Hollywood Jewelry a/k/a Hollycraft

Dear JR Members:
I am truly delighted that JR elected to feature COW as Hollycraft this week. If my father were alive, he would be absolutely tickled to know that so many people appreciate his jewelry. I regret that my participation has not been what I would have liked, but my computer had a complete melt down and my email was not cooperating.
In honor of my father, along with his two partners and other family members, I hope and plan is to be able to donate my collection of Hollycraft to a museum sometime in the future. A number of costume jewelry collectors have already been kind enough to donate Hollycraft either as an outright gift or heavily discounted. As life has been so hectic, my plan to create my own website for Hollycraft has been delayed. I finally targeted this fall as my launch. Of course, it will be going up in segments as my collection of jewelry, artwork and photographs is rather large.

My father, Joseph Chorbajian began Hollywood Jewelry in 1936. As good fortune, determination and talent were in his favor, his company began to grow so he encouraged his cousins, Jack Hazard (formerly Hazardabedian) and Arshag “Archie” Chorbajian, to join him, thus in 1939 they became part of the Hollywood family. Through the years many members of the family worked at Hollywood either full time, part time or summer time—myself included.

I began going with my father to work when I was really young, probably 8 or 9 when the factory was located at 902 Broadway. My first paying job was in the summer of 1959 while I was in high school. I continued through the years working at the factory until I finally went out into the world on my own. My only true regret is that none of us ever thought about the future so all the beautiful sets that were created never got saved, particularly the beauties that were manufactured and unsigned in the 1940’s. In addition, I had access to all the big names in costume jewelry manufacturing and could have collected any number of pieces of jewelry that we are all seeking out today. Hindsight was never more 20-20 then this.

My father, mother, and all the senior members of the business were survivors of the Genocide of 1915-1917 in Turkey. They came to the United States poor, but determined to make a great life for themselves. I am happy and proud to say that all of these wonderful people lived their dreams to the fullest. They not only lived good lives, but made many major contributions to both their newly adopted country and their community. My father, for one, was the first campaign chairman for the building and development of St. Vartan’s Armenian Cathedral Complex that graces Second Avenue between 34th and 35th Streets in New York City.

One question that comes up quite often in costume jewelry circles is the Hollywood-Hollycraft name. As I noted, Hollywood Jewelry Manufacturing Company was the original name of the company. Along the way, confusion developed between Joseph of Hollywood (East Coast) and Josef of Hollywood (West Coast). It was therefore decided that Hollywood East would use Hollycraft as its logo. The official name of the company remained Hollywood Jewelry until it was sold in the 1978-1979 period. It lasted approximately 10 more years and closed.

I hope all of you who are interested in Hollycraft will continue to acquire and enjoy it. I know that every time I receive a new piece my first reaction is to hear the sounds of the factory and sense the smell of the glue. How fortunate I am to have such wonderful memories.
I have posted quite a number of pieces to Judi Bollan’s ImageEvent—thank you Judi. I apologize that the pictures are not what I would like them to be—something that will be changing this fall. These pictures are from eBay wins, internet sites and sent to me by thoughtful collectors. Again, thank you one and all. Joyce, The Hollycraft Lady
To See Some of Joyce the Hollycraft Lady's Collection Please click on this Link