Sam Kramer 1913–1964
Sam Kramer was born in and studied jewelry design in Pittsburgh. He began his career in the 1940s, peddling surrealist-inspired jewelry on the streets of Greenwich Village. He became a downtown personality, eventually establishing a shabby studio and shop full of taxidermy, swords, shells, bones, Mexican, Indian and Native American artifacts, and unusual stones and beads he salvaged from antique shops. A flyer by Kramer from this era (which were handed out on the streets by women dressed in space costumes and painted green) says that his jewelry “evolves from the dream world and the art world”. His oddball reputation did not precede him though, as he was one of the most respected mid-century jewelry designers.
Auction Results Sam Kramer
Sam Kramer
brooch
estimate: $3,000–5,000
result: $3,125
Sam Kramer and Peggy Ackerly
‘Skeleton’ sterling silver and gold cuff bracelet
estimate: $1,000–1,500
result: $2,250
Sam Kramer
brooch
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $2,000
Sam Kramer
pair of earrings
estimate: $1,500–2,000
Sam Kramer
brooch
estimate: $1,000–1,500
Sam Kramer
Silver ring, earrings, and tie bar
estimate: $1,000–1,500
Sam Kramer
Two modernist silver brooches
estimate: $1,500–2,000