Edward Everett Oakes
Edward Everett Oakes was born in 1891 in Massachusetts. At 18 years old Edward Oakes joined jeweler Frank Gardner Hale. Hale offered Oakes the position of assistant where Oakes trained in Boston for five years. Hale taught him everything he learned at Chipping-Campden in Gloucestershire and with Frederick Partridge in London. Oakes then left to work with Josephine Shaw. Shaw taught Oakes not to believe in mass-produced jewelry and inspired Oakes to create one of kind pieces. Oakes was doing well and hired an assistant himself, Mrs. Thomson, who would quote a higher price than Oakes to customers which helped the business grow. Oakes focused on creating wedding rings and stressed his ability to modify rings of the time or create custom pieces by first drafting sketches. Oakes continued to grow and tried a shop in New York city from 1923-1928 and the travel between cities ultimately lead to the closure of the NY brand which, was timed just right before the 1929 market crash. Oakes' business survived the Great Depression. Gilbert Oakes, Edward's son, joined the business then went and formed a company with Edward which they called Edward Everett Oakes & Son. The business operated successfully and Edwards granddaughter, Susan Oakes Peabody, took control of the family business shortly after Edward passed away in 1960. Gilbert passed away in 1987 and Susan was at the helm. The Oakes mark can be found on much of the work produced (though not all of it) and is an oak leaf with the name Oakes inside. Gilbert added a single acorn to his fathers mark and Susan made the mark her own by adding a second acorn. Thus tracing the pieces from generation to generation is possible.
