David Webb Files Chapter 11
Another iconic jewelry company has filed Chapter 11. It has been announced that David Webb filed Chapter 11 yesterday reporting assets of $10.3 million and liabilities of $6.9 million. Diamonds,net had a look at the documents which show that while gross sales for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, were $13.2 million, total sales for the coming fiscal year ending June 30, 2009 were not expected to top $5 million. The company estimated operating expenses for the next 30 days at $377,927 with expected sales of approximately $400,000. The "Silberstein Family Partnership" is listed as sole owner of the company. The company has been in business over sixty years and has provided jewelry for some of the most legendary jewel connoisseurs in the world including Elizabeth Taylor, The Duchess of Windsor and Princess Grace. David Webb pieces which often feature animals and naturalistic themes remain some of the most collectible pieces in the jewelry world.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
John Gruberth Jun 25th 2009 10:34AM
Since David's death in 1975 the Silbersteins have mismanaged and compromised the quality of his creations by changing the models for the sole reason of expediency therefore producing an inferior product that in no way represents "David Webb". This is what caused fifteen of the top model makers, the two formen that helped David build "David Webb" and myself to leave and start a new business (Andrew Clunn, Ltd) rather than stay and watch as "America's Jeweler's" vision be metamorphosed into nothing more than "craft".
True believers of David Webb were disgusted by Stanley Silberstein's comment on his web site asking that "all remember David Webb, the company--not David Webb the man". It was "the man" and his gift that should be David Webb, Inc, not the company that has raped his creations and contorted them into grotesque pieces of metal struggling to be recognized. Even worse, there was Nina Silberstein nagging all who can still tolerate hearing what she has to say, that is was herself who helped David start "David Webb,Inc" when it was really a dear and gentle lady, Antoinette Quilleret. Ms Quilleret was the co-founder and president of "David Webb, Inc" in 1945 as posted in the New York Times obituraries -Nov. 22, 1989. Ms Quilleret retired in 1963. Nina was simply David Webb's bookkeeper in the 1960's.
Today David must be smiling,
J. Gruberth
T. Wager Jun 27th 2009 7:11PM
Wonderfull!!!!! Finally the truth comes out. We have waited a long for someone to step up and tell the true story of the regrettable goings on at David Webb, Inc. There are many of us out here in the real world that remember David Webb--THE MAN--and what a wonderful insightful man he was. What the Silbersteins have done to David's beloved business and dream is shameful. Just how the Silberstein's actually acquired David Webb, Inc has not been forgotten by us. Shame on them!!!
J. Gruberth is so right--Today, David must be smiling!!!!!!
T. Wager
angiekratzer Sep 1st 2009 9:32PM
I have been working on David Webb's biography for ten years, and I am very interested in interviewing those who have been on the inside. I have been able to interview family members and a handful of business associates and designers. Mr. Gruberth, I am particularly interested in speaking with you.
John Gruberth Jun 25th 2009 5:02PM
David had a "gift" for jewelry design. He captured his creations from nature, his imagination, mythology and/or his own life experiences. He knew what he wanted the customer to "see" in his jewelry and was relentless in his demands to achieve that end. He surrounded himself with people who shared his insight and who had the skill to complete his dreams. . Only about three of these precious original craftsmen have survived David today and remain. In the 1960's David Webb, Inc had at least eight times that number of skilled employees at each specialty position working out of two shops in New York City alone. Now, simply put, how can such a small number of David Webb's hand picked artists be expected to keep up the quality of work that it took so many to bring to life? One must keep in mind that there is no "leader" left to give guidance as to how "David would have wanted it done". Most of David's confidants left rather than tolerate the Silberstein's business ways.
For example: the final word on all authentication's is by a man who was hired, as a line jeweler in the 1980's. Now when an estate dealer goes into David Webb, Inc to get an older piece of Webb jewelry(before 1980) authenticated, the chances of that happening are nil. Then that same dealer has to go through the tedious task of researching for the original receipt, and taking it back to David Webb, Inc.. After all of that time, David Webb, Inc., will say they have to do "research" for an hour or two, then finally will authenticate the same piece that they themselves testified was a "knock off". To give their authenticator a bit of a break, how could he ever recognize the craftsmanship of the old masters when he, himself was not was not hired before 1980 therefore has never been exposed to the grand old pieces? Why David Webb, Inc., doesn't hire someone to authenticate pieces who is familiar with the earlier pieces is beyond me , many other estate dealers and the industry as a whole.
