 5/8” x 1 1/8”. Inside the case is an oval agate stone banded in twisted gold
with 3 loops on the top to be hung from a necklace. The agate is 1 1/8” x 7/8” x 3/8” and
is stratified cream to brown. – BOX 401
1 – Plastic and metal case covered in green fabric. Inside top is covered in satin and bottom in
the same green fabric, the bottom is slotted for two rings. There is gold trim around the
case. Inside is written “Thoma Jewelers Since 1838, Sidney, Ohio” – the case is 4 ½” x
2 ½” x 1 ¼” – BOX 401
1 – Plastic and metal ring case covered in rose-gray fabric. Inside top is covered in white satin
with the following written on it: “Thoma Jewelers Since 1838, Piqua, Ohio.” Inside
bottom is covered in purple velvet. The case is trimmed in gold and is 2 ¼” x 2 1/8” x
1 ½” – BOX 401
The following ring cases are a plastic shell with the inside top covered in satin with writing on the inside top and the inside bottom covered in velvet: [ALL IN BOX 401]
1 – Cream colored plastic case with white satin inside top and black velvet bottom –
“Since 1838 Thoma and Sons, Piqua, O., Sidney” – case is 2 1/8” x 1 5/8” x 1 ½”
1 – Lite green case with dark green inside bottom and white top – “Since 1838 Thoma
and Sons, Piqua, O., Sidney” – case is 2 ½” x 2” x 1 ½”
1 – Aqua colored case with white satin inside top and gray cloth bottom – “Since 1838
Thoma and Sons, Piqua, O., Sidney” – case is 1 7/8” x 1 ½” x 1 ¼”
1 – Gray case with white inside top and dark aqua green velvet bottom – “Thoma, Piqua,
Ohio” – case is 3 ½” 2 3/8” x 1 ¾”
1 – Cream case with gold trim, white inside top, dark green bottom – “Thoma, 321 N.
Main, Piqua, Ohio” – case is 2” x 1 ¾” x 1 ¾”
1 – Aqua green case, white inside top, gray inside bottom – “Thoma Jewelers Since
1938, Piqua, Ohio” – case is 2 3/8” x 2 1/8” x 1 ½”
1 – Charcoal colored case with white inside top, black inside bottom – “Thoma Jewelers,
Piqua, Ohio” – case is 3” x 2 ½” x 1 ½”
1 – Black necklace case with white inside top and dark gray bottom – “Thoma Jewelers,
Piqua, Ohio” – case is 3 ¾” x 3 ¼” x 1”
PHOTOGRAPHS
1 – 3 ½” x 5” color snapshot of a man and a woman in red flannel union suits with a little girl in
a stroller – SC-5674
2 – 8” x 10” black and white interior photographs of the Top Value Stamp Redemption Center,
400-404 N. Main St., Piqua, Ohio, c. 1965 – SC-5700
1 – 8 x 10 brass picture frame containing three photos: [FRAME COLLECTION]
[1] 3 ½ x 5 ½ photo postcard of Atlas Underwear Co., Piqua, Ohio – MS-154
[2] 3 ½ x 5 ½ photo postcard of flood water on East North St., Flood March 25th, 1913 – MS-154
[3] 3 ½ x 4 ½ color photo of a fire truck in front of Thoma Jewelers with ladders
extending into the building at the time of the Thoma fire, c. 1973 – MS-207-2-4
1 – Postcard 3 ½ x 5 ½ of E. Water St., Great Flood March 25th, 1913, Piqua, Ohio – MS-154
1 – Black and white 5 x 7 photo of Thoma Jewelers, 321 N. Main, Piqua, c. 1950 in a silver
frame. Also in the photo: right side is the John D. Miller Store, men’s clothering and
above it is IOOF #8 Lodge Hall, 319 N. Main. At 321 N. Main is Thoma and Sons
Jewelers, Albin L. Thoma, Optometrist and above is Janiece Sarver Dance Studio. To the
left at 323 N. Main is McCartney & Sons florist and seeds. – MS-207-2-1
1 – Black and white 8 x 10 photo of Lo Ra Hamburger Shop in a silver frame – engraved on the
frame is “Dodie & Bill, August 18, 2000 – photo in SC-5701; frame in MS-207-1-7
