Documenting history as well as my experiences with repairing and restoring vintage guitars.

Home Top Ad

Image Credit:  Live Auctioneers I found this interesting box in an online auction for a Harmony Patrician being sold in Florida and figu...

Timi's Tortoise Shell Originals

Image Credit: Live Auctioneers
I found this interesting box in an online auction for a Harmony Patrician being sold in Florida and figured I'd document it since there appears to be no other reference to it on the internet.

Timi's Studio
Tortoise Shell Originals
Tetuan 200
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Genuine Tortoise Shell
Made In Puerto Rico by Timi's

Image Credit: Live Auctioneers

That was enough information for me to begin my search into trying to find the origins of the business. The Articles of Incorporation for the business through Puerto Rico's website refers to the business as "Timi's Tortoise Shell Originals." 

Image Credit: Puerto Rico - Registry of Corporations and Entities
The business appeared to be owned by John and Margaret Timiriasieff and was established in 1954 and continued operation until 1973 when CITES banned the trade of tortoise shell and the business likely folded. A third founding employee, Julio T. Rodriguez, is also mentioned as owning a single share. 

The business received notices about failure to renew in the 1990s but it took until 2014 for the name to be revoked.

Image Credit: Puerto Rico - Registry of Corporations and Entities
The business name was revoked in 2014.

Mr and Mrs Timiriasieff both passed in the 1990s according to public records. 










7 comments:

  1. I found the exact same box. Except the contents of mine are two tortoiseshell cufflinks. After many hours online i couldnt find a similar set anywhere. Mind if i ask what you paid?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I actually didn't purchase the set as it came with two guitars so the price was going to be expensive. Mind emailing me some pictures at nat.adams149@gmail.com? I can add them on here as resources of what products they sold, plus it would be neat to see

      Delete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have 2 items that are from Timi's. They were my grandmothers. They are still in the box and in excellent condition. One is a sea horse charm, the other a fish charm. I will send pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  5. My error, the sea horse is actually a pin.

    ReplyDelete
  6. My error, the sea horse is actually a pin.

    ReplyDelete

Please include a form of contact or reach out to me directly (nat.adams149@gmail.com) otherwise you likely won't see my response

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.