Ostby and Barton Co., a jewelry manufacturing company, was founded in 1879 when Engelhart Cornelius Ostby and Nathan B. Barton formed their business partnership. Previous to their partnership, Mr. Ostby trained to be a jeweler at the Royal School of Art in Norway. He furthered his education and expertise with six years of apprenticeship working in his hometown of Oslo.
In 1869, Ostby joined his parents and brother in emigrating to the United States. It was here that he worked for two different jewelry companies, first Hunt & Owen, then Arnold and Webster, where he specialized in jewelry design & engraving.
When Ostby & Barton formed their new jewelry company, they had barely three thousand dollars in capital! Despite this, their company would soon be known as “the largest ring manufacturers in the world”. The business was thriving, and people in the industry could easily recognize the well-known “O-B” stamp on rings.
Ostby and his daughter Helene traveled to Europe frequently, to study European jewelry design and production. After 1906, all of Ostby’s trips to Europe included his daughter. Little did they know, their last father - daughter trip together would be to France in 1912. This final trip ended in tragedy.
When the duo were prepared to head back home to Providence, RI, Ostby heard from friends about a ship traveling to New York. The name of the ship was the Titanic. Ostby paid £62 for first class tickets for him and Helene. Ostby was assigned cabin B-30 while Helene was assigned to cabin B-36. It is documented that Ostby carried a black leather doctor’s bag, which contained gems and other souvenirs from Paris.
When the duo were prepared to head back home to Providence, RI, Ostby heard from friends about a ship traveling to New York. The name of the ship was the Titantic. Ostby paid £62 for first class tickets for him and Helene. Ostby was assigned cabin B-30 while Helene was assigned to cabin B-36. It is documented that Ostby carried a black leather doctor’s bag, which contained gems and other souvenirs from Paris.
At 11:40 P.M., on April 14, 1912, the Titanic hit an iceberg. Helene recalled:
“I sat up straight in bed, trying to make out what had happened. It seemed completely silent for a minute or two. The engines were cut off. The corridors were quiet until one began to hear doors open and voices speaking. The first voice I heard was a woman asking the steward what had happened. He replied calmly "Everything will be all right."
After the collision, Ostby and his daughter, along with their friends the Warrens, climbed the grand staircase and went out to the boat deck. It was frigid outside, so Ostby decided to quickly return to his room to gather some warmer attire. While he was inside the ship, men insisted Helene board a lifeboat. She desperately wanted her father to join, but she listened to the men and got on the boat. Helene would never see her father again.
While on the lifeboat, some people were lamenting the loss of their jewelry aboard the sinking ship. Twenty-two year old Helene recalled,
“When somebody happened to mention jewelry left behind, I remembered for the first time that I had lost a diamond bar pin which was given me by my father which was still pinned to my nightgown aboard ship. I hadn't given it a though, and when I was reminded, it didn't matter.”
Ostby was 64 years 3 months and 28 days old when he perished on the Titanic, with 1500 other individuals. His body was found by the ship, MacKay Bennett, and the following description pertaining to the findings was documented:
After Helen had time to process the terrible tragedy that occurred, she was able to focus on the family business. She returned to Providence, RI, and along with her brother Harold and his daughter, the three became joint owners of the business their father began back in 1879.
Despite the 1912 catastrophe, Ostby and Barton Co. continued to produce jewelry into the 1950s. Their advertisements boasted their large jewelry lines, and stated that they specialized in “emblem rings, stone rings, mountings, bar pins, misses’ rings, cameo rings, cuff links, pendants, ladies’ rings, festoons, men’s rings, signet rings, tie clasps, baby pins, baby rings, band rings, brooches, ear rings, and scarf pins.” (The Jeweler’s Circular, 1921)
On October 20, 1917, the The Saturday Evening Post newspaper included an Ostby & Barton Co. ad that read:
"Women of taste and experience have found one unfailing test of a jeweler’s standards of style and value -- How does he look upon Ostby & Barton Jewelry? If he knows all the facts, as he ought to, the strongest feature of his stock will be Ostby & Barton -- The foremost House among the jewelery makers of this country…”
On May 15, 1978, Helene passed away at the age of 88. As requested, she was buried close to her beloved father.
