Vintage Bailey Banks & Biddle Jewelry Buying Guide

If you are looking for vintage Bailey, Banks & Biddle jewelry, then you have come to the right place. Here you will learn about the history, materials, jewelry marks, our favorite collectible pieces and where to buy them.

There are very few jewelry retailers that can match the reputation of Bailey, Banks & Biddle. Its illustrious past is intertwined with American history.

Brief History of Bailey, Banks & Biddle Jewelry

1832 - The company launches under the name Bailey & Kitchen at 136 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, making it the oldest jeweler in America. The two original partners were Joseph Trowbridge Bailey (1806 – 1854) and Andrew B. Kitchen (died 1850).

Bailey was a highly talented jeweler, diamond dealer and silversmith, and his designs soon won over an adoring high society clientele. The company began to expand its product offering to include not only luxury diamond and gemstone jewelry, but watches, sterling flatware, dinnerware, decorative tableware and clocks. He was so highly regarded by his clients that several Southern landowners entrusted him with money to give to their sons and daughters who were attending expensive private schools in Philadelphia. This custom continued even after Bailey’s death and up until the Civil War.

1846 - Bailey & Kitchen was dissolved in November 1846. Eli Westcott Bailey, the brother of J.T. Bailey, Jeremiah Robbins and James Gallagher formed a new partnership under the name of Bailey & Company staying at the same location until 1859 when they constructed a new building at 819 Chestnut Street.

1854 - Joseph Trowbridge Bailey, II becomes the company president after his father’s death, and was admitted into partnership in 1856.

1866 – E.W. Bailey retires.

1869 - The company moves to Chestnut at Twelfth Street.

1878 -A new partnership is formed between J.T. Bailey II, George Banks and Samuel Biddle. The name becomes Bailey, Banks & Biddle. In that year, the firm moved to 1218 Chestnut where it remained until 1953 when it established its headquarters on the corner of Chestnut and Sixteenth Streets.

1880 -1890 – The company is so successful that its only serious competitor at this time is their rival for the society market, Tiffany & Co.

1894 – The Bailey, Banks & Biddle Company is incorporated. J.T. Bailey, II is President; Charles Weaver Bailey, son of J.T. Bailey II becomes Vice-President and Treasurer.

1903 to 1904 A new, technologically more advanced showroom and eight-story factory is built at 1218-20-22 Chestnut Street.

1918 - C.W. Bailey is the last in the direct line of Baileys to head the firm. He becomes president after his father’s death.

The store flourishes and continues to earn its reputation as the most extensive and exclusive jewelry and silversmith business in Philadelphia. Throughout the 20^th century, the company continues to expand to more than 100 stores in 31 states.

1962 – Purchase by Zale Corporation. Finlay purchased the then 70-store chain for $200 million, before liquidating it in 2009. It was rescued by a group of investors shortly thereafter. While the company today may not be what it once was, it has a rich and glorious heritage that make their products highly collectible.

Major Accomplishments, Medals & Insignias

Bailey, Banks & Biddle was the first jeweler to introduce the British Sterling Silver Standard in America. American silversmiths then worked in coin silver, which was 90% purity. Bailey raised the standard to 92.5% to compete with the finest imports from around the world. From 1852- 1862 the company made its own silver, but after 1870 they re-sold silver from other manufacturers. The company is renowned world-wide for its sterling silver flatware, decorative tableware and serving ware.

Bailey, Banks & Biddle’s buyers sourced unique collections from around the world, including fine Sèvres porcelain, rare gemstones and diamonds, statuary, paintings and unusual curios. Additionally, their service to the aristocratic elite extended to crafting luxury wedding invitations, dinner menus and ball programs.

By the late 19^th century, Bailey, Banks & Biddle had also developed an insignia department which designed and manufactured medals, ribbons and honor awards for the U.S. Government and military and naval academies. For nearly a century, they produced the Congressional Medal of Honor, the first 40,000 Purple Hearts awarded, and class rings for West Point and Annapolis. Among the medals designed or produced by the firm's corps of artists, die cutters, engravers and illuminators were the Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Cross and Distinguished Flying Cross.

