© Frank H. Jump
J. Wiss & Sons Company was founded in 1848 by Jacob Wiss, a thirty-one-year-old immigrant from Switzerland who was an experienced cutler and gunsmith. The company, headed by Wiss and his descendants in Newark, N.J., emphasized high quality in its products which became known world-wide and sold to the U.S. Government in the Civil War and the two World Wars. In 1914, Wiss acquired the manufacturing facilities of a competitor and became the largest producer of fine scissors and shears in the world. Following World War I, Wiss weathered a severe depression in scissors markets, partly caused by dumping of European products. Increased U.S. help remedied this situation. Recently, the Wiss Company became a subsidiary of Cooper Industries. ¹
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Roth, Race & Newark – A Marxist look at Newark’s writer Philip Roth (Portnoy’s Complaint)
Newark was a thriving city right up to the end of the 1920’s. Even with the brewing industry shifted into the underground economy, Newark’s factory life was robust, as Newark historian John Cunningham reported:
“The city had 1,668 factories in 1925, with an annual payroll of $90 million and Newark continued to boast that no other town manufactured a greater variety of products. . . . Most of the factories were small, employing fewer than thirty. But there were giants among them: Clark Thread Company, Westighouse, Weston, Balbach’s, Baker & Company, J. Wiss, Ward Baking Company, Tiffany, Pittsburgh Plate glass (making paint in Newark), Benjamin Moore, Murphy Varnish, Mennen, General Electric, Fischer Baking Company, Conmar and Johnson & Murphy, shoemakers.
– Larry Schwartz
Visit the J. Wiss & Sons Co. Website!
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The J. Wiss jewelry store in downtown Newark was the go to store for our Christmas shopping trips in the 1950s. I remember you first entered a locked caged area after opening the front door, so the staff could observe if you were a legitimate shoppper or somehow looked threatening. If you were approved for entry, a buzzer was pressed and the door swung open to a fabulous display of jewelry and other fine gifts. For kids like me short on money, there was always the $1 grab bag where you reached in and pulled out a gift box of costume jewelry.
Our shopping trips to Newark ended in 1960 when the Menlo Park mall on Rt. 1 near Edison, NJ opened. It was one of the first malls in the U.S. and doomed the downtown shopping centers of Newark and Elizabeth.
I worked in the gift department.around 1950 51.
I have the draft registration of a great great uncle that states he was employed with Wiss & Sons aat 665 Broad St, Newark he was 54 yrs at date of regis for WW2.
Do you have any employee information that far back? His name was Thomas J. Nikodem
Thanks, Nancy
Hi Nancy. Your great – great uncle was married to my grandmother Alice Nikodem Carew they live in Newark new jersey I am Alice granddaughter Barbara. I wound like to hear from you.
Members of the Wiss Family occasionally check in on this page. Best of luck.
I first learned to cut with scissors from this store in Newark,,What was the name of the resturant or soda fountain that was very fancy to a four year old either next door or near the store,,,that is where my grandmother opened the bag and I got my first big girl scissors,,,,
Heather
Where can I send a Wiss pinking shears for sharpening?
Try this place:
http://www.thecitycook.com/shopping/data/000124
I recently aquired a pair of old 9 3/4″ Wiss scissors.
The handles are 18k gold. The blades appear to be chrome plated. The number 2 3 appears on each blade near the rivet. The word “Wiss” with no other markings is clear on one blade. There are several numbers in one of the handles where it attaches to the blade. I have not been able to get any information about them, any help would be deeply appreciated.
Thank you
Without a picture it is impossible to know much of anything. Gold handles tend to be on styles like paper shears, as they would end up being displayed on a desk. You can check the various catalogs that I have on my website.
Born and raised in Newark & at Wiss for shopping. I have an old Wiss watch in box that looks like gold. Did you guys make watches with gold ever? Just curious.
In answer to Heather…
the name of the candy store/restaurant/
soda fountain near Wiss was Schrafft’s.
I used to go there with my mother frequently.
They had the best hot fudge sundaes with
coffee ice cream!!
I’m a decendent of J Wiss and I have a factory rendering, the “History of Scissors” book, and some old pairs of scissors. Oh, and a tiny-winey trust fund that partly paid for my college education, and then petered out! ha Thank you Wiss Scissors! 😛
I had NO idea that so much was on the internet about all of this! I’d love to learn more about my great grandfather Wiss, who was the last person to run the company I believe.
I too am a descendant. Your message did not identify you. Please what is your name.
The last person to run the company (in the 1970s, prior to the 1976 sale to Cooper) was not a Wiss. The last Wiss to run the company was Richard.
If you identify yourself, I can provide you with a DVD of Wiss family films from about 1926-1932.
Hello
I to im a member of the Wiss family and currently writing a college paper on the history Wiss, mainly focusing on Jacob Wiss entrepreneurship. Feel free to contact me would love to hear from any and all Wiss relatives that read this.
Hey M- Are you in touch with Don Wiss?
