Charles Reizenstein Company

Last updated
Charles Reizenstein Company
FoundedAllegheny, PA, 1865
FounderCharles Reizenstein
Headquarters Allegheny, Pennsylvania
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Louis Reizenstein
ProductsFine Glassware

The Charles Reizenstein Company was an internationally acclaimed glassware and chinaware designer, importer, and manufacturer. The company's first store was established on Federal Street in Allegheny (now Pittsburgh) in 1865, making it America's oldest family-owned china and glassware concern as of 1947. [1]

Contents

Company history

Israel Reizenstein (c. 1830–1898), a Bavarian Jew, immigrated to New York City circa 1849. Once in America, he changed his first name to Charles. In 1851, he wed Rose Streng (c. 1825–1902), who had also been born in Bavaria and had come to the United States circa 1851. [2]

Charles was working as a sugar maker when the Civil War broke out, and he volunteered with the Union Army on April 19, 1861, shortly after the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter. He was soon discharged due to suffering from rheumatism, but he re-enlisted with the 6th Regiment of the New York State Militia and served from November 1863 through May 1864. [2] Documents regarding his military service show his surname spelled variously as Reizenstein, Reitzenstein, and Reicenstein, probably due to copyists' errors.

After the war ended in 1865, Charles sold glass lamps in Franklin, Pennsylvania, for a short time, but by 1866, the family had relocated to old Allegheny. There Charles, with his son Louis, established a store in Federal Street, just north of the "old hay market." The company, which became known as C. Reizenstein and Sons, served an exclusive clientele and imported glass and china ware from Europe, including hand-painted wares from Limoges, France, and Saxony. Charles made yearly sea voyages to Europe to acquire fine glass and china, and many of the china ware pieces he imported were marked with the "C. Reizenstein" name in addition to the manufacturer's logotype as part of their back stamps.

In 1882, Louis Reizenstein married Freda Jacobs (c. 1857–1922), who had been born in Marietta, Ohio. Beginning that same year, Louis took a more active role in the company. He carried on the family tradition of maintaining personal contact with European manufacturers and suppliers, making 48 transatlantic trips during his 50-year career with the firm, and visiting most of the major European cities to do business in glass and china wares. [3] In 1927 King Albert of Belgium made him a Chevalier the Order of the Crown for his services to the china ware industry in Liège. He was said to be "the first commercial man to receive this honor." [4]

The Reizenstein family was deeply involved in the social reform movement, and the family business was used as a means of acquiring funds for distribution through philanthropic scholarship and civil rights organizations in Pennsylvania and nationwide.

Notable family members

Charles (Israel) Reizenstein (circa 1830 [5] –1898) [1]

Louis Reizenstein (1856–1947) [1]

Elrose Reizenstein Silverman (1883–1976)

Charles L. Reizenstein (1884–1961)

Freda Silverman Reizenstein (circa 1887–1946) [6]

Louis J. Reizenstein (c. 1896–1977)

Florence Silberstein Reizenstein (1901–1970)

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Jul 7, 1947 Cover Story "Louis Reizenstein is Dead at age 91"
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "The Reizenstein Family - Rauh Jewish Archives". Jewishfamilieshistory.org. Retrieved 2017-07-23.
  3. J. F. Diffenbacher's Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities. 1886/1887
  4. "The Pittsburgh Press from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on July 19, 1927 · Page 19". Newspapers.com. 1927-07-19. Retrieved 2017-07-23.
  5. Allegheny City Census record
  6. 1 2 American Jewish Yearbook compiled by Rose G Stein. Member of staff. Library of Jewish Information. American Jewish Committee.
  7. "The Silberstein Family - Rauh Jewish Archives". Jewishfamilieshistory.org. Retrieved 2017-07-23.
  8. 1 2 Pittsburgh Post Gazette - Wednesday, November 16, 2005