1 – Glass lantern slide – photograph of Col. John Johnston – printed on the slide is “Our 120th
Year, Linked with the Past–Geared for the Future, Thoma Jewelers are proud to serve
you as we were to serve Col. John Johnston” – MS-207-2-3
1 – Matted and framed in an 8x10 wood frame is a black & white photo of the interior of the
Thoma and Sons Jewelry Store in Sidney, Ohio, c. 1922 – MS-207-1-1
1 – Matted and framed in an 11 x 12 ½ wood frame is a brown tones photograph of the interior
of the Thoma and Sons Jewelry Store at 321 N. Main St., Piqua, Ohio. Photo is dated
1928 – MS-207-1-2
1 – Matted and framed in a 13 x 14 ½ wood frame is a brown tones photograph of the interior of
the A. Thoma & Sons Jewelry Store at 122 N. Main, Piqua in 1913. Albin Thoma is
behind the cash register. Albin L. Thoma and Leo Thoma are also in the photo along
with 2 women and 1 other man. – MS-207-1-3
1 – Matted and framed in a 12 x 14 wood frame is a black and white photograph of A. Thoma &
Sons Jewelers at 321 N. Main. Above Thoma’s are the offices of Dr. George R. Upton,
M.D. and L. C. McRoberts Insurance Agency representing New York Life Insurance Co.
To the right of Thoma’s at 319 N. Main is the John D. Miller men’s clothing store and
above that is the Piqua Varsity Club. To the left of Thoma’s at 323 N. main is F. H.
Phillippi and Sons leather goods store. The photo is dated c. 1928. – MS-207-1-4
1 – Matted and framed in a 12 ¾ x 14 ½ wood frame is a black and white picture of Thoma and
Sons Jewelers at 321 N. Main St. On the third floor was located the Janiece Sarver
Dance Studio. The photograph is dated c. 1957. – MS-207-1-5
1 – Matted and framed in a 9 x 12 wood grain metal frame is a sales receipt dated 30 July 1885.
Mr. J. A. Didot purchased 1 brush, 1 file with handle, 2 screw drivers and 3 emery buffs
for $1.20 from Thoma Bros., Jobbers in Jeweler’s Tools, Materials, Glasses, Etc. – No.
197 Main St., Piqua, O. – receipt in MS-207-2-14; frame is in FRAME COLLECTION
1 – Silver spoon with the initials “JH” on the handle mounted on a 5 ¼ x 10 ¾ wood grain frame
with gray mounting board. Engraved on a silver 1 x 3 plate mounted below the spoon is
“Jerusha Hilliard Hart, Purchased 1838, Thoma & Sons. – MS-207-1-6
2 – Pink cardboard boxes 7 ¼ x 3 ¾ x 1 ¾ with a purple and white cameo on the top and a
sticker on which is printed “Thoma Jewelers Since 1838 Piqua, Ohio.” Each box
contains six Holmes & Edwards inlaid silver plate salad forks for a total of 12 salad forks
in the two boxes. – BOX 401
6 – William Rogers & Son AA silver dinner spoons Pat. Apr. 14-25. – BOX 401
12 – “R&B” silver plate dinner spoons – BOX 401
4 – William Rogers Mfg. Co. grapefruit spoons marked “Original Rogers.” Also engraved on
the back of the handle of each spoon is “Thoma.” – BOX 401
1 – Silver plate dinner fork – “A. Thoma & Sons 16” engraved on the back of the handle. – BOX
401
3 – Dinner knives – silver plate – engraved on the knife blade “Thoma, 12 Dwt., Piqua, O.” –
BOX 401
1 – Silver plate dinner knife – engraved on the knife blade “Piqua Lodge No. 523, B.P.O.E. –
BOX 401
1 – Silver plate dinner knife – engraved on the knife blade “Jacob Wendel, Warranted 12 Dwt.,
Piqua, O.” – BOX 401
1 – Silver plate dinner knife – engraved on the handle is “P.C.C.” – BOX 401
1 – Wood Silverware case 12 ½ x 11 x 2 ½ lined in gray-green velvet. Inside the case are the
following pieces: [ALL IN BOX 401]
12 – Silver plate dinner spoons – engraved on the back of the handle is “Pat. ’04, A.