I was looking for (replacement) screw and nut that holds my Wiss (Steel Forged) No 20 Scissors together.
I have a set of six coin silver teaspoons wrapped in a silver protector that says J Wiss & Sons, Newark, NJ The Hallmark Store. Is this the same place?
i have a pair of pinking shears from my grt grandmom . I was wondering where to send them
to get sharpened
I have 12 sterling silver teaspoons which belonged to my Grandmother (I am now 66), which have “J. Wiss & Sons” engraved on the back along with the word “sterling”. I think she was given them when married just after the turn of the century when she lived in Newark, N.J. I found the current pattern name is “Luxenbourg by Gorham”. Is there any information concerning sterling flatware and J. Wiss? Thank you
There is much on the web site. Just type donwiss into yahoo or google. do have any plans for the spoons?
I just purchased some Wiss pocket scissors on line and tried to find out more about the Wiss company. It’s now part of Cooper Hand Tools? From what I can tell, CHT only sells industrial type snips. Are the pocket scissors and other scissors for home use no longer produced? I’m just curious.
Cooper has not only drastically reduced the product line, they have stripped out the quality. And only the actual tools (e.g. tin snips) are made in the USA. You can see the full product line here:
http://www.cooperhandtools.com/customer_service/PDF/Wiss%20550615.pdf
I have 6 forks & 2 knives, which say J. Wiss & sons & the number 12. I don’t know the pattern name, but it is made of scrolls or curls, all around the handle. Does anyone know this pattern?
J Wiss only retailed silver. They never made it. Much of what they sold was made by Gorham. If you go through some catalog of their patterns, I bet you will find it.
My mother was Catheryn Thompson who worked at Wiss in the late 50’s and early 60’s into college and part time I think when she was a teacher. When she got married, her sterling, china and crystal came from Wiss. I am looking for the crystal. It was a totally 1960’s pattern that was very thin with an iridescence to it. I have looked but been unable to determine the manufacturer or pattern. Are there any catalogs from that era around? Or can anyone help to locate? Thanks
Hi Christopher. I gather you mean your mother worked at the jewelry store and not the scissors factory. At the time your mother worked there they were two completely independent companies. I’m not aware that the jewelry store had any catalogs. If they did I’ve never seen any. What I would do is to put a picture someplace on the web and then e-mail some crystal sellers and ask in forums. Usenet has been dying recently due to ISPs dropping it and spammers taking over. But if you have access (or want to use Google Groups) you could ask in misc.consumers. Good Luck, Don.
i have a pair of your wiss hedge shears 6 1/2 from 1929. i would like to know how much they would cost now. thank you very much for your tmie.
On eBay you could get $10-25 for it. Used shears and scissors do not sell for much. Few people collect them and there are lots out there, as they last forever if kept away from water.
I have a straight razor that says “WISS FAVORITE.” It’s in really good condition. It actually looks unused. I dont have the case though. I was wondering if you may know the value of this.
Where can I get Skalloping Shears resharpened? They are
original J. Wiss Pinking shears that my Mother had.
Thank you, S.S. Perry
Could someone tell me where I can find the value for Wiss shears that I own. Purchased in early 70’s. Never used Wiss 4N shears and a very good condition used 4N shear.
THANK YOU,
GARY
i have circulated envelopes to this company from the 1930’s im looking to sell also found pictures with some envelopes if any one is interested contact me at royalswagger82@yahoo.com 10 dollars a envelope
TENGO EN MI PODER UNA HOJILLA IDENTICA A LA QUE USTEDES PRENETAN EN LA FOTO ERA DEL ABUELO DE MI EX ESPOSA HUNGARO Y PARTICIPO EN LA SEGUNDA GUERRA MUNDIAL
QUISIERA SABER EL VALOR DE DICHA HOJILLA Y TIENE UNA INSCRIPCION ROTULADA EN LA CAJA QUE DICE ( HYIKEGYHAZA BETHLEN USCA 4) HORVATH LAJOS, REALMENTE NO SOY COLECCIONISTA PERO SI HAY ALGUNA PERSONA INTERESADA EN OBTENERLA COMUNICATE POR MEDIO DE MI CORREO
I have recently acquired some Lenox china expressly for Wiss Sons, Inc. Newark, NJ. I have yet to identify the pattern but on the back of each plate it is stamped in gold 7/5.30 It has a gold band on an ivory background. Does anyone have any information on this. I grew up near the Elizabeth/Newark borderline and am interested in the china’s origin.
Thanks!
Victoria
Victoria, I also inherited Lenox porcelain made expressly for Wiss and Sons, and am trying to find out more about it. It has a raised 1/2″-wide gold band with a floral relief design, and a celadon green band. The number on the piece I looked at is 2044/C-337-G. I wrote Lenox, but I’ll bet I never hear from them, since it was the customer service email address.
If you find anything out, let me know, and I will do likewise. Our china has to predate 1954, because that was when the jewelry store closed. If I know my grandmother’s history, she purchased my set in the late 1930’s or early 1940’s.