J. Gruberth
T. Wager Jun 27th 2009 8:01AM
The pieces are starting to fit together. You must be the same John Gruberth that Stanley Silberstein once told me was quite dead! I e-mailed Webb, Inc once and asked if they had a specific brooch that I was looking for. When Stanley e-mailed back stating that he didn't know whether Webb, Inc ever had the brooch I was looking for, I asked him if he knew where I could locate John Gruberth. I had heard through the industry that if I wanted to know anything about Webb jewelry the person to talk to was John Gruberth. Stanley told me that John Gruberth was dead. I explained to him that I thought perhaps I was looking for John Gruberth, JR. Stanley's response was that John GruberthJr was dead too. It's a delight to know that you are still exchanging air! I have heard that your father, along with Andrew Clunn and David Webb himself of course were the foundation men of David Webb, Inc. I would love to talk to you sometime about authenticating several pieces of Webb jewelry that my family has collected over the years. You seem to be regarded as the real authority of Webb jewelry among the industry. Your name was mentioned more times than not whenever I asked who I should speak to. I guess David Webb, Inc let it all go to hell, didn't they?? What a shame. Why don't you offer your knowledge to Webb, Inc for authenticating Webb pieces??? It might be something that might help them right now. It looks like they need you.
bmosskeller Jun 26th 2009 5:18PM
B.Moss,
It is with great sadness I read of this news. The Silberstein Family has kept the David Webb name going for decadres past his death. Nina Silberstein is a brilliant business woman who led a very successsful company along with her children Sharon and Stanley. This small company struggled to preserve the beautiful natutralistic enamel designs and others orginating from their onsite factory in NYC. So many other jewlers copied and replicated their designs without the level of old world craftmanship and quality by engaging in cost cutting offshore factories. Post 911, it must have been increasingly diffiuclt to ride the economic downturn which continues today to erode small family businesses throughout our country. But the the large corporations who have trashed our finance and banking systems sustain with tax payer monies. Shame on all of us not supporting the largest business base in theis county, the small independents.
T. Wager Jun 27th 2009 7:55AM
Please note the complete absence of any mention of DAVID WEBB -the man, in the above comments. Sad, isn't it?? As far as Nina Silberstein being a "brilliant businesswoman"? Then it must be her "brilliance" that has brought David Webb, Inc to where it is today...
I have always been taught that any good dead--or ill begotten dead will be returned ten fold. This, too has come to pass.
T. Wager Jun 27th 2009 8:31AM
Sorry. I need to correct my mistake in typing--
My wording should read: "I have always been taught that any good DEED, or ill begotten DEED will be returned ten fold. This, too has come to pass."
GREEN RING FINGER Jun 27th 2009 3:19PM
this article is for classical music announcers who speak as IF THEY WERE HOLDING BACK GAS.this "snag" corner is for bottom feeders and trailer dwellers.save pieces such as this for the country club group.
T. Wager Jun 27th 2009 3:35PM
?Huh?
kb Jun 27th 2009 4:24PM
John Gruberth and T. Wager: Thanks for your comments. I like it when facts are presented that put a story in a whole new perspective. It goes to prove the old adage "things are not always as they seem." Very interesting about the Silbersteins. Cheers!
Kevin Jun 27th 2009 10:33PM
I've never heard of this company- how could it be news worthy? The only David Webb I ever knew was a urologist fom Texas.
Ron Hardyman Jun 27th 2009 6:43PM
This is the first time I learned more substantial information from comments than the actual article. I was always a fan, but only discovered the work in the mid-80's, at which point, from what I can gather, things were already sideways. At that point, there was no presence in Beverly Hills and I think the jewelry was only available at Amen Wardy in Newport Beach, so I rarely had the chance to see anything outside of an advert.
It's always a shame when a conglomerate takes over a jeweler hoping to "brand it". I hear the same thing happened to Asprey. Not that I'm in any danger of shopping there anytime soon. :)
Thanks again for the info. I can think of more than a few people who would be interested in this.
RED Jun 28th 2009 9:52AM
I now know why I was not able to see any quality in the pieces I looked at in the late 90's I guess it is better the compcny goes, if all they could make was low level pieces
was in Palm Beach on worth ave.
