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Tiffany and Co

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History of the Company
The 1830s in New York City were a time of dynamic growth and high taste for fashion. With this in mind; Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young saw an opportunity and in 1837 opened Tiffany & Young, a “stationery items and fancy goods” store with a $1,000 advance from Tiffany's father. That same year, the visionaries introduced their signature Blue Box which became the symbol of the company.
Opposite of the opulence and extravagant taste of the time, Tiffany and Young were inspired in nature, offering clean and harmonious patterns creating a new “American Style” expressed on silver hollowware, flatware and later jewelry.
In 1845, Tiffany published its first “Blue Book” catalog, which is still being published today showcasing its collection of fascinating couture jewelry, custom- designed pieces and most breathtaking jewels.
Tiffany was the first company to introduce the 925 sterling silver standard of purity and mostly because of the efforts of Charles Lewis Tiffany; this ratio was adopted by the United States Congress as the American sterling silver standard.
The company was awarded the grand prize for silver craftsmanship at the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1867, making Tiffany the first American design house to be honored by a foreign institution.
By 1900 Tiffany & Co. had become America's leading supplier of jewels and timepieces as well as luxury personal, table, and household accessories. Tiffany’s reputation was not limited to the United States; the company had branches in major cities like London, Paris, and Geneva gaining international recognition as the leader in the diamonds and jewelry world.
Throughout its history, Tiffany has been part of American tradition. The company has been asked multiple times by the United States to create special designs and commissions. Among them are: crafting ceremonial swords during the Civil War, designing the Congressional Medal of Honor and redesigning the Great Seal of the United States, seen on the dollar bill. Business organizations have also called on Tiffany’s skills and design expertise. For example, annually the American jeweler creates the Vince Lombardi Trophy for the National Football League Super Bowl, given to the team that wins the championship.
Over the years, Tiffany has built an image on innovating design and quality of the highest level, positioning the brand as a premier jeweler.

Mergers and Acquisitions
2009
‒ Lambertson Truex
Tiffany & Co. acquired New York-based manufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer of luxury luggage and handbags Lamberston Truex in May 2009 from the Samsonite Corporation. Lamberston Truex still remains as one of its subsidiaries.
2002
‒ Little Switzerland Inc.
Little Switzerland Inc., a specialty retailer of luxury items located in the Caribbean, was acquired by Tiffany & Co. in 2002. In 2007 Tiffany sold the company to NXP Corporation for US$ 54.7 million.

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