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Crescent Braid Company, Inc. in Providence, RI, incorporated in the State of Rhode Island in 1918. Their main product was shoe laces. 1
On February 17, 1919 Crescent Braid was sued by William C Johnson, Co. to recover $12,000 due to breach of contract 17
From 1919 to 1931, George Edward Swan was the Forman of the company. 29
On January 20, 1920 the company sustained water damage from a fire in the building at 407 Pine St, Providence, RI. 18
Another fire struck on June 7th, 1921 in the blower tank on the roof with no damage to the building. 19
In 1921 an article in "The Shoe Repairer and Dealer" the company is listed as having moved from 407 Pine Street 4 in Providence to 444 Wellington Ave. 2
In "The Annual Report of Factory Inspections made to the General Assembly in 1922", Crescent Braid employed 2 men and 9 women. And execeent sanitary conditions. 3 Also in 1922 the company was sued again, this time by the American Multigraph Sales Company 20.
In December of 1924 ads begin to show up in the Radio Magazines lising them as makers of premier Blue Ribbon extension cords, premier, jr extension cords and phone cords for headsets and loud speakers. It actually makes sense since headphone and speaker cords look like shoe laces with a conductor inside. None of the ads list an address but we can assume it was done in the 444 Wellington Ave location. These ads run through the Spring of 1926.
Due to the new advertisement the company took out many ads for help in 1924.
Providence Journal
In 1924 yet another fire struck the company causing slight damage from the sprinkler system. 21
Pawtucket Times Wednesday July 9, 1924
Pawtucket Times September 17, 1924
In 1925 we see a listing for 1012 Eddy Street in Providence. This listing includes a incorporation date of 1917 and a capital of 100,000. Also, president and treasurer is listed as Milton C Sapinsley and their poduct is shoe laces. 5
More ads are seen in 1925 and at the end of the year a thank you from the employees to the owners for their Christmas gifts.
Providence Journal
Radio Broadcast July, 1925
Cresent Braid was ordered into receivership in 1926 under the direction of D H Morrissey 22. They were also ordered by the court to sell $9500 in assets at a private sale to fullfil a suit by Issec Schwed. 23
In 1926 the company is put into recievership with Daniel H Morrissey as the receiver. Eventually the company is sold to Isaac Schwed who then receives a State Charter.
Providence Magazine Volume35 March 1924
Electrical Installation Record March 1926
Providence Journal July 1, 1926
Providence Journal July 2, 1926
Providence Journal July 17, 1926
Providence Journal July 24, 1926
Providence Journal July 24, 1926
Providence Journal July 25, 1926
Providence Journal August 31, 1926
Providence Journal December 30, 1926
Providence Journal December 30, 1926
Their location and product described as braids continue in 1926 at the 1012 Eddy Street Location 6. It is in 1927 that we see a change to the company with it's move to 289 Thurbers Avenue, a incorporation date of 1926 with a capital of 100 shares, no par value and a president change to I J Schwed with E S Sapinsley now listed as Secretary. It is this listing that also is the beginning of their business being described as Wire Manufacturers. 7 The president and address change and incoporation date change may indicate a new company or the old company being purchased.
In 1927 Cresent Braid is struck by fire once again, this time at their factory at 283 Thurber Avenue. They were last reported at 289 Thurber 7.
Providence Journal April 3, 1927
Providence Journal April 3, 1927
Once again fire strikes Crescent Braid on January 23rd, 1928, slight damage, cause unknown 26.
In the 1930 directory we find out that the presidents full name is Isaac J Schwed and the company has moved to 116 Elm St 8. In 1930 there is another listing that still has Milton C Sapinsley at secretary and treasurer 9. Also in 1930 the state reports that crescent Braid lost its charter 27.
1931 listings still show Sapinsley as Secretary and Treasurer 10 and then again in 1932 but with the addition of Automotive wires to their radio wires 11
On November 21st, 1932, Cresent Braid applied for a copyright for "Wiry Joe", used to describe their automotive line of cables. The were granted the trademark.
Providence Journal January 15, 1933
Providence Journal March 16, 1933
Providence Journal December 16, 1951
Click to enlarge Providence Journal September 28, 1952
The 1933 listing for Crescent shows them as having moved to 75 Eagle Street 12 and continuing to be there in 1935 13. In 1933 they were making battery cables.
In 1933 there was a small string of larcenies perpetrated against the company.
