Early Edwardian Ostby & Barton Maltese Cross Topaz Ring

Once known as the largest ring manufacturers in the world, the history of Ostby & Barton is a bit of a Cinderella story befallen by tragedy. Engelhart Ostby was a Norwegian trained jeweler who emigrated to the United States in 1869. After working for a number of jewelers, Ostby met Nathan Barton and together founded Ostby & Barton Co. in 1879. Beginning with less than $3,000 to their name, Ostby & Barton found fast success; taking the jewelry business by storm and quickly becoming a household name. But all of that good fortune came to a halt in April of 1912, when Ostby and his daughter, Helene, were returning home from their trip to France to study European jewelry design and production. When the duo were preparing to head back to their home in Providence, RI, they heard from friends about a new ship sailing to New York, the RMS Titanic. Ostby purchased two first class tickets for he and his daughter.  Late in the night on April 14, the Titanic struck and iceberg and began