The current version of the Great Seal of the United States was designed by Bailey Banks & Biddle in 1904. It was originally created by Tiffany & Co. in 1885 but was inaccurate, blurry and badly needed a facelift. Bailey Banks & Biddle was selected to create the new bald eagle seal, which is still in use to this day. You will see it proudly emblazoned above every embassy around the world and on thousands of official documents. The company’s stationery department produced engraved testimonials, invitations, including those for presidential inaugurations. Bailey, Banks & Biddle also had the distinction of designing the mortuary medal for President Lincoln’s casket.

From sitting Presidents to the Mercury Seven Astronauts, the well-heeled and the famous – all have been customers of Bailey, Banks & Biddle. President Lincoln, Mrs. Woodrow Wilson, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan and many other famous people have patronized Bailey, Banks & Biddle over the decades, and for more than a century the company remained the jeweler to America’s greatest families.

Bailey, Banks & Biddle’s jewelry has always been respected for its refinement and well-crafted elegance, and they are known for their high-quality diamonds, engagement and wedding rings, brooches, scarf pins, bracelets, earrings, buttons, pearl fasteners and collar buttons, as well as their sterling silver ware, medals and other military awards.

Bailey, Banks & Biddle Jewelry Marks

• B.B.B.
• BB&B
• BAILEY, BANKS & BIDDLE – PHILADELPHIA

See examples of these marks here. 

Materials Used

• Diamond
• Sterling Silver
• White Gold
• Yellow Gold
• Platinum
• Sapphire
• Emerald
• Rose Gold
• Sapphire
• Ruby
• Moonstone
• Pearl

Collectible Bailey, Banks & Biddle Jewelry

• Anything from the Art Deco Period (1920s -1930s)
• Diamond & gemstone cocktail rings
• Engagement & wedding diamond jewelry
• Brooches
• Scarf pins
• Bracelets
• Earrings
• Buttons
• Pearl fasteners
• Collar buttons
• Pearl necklaces

These are particularly collectible, depending on their quality and condition, especially if they have been authenticated by a jewelry expert as vintage (approximately 40 -50 years old or more) or antique (at least 100 years old).

Where to Buy Bailey, Banks & Biddle Jewelry

We have seen attractive, affordable and collectible examples of Bailey, Banks & Biddle pieces on Etsy, 1stDibs, Poshmark, Tradesy, Ruby Lane, and eBay.

Etsy currently lists several pieces of Bailey, Banks & Biddle jewelry for sale on their site including the following that we like. These include:

• Antique Art Deco 18K Rose Gold Old Mine Cut Diamond & Sapphire Earrings
• Victorian Old European Cut Diamond Ring
• 1907 6ht Field Artillery Battalion Pendant

There are also pieces available on a number of estate jewelry sites such as Lang Antiques and Wilson’s Estate Jewelry. Christie’s and Sotheby’s have also auctioned several pieces in past years. Sotheby’s recently sold a late 19^th century amethyst and diamond brooch to a Hong Kong purchaser for approximately $8,826 US.

Although Bailey, Banks & Biddle, as a multi--store retailer, is no longer around in its original form, their quality and design lives on in numerous pieces still for sale on the internet and elsewhere. Bailey, Banks & Biddle jewelry is readily available, affordable, and can be considered as a modest investment if carefully appraised first by a jewelry professional.

Antique and vintage pieces have become increasingly popular in recent years, and both are very collectible right now. Art Deco continues to fetch high prices at auction and in estate sales. You will see many excellent Art Deco and later vintage jewelry in private collections, on the fashion runways of the world, and worn by many red-carpet celebrities.

Here are our recommendations for buying vintage jewelry:

• Research the provenance and condition of the piece before buying.
• Check the hallmark and designer mark for authenticity.
• Check the seller’s reputation and BBB rating, if available.

Antique and vintage jewelry bestows one-of-a kind style to its wearer. Your personal taste may veer towards the modern, geometric look of Art Deco, or the delicate refinement of Art Nouveau, or the romantic looks of Victorian pieces – or maybe the jeweled garlands, wreaths and ribbons of the Edwardian era.

Vintage jewelry has enduring credibility, value and quality because much of it was hand-made by craftsmen who took special pride in their work. It will last many lifetimes if properly cared for. Older Georgian and Victorian pieces are completely handmade, and many vintage pieces are hand-finished.

Finally, we recommend buying what appeals to you. You will be wearing it, so it should speak to you.

Bailey, Banks & Biddle offers you some lovely options.