It all began in Alaska in the 1960’s when Sid Bell, working as a Geologist for the Bureau of Mines formed a hobby to fill the long winter arctic evenings. His creations began using fundamental techniques but as he learned the metal properties, the authenticity of details were worked into the final artistic form. Sid Bell spent 20+ years in the Alaskan and Canadian bush. Living so close to nature enabled him to capture the details of wildlife and transform them into his master carvings in silver for his designs in precious metals (Sid Bell Originals) and in pewter (Pilgrim Pewter). Sid Bell became known as the Alaskan Silversmith.
Few wildlife artists have had their pieces presented to Presidents of the United States, Statesman, Outdoor Writers, Sportsman, and Celebrities. Sid Bell’s wildlife carvings have been gifted to many of these recipients. Even today some of his wildlife designs are used as Gun inlays and Knife handles, some in silver and gold. His timeless wildlife designs will go on from generation to generation.
In 2008 , Jeff Karner, from Bucks County PA, who had been a long time customer of Sid Bell Originals, purchased all of the authentic Sid Bell designs, masters and molds, and all of the rights of both Sid Bell Originals & Pilgrim Pewter. The company continues to cast the original designs from Sid Bell and they are made in the same way that Sid made them for production. Sid used his single master carving of each piece to recreate his lapel pins, bolo ties, buckles and all of his items. Almost every silver piece has the copyright mark and date that Sid introduced the design into production; ie 1964. So when you order most any piece, a bit of its history is usually on the back of the item, in addition to the artists’s makers mark, Sid Bell, Tully NY.
It is an honor for us to continue to offer these detailed wildlife designs, using the best materials in precious metals and lead free pewter, that represent the artistic expression of an adventurous American Outdoorsman, Sid Bell, once known to many as the Alaskan Silversmith.
As always, we stand behind all of our products.
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