Seaman Schepps
American, 1881 - 1972
BiographySeaman Schepps (1881-1972) known as "America's Court Jeweler" was born on the Lower East Side in New York City, one of nine children of Hungarian immigrants. His name is said to have been inspired by the Seamen's Bank for Savings. At the turn of the century he went to California where he met and married the daughter of a prominent Illinois family. He opened an antiques and jewelry shop in Los Angeles in 1904 and spent time in San Francisco before returning to New York where he established several stores including the shop at 399 Madison Avenue which opened in 1933.
Schepps highly-original, bold designs were prized by many mid-twentieth clients including Katharine Hepburn, Doris Duke and the Duchess of Windsor, as well as members of the Du Pont, Mellon and Roosevelt families. Commissions from several White House families led THE WASHINGTON POST to dub him "America's Court Jeweler." (E. Blakelock, 11/2008)
Schepps highly-original, bold designs were prized by many mid-twentieth clients including Katharine Hepburn, Doris Duke and the Duchess of Windsor, as well as members of the Du Pont, Mellon and Roosevelt families. Commissions from several White House families led THE WASHINGTON POST to dub him "America's Court Jeweler." (E. Blakelock, 11/2008)
Person TypeIndividual
Cape Verdean, 1924 - 2005
