Pic of the Month - February 2007

Everlast Metal Products Corporation advertisement, from The American Home magazine, December 1947. ID.2006.42.1
Gift of Constance & James Levi

April 2007

"Yours From Everlast, The Finest—Bar None!"
Aluminum Giftware in the Mid-20th Century

Aluminum giftware for the home became fashionable during the 1930s, at a time when most Americans could not afford luxury metals like silver. One of the most prolific manufacturers of aluminum giftware was Everlast Metal Products Corporation of New York City.

Two immigrant metalworkers started the Everlast company. Brothers-in-law Louis Schnitzer and Nathan Gelfman had both been experienced metalworkers in their homeland of Kiev, Russia. In the early 1920s, they were polishing and plating silver at their silver housewares business in New York City called Western Silver Works, Inc. In 1930, Schnitzer and Gelfman began producing silver- and chrome-plated items under the name Western Silver Novelty Company.

As the Great Depression gripped the country during the 1930s, the demand for consumer products fell as many people struggled just to get by in the faltering economy. With few buyers for silver products, Schnitzer and Gelfman decided to try working with the more affordable and modern metal, aluminum. In 1932, the men formed Everlast Metal Products Corporation and began producing high quality hand-forged aluminum giftware.

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MORE: "Yours From Everlast, The Finest—Bar None!" Aluminum Giftware in the Mid-20th Century

Hammered aluminum giftware products were, at once, both "old" and "new." The "made by hand" aspect of these products held an aesthetic appeal for many people in an era of growing uniformity and factory production, while their aluminum material made them seem decidedly "modern."

About 1935, Schnitzer brought in Jack Orenstein as National Sales Manager. Orenstein, skilled in merchandising techniques and in building relationships with clients, was already successful in the giftware industry by the time he joined Everlast. Orenstein organized a highly effective sales force and gave Everlast a national presence in the decorative aluminum giftware market.

Gravy boat, 1938-1950 ID.2005.121.183 Gift of Constance & James Levi	FORGED GIFTWARE Everlast's first product line, "Forged Giftware," was introduced in 1933, and continued until the company closed. Featuring Colonial Revival- and Neoclassical Revival-inspired designs, this line appealed to customers with traditional tastes.
Ice bucket, 1939-1955 ID.2005.121.160 Gift of Constance & James Levi	NEOCRAFT In 1938, the company aimed its new "Neocraft" product line at customers with more modern tastes. Made of anodized aluminum (a protective coating created by chemical or electrolytic means), this giftware featured vibrant colors, clean lines and intaglio motifs.
Fallen Leaves relish tray, 1940-1941 ID.2005.121.212 Gift of Constance & James Levi	AMERICAN WAY For a short time in the early 1940s, Everlast collaborated with industrial designer Russel Wright in his "American Way" initiative, "to inspire American design and to incorporate, coordinate and accelerate the art-in-industry movement in home furnishings." Wright's wife Mary designed the "Fallen Leaves" pattern of this product line.
Bali Bamboo ice bucket, 1953-1959 ID.2005.121.129 Gift of Constance & James Levi	BALI BAMBOO Everlast's most successful line, "Bali Bamboo," was a direct result of America's fascination with the South Pacific after World War II. More than 60 different items, produced between 1946 and 1959, featured raised bamboo shoots and a satin finish. Together, these features provided the added advantage of hiding scratches.
Butter dish, 1953-1958 ID.2005.121.235 Gift of Constance & James Levi	HOSTESS GIFTS FOR "GRACIOUS SERVING" From 1946 into the 1950s, Everlast produced its "Promotion Parade"—every month highlighting a new "smartly styled" hostess accessory. Groups of these promotional items, on sale for a limited time, were sold as a unit and advertised at a special price.
Tumbler and coaster set, about 1952 ID.2005.121.206 Gift of Constance & James Levi	SILVERCREST In 1952, Everlast introduced a line called "Silvercrest," featuring a highly polished aluminum finish. By this time, as a cost-cutting measure, the products' "hand forged" hammer marks were actually produced by machine.
Tidbit tray, about 1953 ID.2005.121.174 Gift of Constance & James Levi	EVERLAST MODERN In 1953, in an attempt to reinvent its products amidst the growing popularity of plastics, Everlast introduced a contemporary line called "Everlast Modern." But little could be done to save the company. After nearly 30 years, the business closed in 1961.

-- Donna Braden, Curator of Public Life
-- Kira Macyda, Benson Ford Research Center

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