The jewelry firm of Whiteside Blank was founded in 1890 in Newark, New Jersey by Newton Whiteside and Henry Blank. When Whiteside (1843–1922) retired in 1912, Blank bought out his shares and changed the name to Henry Blank Co. Under both names, the company was a leading supplier to Tiffany Co. They were one of the few manufacturers to create stained glass enamel pieces for leading jewelry companies, and their mark can be seen on the magnificent precious timepieces sold under the Tiffany brand at the turn of the century. Blank subsequently made watches for Patek Philippe in the 1920s and later for Cartier.
The year 1912 turned out to be very significant in the life of Henry Blank. The trip to Europe, which ended in such tragic events, brought financial success to the company. He entered into successful contracts for the supply of watch movements with Swiss manufacturers and suppliers of precious stones in Amsterdam, Belgium and Paris. Newton Whiteside retired from the business this year, selling his shares to Blank, who became its sole owner. The company began producing luxury women’s wristwatches, sautoir watches, and ring watches decorated with precious stones under the Cresarrow Watch Co. brand.
This watch was presented to the famous American aviator Amelia Earhart by her friend Amy Johnson. In 1932, when Amy gave Amelia this watch, Amelia earned the title of being the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. The flight took place exactly five years after American aviator Charles Lindbergh became the first male pilot to fly solo non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean.
For this flight she was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by the United States Congress. Amy Johnson was not only the first British woman to be licensed as an aeronautical ground engineer, but also the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia in 1930. Johnson and Earhart, bound by their common interests, became close and soon founded the North Atlantic Flying Club, whose members included those who had flown solo across the North Atlantic. Amelia Earhart and Amy Johnson overcame many obstacles in the world of women’s aviation at such a young age. Their story is one of triumph, breaking stereotypes and achieving equal rights.
Henry Blanc’s company created jewelry and watches in the most fashionable styles of its time, surviving the turmoil of the 20th century, including two world wars and the Great Depression. He remained president until his death in 1949, and his four sons ran the company until it closed in 1986.