Thoma & Sons XII”
1 – Silver plate butter knife – engraved on the back of the handle is “A. Thoma & Sons
XII”
3 – Silver plate serving spoons – engraved on the back of the handle is “A. Thoma &
Sons XII”
6 – Silver plate dinner forks – engraved on the back of the handle is “A. Thoma & Sons
XII”
1 – Silver plate serving fork – engraved on the back of the handle is “A. Thoma & Sons
XII”
6 – Silver plate dinner knives matching the pattern of the other pieces in the case –
engraved on the bottom of the handle of five of the knives is “Holmes &
Edwards.” There is no engraving or marking on the sixth knife.
1 – Envelope “Your Birthstone, March” containing a small aquamarine stone or light blue
glass.
1 – Envelope “Your Birthstone, April” containing a small clear stone, probably crystal –
the April birthstone is diamond.
1 – Envelope which is printed for a Ruby birthstone but contains a light blue stone.
1 – Folded card on which is written “A. Thoma & Sons International Silver Plate
‘DeSancy’ 1915.” Inside the fold is “The Bride Selects” bridal registry card.
1 – “Thoma Tallies” bridge tally card.
2 – Cardboard file boxes 12 x 6 ½ x 5 ¼ containing bridal registry cards recording silverware
pattern, silver hollowware service pattern, china pattern and crystal pattern and the
number of pieces of each item purchased for the bride and groom. The card list the
names of the bride and groom and has space for “married address” and “present address.”
The boxes together contain well in excess of 1000 cards. Some of the cards probably
date back to the 1940’s. – MS-207-6-1&2
1 – Photograph of Albin Thoma c. 1890 – 3 ½ x 5 oval mounted and matted on a 6 ¾ x 10 ½
card. The photograph is by The Matthews Studio, Piqua, Ohio. – MS-207-2-2
20 – Miscellaneous sheets of financial notes written on scrap paper – also a Profit & Loss
Statement for the Year Ending December 31, 1922 and a Financial Statement (Balance
Sheet) for December 31, 1922. These were filled out for the Bureau of Business
Research, Harvard University. – MS-207-2-20
1 – Folder of “Paid Out” sheets listing Accounts Payable from September 1921- November
1922. – MS-207-2-19
1 – Folder containing Profit & Loss Statement, Balance Sheet, Work Sheet and supporting
documents for 1921. – MS-207-2-18
1 – Folder containing “Complete Financial Statement, A. Thoma & Sons to Close of Business
December 31, 1917 = Period July 1, 1907-January 1, 1918” including supporting Journal
account pages. – MS-207-2-16
1 – Folder containing [1] Financial Statement August 11, 1919, [2] Profit & Loss Statement for 2
years, 1918 and 1919 inclusive, [3] Balance Sheet at close December 31, 1919. – MS-
207-2-17
1 – Folder of Journal account ledger sheets for the years 1908-1910. – MS-207-2-15
The following are financial record books:
1 – Address book containing 377 addresses – in the back of the book is a record of
diamond ring sales from 1902-1904 and 1907-1910 – MS-207-3-1
1 – “Day Book” recording sales, repairs, etc. and customer’s names from September 19,
1879 to February 18, 1882. – MS-207-3-2
1 – “Day Book” recording sales, repairs, etc. and customer’s names from January 2, 1884
to March 1, 1889. – MS-207-3-3
1 – “Day Book” recording watch and clock sales, repairs, etc. and customer’s names from
September 13, 1886 to October 10, 1889. – MS-207-3-4
1 – “Day Book” recording watch and clock sales, repairs, etc. and customer’s names from