Still to this day, Ostby & Barton jewelry is highly desired by collectors of fine antique jewelry for its beautiful workmanship & historical ties to the Titantic. The quality of these pieces speaks for themselves, as many of the pieces jewelry enthusiasts come across are over 100 years old and are in exceptional antique condition.
Additional Findings
During my research for this post, I came across this news clipping from 1918. A woman named Sarah Hartman was arrested after she stole gold from Ostby-Barton. She later ended up committing suicide with the poison cyanide of potassium.
Another interesting piece I stumbled upon was a website that contains all the names of the people who were aboard the Titantic, along with their age and jobs. The website found five passengers who identified as jewelers, Ostby included.
Comments
I have an Otsby and Barton ring that has thO, 10karat label, B It has a five pointed star and a parallelogram with a dot in the middle. It is a ladies ring with a prong set bloodstone. I have been searching for the meanings of the markings as I want to sell this for a fair price. Can you help?
I found one of my.Engelhart Ostby gold ring at collage hill ny it has the OB 10k with a cross I would like to know if it would be collectable for someone, also it has a black face with a Diamond.
I have a ring stamped inside in a different lettering is sober and in front it the lettering is a round stamp with looks like a b stamped inside. It’s a bezel setting 8mm by 10mm and now it has a very nice blue topaz. Thinking maybe 70s or little early. Can anyone give me more info about
It looks to be very worn. It was a political ring with a crest looking boarder of stars, and Lady Liberty holding scales of justice in one hand and the American flag in the other. You can tell it was once enameled but a lot of it has worn off. I can send you a couple of photos. I want to know
what year this may have been worn and if it may have been during the women’s help during the American Revolution. DOL emerged in 1768-1769. I am guessing since O&B were 1800’s- 1950 it was made during that era.. I live in Burlington,N.C. and I have not been able to find anyone to help me with the history. I do not know who the ring belonged to either. It looks like a women’s ring. My Grandmother was born in1882 and her mother in 1854. All of my relatives have passed away that would know who the ring belonged to. My Grandfather’s family came over from Germany in the 1700’s. I was hoping if I could learn a little more about the ring it may help me with some more history about my family. I am very passionate about women rights. I just feel in my gut that it may have been worn during the years women were fighting for their voice.
I would appreciate any help you may have. I love vintage jewelry as well. I love anything vintage!
I have some beautiful costume jewelry from the 40’s that belonged to my Mother and Mother in law. It’s very special to me. And some pieces I have purchased from some antique stores .
Thank you for your time,
Pamela Horton
I found a osby barton ring and i want to knoe its worth.
I would like to know if my OB ring was on the Titanic !!!
I HOPE PLEASE!!!
I have a silver bracelet with your OB hallmark. It appears to be new or not vintage. Are you still in business?
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I recently was gifted a small broach. It has the O.B mark, 10K white gold shaped like a ribbon with a blue stone in center.
Any idea when made or value?
My great grandparents were Ostbys and came over to USA from Norway. They had several sons,one of which was my Grandfather. They lived with other Ostbys and Nordbys mainly in North Dakota and Minnesota.
I have an emblem ring made by this company and asked my jeweler about it. They told me this story. I found it in my father and grandparents old suitcase and would love to find out what the emblem means? If anyone knows who and where I could send a pic that would be so fun to know the meaning story so I can share with my son who I will give this ring to down the line. TY! Debbie G
How can someone find out if a ring they have was rescued from the Titanic?
I have a OB 10 k mans ring with Maltese markings..How much is it worth?
A few years ago, I bought an Otsby ring from an antique dealer. It has the initials in the ring. I bought it for my husband who has recently passed away. It’s a “ Tiger eye “ ring… Would love to have more info on it…. Was wondering how valuable it could be.