Vixtoria,
after a thorough internet research, this is what I have been able to come up with. Lenox often made patterns expressly for individual department and jewelry stores in the first half of the 20th century – you probably know that the Wiss Sons jewelry store, first on Broad St, and then on West Park in Newark, was the largest jewelry firm in NJ.
The records of the Lenox company (which was also a NJ firm) are now at Rutgers University, and they were cataloged in 2008. My grandmother’s pattern went into production in 1928, which happens to be the year after she got married. Your pattern number, 7/5.30, is a bit harder to pin down just looking at the catalogue entries, but it appears to be older – possibly dating to the first years of the 20th century soon after the jewelry store opened. However, without looking at the actual records, I cannot claim anything.
I have two friends who teach at Rutgers, and am planning to ask if one of them would be willing to spend an afternoon looking into this. I cannot, as I am currently living in Istanbul, Turkey. But if they are unable to do the archival work, I will certainly be going to Rutgers in the next year to do it myself. My sons still live in Princeton.
Hope this is of interest to you,
Deb Walberg
Deb,
That would be wonderful if someone were to look into it further. I am so curious about this china. And it is so pretty and in such good shape! Let me know if you are able to find out anything more.
Victoria
I, too, have a collection of Wiss Brothers china inherited from my husband’s grandmother. It is labeled 10 1/2 / P67-A. I’m in Maryland, so if I can get up to Jersey I’ll check it out. If someone else gets there first, please include me in the search.
My husband purchased 2 pr of Wiss 410B scissors at auction yesterday. They have a ball on the end of one blade. Does anyone have any information on them? I have searched but have not been able to even find a photo.
Thanks!
Judy
i inherited from my father’s family 5 mother of pearl handle with sterling in the middle what looks to be butter knives wiht j wiss newark nj on the blades. are these from your firm? my father’s (mulligan) and his mother (mcardle) were from harrison and my cousin still has the mulligan funeral home in harrison.
Don,
You mentioned a DVD of Wiss family films. My mother is Cornelia Wiss Degerberg, Jerome’s daughter. Would it be possible for me to get a copy? I would be happy to pay postage or other costs.
I would also be interested in a DVD of Wiss family films. I have been researching more and more since my grandpa(Frederick Wiss) has past. I also happen to have a bible that appears to be the original family bible of Jacob Wiss. The earliest date in this bible is 1817 and that date is next to the name Jacob Wiss.
Don,
I am Katherine Degerberg’s sister, Cornelia’s daughter. Were you able to send her a copy of the Wiss family films? Which part of the Wiss family is it,
i have a gold pocket watch that says j wiss co newark nj that i cant find any
information on. it has what appears to be a ceramic face with roman numerals.
it also has also has a small 60 second dial as well. it has a serial number. if anyone
wants to respond i would be thankful………………thanks ed
Would you be of any relation to don hackett my grandfathers caretaker and friend
My ancestor James Stuart worked at the shear factory until his death in 1900. His sister Sarah worked in the Jewelry store/factory in 1870 as did his future wife Anna Frederick. Anna and James married in January 1870 and lived in the 10th ward. If the Wiss family has any employee records relating to him I would really love to hear. Thanks Jeanne Stuart McDonald
Hi,
I will post anything I find out. All others please do the same!!
My father and my grandfather worked at the Wiss factory in Newark. My father worked there for 50 years – I don’t know how long my grandfather was there. I also worked there for a short time right after high school in the office. My dad always said it was a great company to work for.
Hi, we have a very old pair of hedge trimmers, but we do not know a lot about. They are wiss newmark nj, but it has patent pending number 8. We know that much, but you do have a picture on your website. so, we were wondering if it is possible you could tell us something about it.
thanks
-Greg
Thank you so much for all the info on J Wiss and Sons. I found a pair of shears and wanted to know more about them.
I have a straight razor that says “WISS FAVORITE.” It’s in really good condition. It actually looks unused. I dont have the case though. I was wondering if anyone may know the value of this.
I have a sterling silver ice bucket I bought at the Wiss jewelry store for my mother in 1957. Does anyone collect these objects.
Just crossed my mind, Will anyone be talking about what they bought at Walmart in fifty years. What wonderful years in Newark back then.
I have acquired a gorgeous set of Lenox china that was made expressively for Wiss Jewelers possibly back in 1906. The pieces are monogrammed in gold with the initials GKT. Lenox no longer has records of who this set could have belonged to. Any information you might have would be greatly appreciated!
Hey Kay- I believe some people are following this posting. I personally have no access to information or resources on this. Best of luck, Frank
What was the name of the art store across from Bambergers?
I have a large cameo in its original Wiss box. It appears to be very old. It is a brooch with a loop to put a chain through. It is placed on a gold colored back.
Nice!
I have a Wiss cameo in its original box. Is very old. The cameo is in good shape although the box is not. Any information would be appreciated.