The mysteries of LN Jewelry - Courtesy of Jenny Stephens at Aurora Bijoux



In all my years of collecting and dealing, I've never seen LN referenced in any collectibles book ­ be it jewelry related or otherwise. Additionally, it is the array of different signatures that intrigues me and lends credence to my suspicion that there was, potentially, more than one company utilizing the LN signature.

I've heard the rumors and seen theories come and go. At one point it was thought the pieces were from Europe. It was then decided that they were made in the USA. For a while the name Little Nemo was tossed about, dropped and again brought to life most recently when a company by the name of Brier Manufacturing Company was credited with being the creator of LN as they utilized the signature Little Nemo.

Although Brier, a Providence, Rhode Island jewelry manufacturer, did use the signature Little Nemo, I doubt very much they were the creators of the LN line. According to American Jewelry Manufacturers written by Dorothy Rainwater and published by Schiffer Books, Brier Manufacturing Company of Providence, Rhode Island did, indeed, use the signature Little Nemo, however they were in business for 56 years and declared bankruptcy in 1978. Furthermore, they were known for their gold-filled jewelry and I have yet to find one piece of LN jewelry that is anything more than basic potmetal.

Rainwater also references a company by the name of Little Nemo in her book although no signature mark accompanies the description of the manufacturer. The only information available about the Providence, Rhode Island based Little Nemo company is that they produced rhinestone jewelry and operated during the years 1931 through 1965. The Little Nemo company reads more like the LN jewelry I own and love said Stephens.

Regardless of the manufacturer, it is clear from viewing part of Stephens collection that the company produced jewelry as far back as the 1930s as well as before and after WWII. This is evidenced by the sweetheart and victory pieces marked with one or more of the LN signatures.

The LN company or companies (as the case may be) contained a multitude of signatures including: LN, L/N, LN/25 and LN 50. Further clouding the mystery is the diamond shape that sometimes surrounds the initials LN or LN/25.

I tend to believe a specific company produced pieces marked with just the LN signature. Pieces with just the initials LN as a signature appear to be the oldest for the most part. How the slash fits into the picture is the big mystery. Does this evidence a new partner in the company, the division of the company, or a different company entirely? Were the numbers 25 and 50 product specific, used to indicate years of production, amount of inventory produced, different factory locations or something else?

There is absolutely no rhyme or reason for how these pieces were marked. For instance, were all the clear rhinestone pieces marked a specific way? No. Were all the enamelled pieces marked with one signature? No. Perhaps all clips were signed identically? No. The signatures, even among the war era pins, were marked with different signatures!

Every time I think I have something definite pinned down, along comes another piece to destroys my current theory, said Stephens.

Although costume jewelry sleuths have long pursued finding out just who LN is, Stephens says she hopes it remains a mystery. Not knowing….well, that's all part of the fun she said.

View the LN collection here:
LN Jewelry