October 15, 1889 to February 27, 1891. – MS-207-3-5
1 – “Day Book” recording watch and clock sales, repairs, etc. and customer’s names from
February 28, 1891 to August 30, 1893 – MS-207-3-6
1 – “Day Book” recording watch and clock sales, repairs, etc. and customer’s names from
April 25, 1899 to May 14, 1901. – MS-207-3-7
1 – “Day Book” Watch Club Registry recording watch sales and customer payments on
credit from November 2, 1898 to January 23, 1915. – MS-207-3-8
1 – “Day Book” recording watch and clock sales, repairs, etc. and customer’s names from
May 15, 1901 to December 23, 1903. – MS-207-3-9
1 – “Day Book” recording watch and clock sales, repairs, etc. and customer’s names from
December 24, 1903 to September 19, 1906. – MS-207-3-10
1 – Accounts Receivable and Sales Journal by customer name and Purchases and
Accounts Payable Journal by vendor name. Dates in the book range from 1894 to
1909. – MS-207-4-1
1 – “Day Book” recording watch and clock sales, repairs, etc. and customer’s names from
September 20, 1906 to June 8, 1909. – MS-207-4-2
1 – Cash Receipts Book – Page 1 records the sale of the business carried on by Albin
Thoma as A. Thoma and Son to the new firm A. Thoma and Sons for
$13,750.00. The remainder of the book records cash sales, payments for repairs
and payments on account by customers. Dates in this book range from July 1,
1907 (date of organization of the new company) to July 31, 1913. – MS-207-4-3
1 – Cash Payments Journal (front) and Cash Receipts Journal (back). The journal lists
individuals and companies to whom the payments were made and the individuals
from whom payments were received. Dates in the book range from 1907 to
1918. – MS-207-4-4
1 – “Daily Statement of Business as shown by National Cash Register.” This book is a
daily listing of the following: Cash in drawer; Cash Sales; Credit Sales; Total
Business; Received on Account; Paid Out; Outstanding Accounts; Cash Balance;
Special Counter Record. Dates in this book are from March 18, 1909 to
December 31, 1912. – MS-207-4-5
1 – “Day Book” recording daily sales and receipts by the following departments:
Jewelry; Optical; Rings; Spoons; Repair; Silverware; Sundries; Diamonds. The
dates in the book range from July 1, 1909 to October 31, 1910. In the back of the
book Diamond Sales are recorded by Customer name from November 4, 1910 to
December 24, 1931. – MS-207-4-6
1 – “Day Book” recording watch and clock sales, repairs, etc. and customer’s names from
February 27, 1912 to July 29, 1916. – MS-207-4-7
1 – “Day Book” recording watch and clock sales, repairs, etc. and customer’s names from
July 29, 1916 to March 12, 1920. – MS-207-5-1
1 – “Radio Sales and Service” book arranged alphabetically by customer for the years
1948 and 1949. – MS-207-5-2
1 – “Day Book” recording watch and clock sales and repairs by customer name and date
for Thoma Bros. Jewelers And Optometrists, Bradford, Ohio. Dates in the
book are from April 15, 1912 to October 8, 1914. – MS-207-5-3
1 – “Day Book” recording watch and clock sales and repairs by customer name and date
for Thoma Bros. Jewelers And Optometrists, Bradford, Ohio. Dates in the
book are from October 8, 1914 to September 13, 1917. – MS-207-5-4
1 – Financial Record of receipts and expenditures of the St. Boniface School Building
Fund. Dates in the book are from 1955 to 1958. – MS-207-5-5