Sam Kramer

(1913 - 1964) Sam, an incredibly complex and colorful artist was one of the most significant American studio jewelers of the 20th Century. After his death in 1964, Kramer was eulogized by fellow jeweler, Ed Wiener, "For those of us who worked in the new jewelry tradition, Sam Kramer was the legend. An image shatterer, he demolished formality with a savage surrealism. He was endlessly delighted with the indelible imprint he made in the naive bohemians and hip squares. But the power of his work and his life was never compromised by the new movements, new styles, or new hipsters. He was never a clown. He was always the touchstone." - Courtesy of "Modernist Jewelry 1930-1960 - The Wearable Art Movement" book by Marbeth Schon Biography: Born in Pittsburgh, PA, Sam attended University of Pittsburgh from 1932-1934. He moved to California to further his studies in art and design at the University of Southern CA, from 1934-1936, taking jewelry courses with Glen Lukens. From 1936-1938, he worked as a newspaper reporter in LA and Hollywood, making jewelry for his own personal satisfaction. In 1938, he returned to Pittsburgh doing bench work for David Helfer Jewelers. Additionally, he studied gemstones and wrote papers and published articles on the subject. When he wasn't working, he was experimenting in his home studio with original jewelry techniques and running a personal studio on the side. In 1939, he moved to New York City and enrolled in New York University, where he studied gemology. He also opened his first studio in Greenwich Village out of his apartment at 71 West 3rd Street. In 1940 he married Carol Enners and together they opened their studio/shop at 29 West 8th St. In 1957, he and Carol got divorced, and in 1958 he married Doris Ann Sherrill. They subsequently divorced in 1962, 2 years before Kramer died of a heart ailment. - Biography courtesy of "Sam Kramer Jeweler of the Edge" book by Toni Greenbaum.