Matthew Lewandowski jewelry dies and papers
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Abstract
Collection consists of steel dies (also called hubs) used for the stamping of hollow-form earrings and other jewelry. The dies were designed and manufactured by Matthew Lewandowski, owner of the Matthew Tool and Die company. In addition to the dies, the collection contains papers related to Lewandowski's business, and digital files consisting of photographs, audio recordings, and video recordings.
Biographical note
Matthew Lewandowski (1932-2011) was a tool and die maker based in Brooklyn who specialized in the production of jewelry. He was born in Warsaw, Poland, in 1932. He grew up as a child soldier as part of the Polish resistance against Nazi Germany. After the war, he studied economics and worked as an administrator setting up factories in Communist Poland. In 1973 he was granted political asylum and moved to the United States with his family. He found work at a Manhattan jewelry factory where he learned the tool and dye making trade. In 1980 he established his own business at 47 Withers Street in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, named Matthew Tool & Dye. Joined by his son George and his daughter Barbara, Lewandowski worked with a close knit group of designers and tool-makers to realize thousands of earring designs for the wholesale market during a career of more than 30 years. He retired in November 2011, and passed away shortly thereafter.
- Marc Ganzglass, Space for Art and Industry (Brooklyn, New York)
Arrangement
The collection is organized into three series:
Series 1: Papers, 1975-2012
Series 2: Jewelry dies, 1980s-2000s
Series 3: Digital files, 2011-2012
Scope and Contents
Collection consists of steel dies (also called hubs) used for the stamping of hollow-form earrings and other jewelry. The dies were designed and manufactured by Matthew Lewandowski, owner of the Matthew Tool and Die company. In addition to the dies, the collection contains papers related to Lewandowski's business, and digital files consisting of photographs, audio recordings, and video recordings.
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Conditions Governing Access
Open to researchers without restriction.
Conditions Governing Use
Rights to the collection's jewelry dies and designs are held by the Estate of Matthew Lewandowski. Rights to digital files retained by Marc Ganzglass.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date (if known); Matthew Lewandowski jewelry dies and papers, 2012.018, Box and Folder number; Brooklyn Historical Society.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Marc Ganzglass, 2012.
About this Guide
Processing Information
Minimally processed to the series level.
Digital materials were donated on one DVD. The disk was imaged in 2019 using BitCurator-2.0.14. No viruses or personally identifying information were found durimg imaging.