T. Wager Jun 29th 2009 8:45AM
If dreams could come true, I would have David Webb, Inc survive this crisis. I do believe that John Gruberth's knowledge of David Webb and his creations would be essential if that dream is to be realized. I have done my research and believe that he could and would try to turn this business around and bring it back to the status that it once earned. What do the Silbersteins have to lose by asking him for his help? It might be just a simple as asking...
--couldn't hurt.
Barry Jun 27th 2009 8:07PM
The comments from the people involved in the history of this company are very interesting to me. Its the first time that I can recall that this has happened on AOL. Usually its the fringe throwing obscenities , racial slurrs, religious diatribe, or political bashing. I had no idea that there were actually quality people, besides me, using AOL.
RED Jun 29th 2009 9:31AM
The Silersteins will have to much Pride
John Gruberth could buy the pieces ,name is important
any way I hope for the best
Ray
T. Wager Jun 29th 2009 9:53AM
Isn't it said that "pride goeth before the fall"? I still think that the Silbersteins should step up and do whatever it is to save David Webb's dream. They brought it to where it is today. They need to FIX IT!! It's worth a try, isn't it???
Buying all of the jewelry would only be a "patch". To go back to the glory days will take vision as well as an acute knowledge of the "life" within the old Webb pieces. That knowledge is there for the Silberstein's asking. I still feel that the business can be resurrected with Gruberth's knowledge put into play. A hope? Probably, but why not????
Tom Gillman Jul 31st 2009 5:22AM
Mr. or Ms. Wagner: It seems that you have missed the point completely about the Silberstein's. These shameless people have no interest whatsoever in "restoring" David Webb to what it was--otherwise they wouldn't have trampled upon the quality footsteps David Webb (the person) carefully etched during his business history. They are solely interested in re-tooling the company in their own much inferior image, and that precludes requesting assistance from Mr. Gruberth or any other key member of the then-David Webb company. As it is, they don't believe they've torpedoed the David Webb reputation as they have, and even if they were to finally acknowledge a step backwards (more to the truth, it's been many fights downward), they'd NEVER "stoop" to associate with the likes of Mr. Gruberth. They'd rather do without, which is their loss and ours--but certainly it's not his.
I will give the Silberstein's this: their task was and is monumental. There are very few instances where present and future genius has been able to segue a successful design firm to continuing success after the passing of the founding genius. One such success story easily comes to mind: Chanel, the singular Coco and a man equal to the task if not to Madame Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld.
Finally, if anyone cares to view a gorgeous example of authentic former David Webb, please do a search on Ebay for a 3 piece set (Necklace, Earring and Bangle) of Black Enamel, Cabachon Rubies, Sapphires and Emeralds, and Round-Cut Diamonds Necklace, Earring and Bangle. It is breath-taking.
Tom Gillman Jul 31st 2009 5:29AM
Wishful thinking is all it will be as the shameless Silberstein's have no interest whatsoever in restoring David Webb (the company) to what it was--otherwise they wouldn't have trampled upon the quality footsteps David Webb (the person) carefully constructed during his business history. They are solely interested in re-tooling the company to their own (inferior) image, and that precludes requesting assistance from Mr. Gruberth or any other key member of the then-David Webb company. As it is, they don't believe they've torpedoed the David Webb (Company) reputation about which we outside observers are in near universal disagreement , and even if they were to finally acknowledge 'a step backwards' (several flights downwards is closer to the truth), they'd never stoop to associate with the likes of Mr. Gruberth and other ex-employees. They'd rather do without, which is their loss and ours, but from the looks of it, not of Mr. Gruberth.
I will give the Silberstein's this: their task was and is monumental.
There are very few instances where past genius has been able to immediately be segued into a continuing success and future success after the passing of the founding genius. One such exception that comes to mind is Chanel, where the singular Coco (who died in 1971) was succeeded by a man equal to the task if not to Madame Chanel--Karl Lagerfeld--but it took the House of Chanel 12 years to find him.
Finally, if anyone cares to view a gorgeous example of authentic David Webb's David Webb, c. early 1970's, please do a search on Ebay for a 3 piece set (Necklace, Earring and Bangle) of Black Enamel, Cabochon Rubies, Sapphires and Emeralds, and Round-Cut Diamonds. It is breath-taking (and so is the price!). The Silberstein's should definitely have a look--and compare it to the matched set in their current web site. Proof really is in the pudding here.