Ring, Class
Object number2021.143.1
Manufacturer
L. G. Balfour Company
Date1943
MediumGold; Gemstone; Applied decoration
Credit LineGift of John Shifler
DescriptionClass ring. Ten karat gold finger ring. Thick ring band is narrow at the rear and widens toward the front. Ring is gold with recessed dark gold background. Front is convex with convex, rounded rectangular (nearly square) dark red gemstone with applied fraternity Greek letters diagonally across it; stone is bordered in gold and surrounded by college name and founding date. Left and right sides have panther with text above, on the proper right side is the degree abbreviation and on the proper left side is the graduation year. Band interior has engraved maker text at back proper right area and owner name on front and wrapping around proper left side; both are inverted.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 0.813 x 1 x 1.188 in. (2.1 x 2.5 x 3 cm)InscriptionsFront of ring has gold Greek text applied to front of stone "Λ / X / A" and raised gold text around the perimeter "UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH / 1787".
Proper right side of band has raised gold text at top "BA" and proper left side of band has gold text at top "43".
Band interior has engraved text on front and wrapping around proper left side "GEORGE R SHIFLER"; text is inverted.
MarksBand interior has engraved maker text at back proper right area "BALFOUR / 3 10K"; text is inverted.
Historical NotesUniversity of Pittsburgh ring belonged to George Shifler who graduated in 1943. Crafton native George Shifler was born on November 6, 1922. After graduating from Crafton High School, George joined the Air Force and served during WWII. After the war he returned to Pittsburgh and earned his BA in engineering from the University of Pittsburgh in 1943. George began working for H.J. Heinz Company in 1948 in the Personnel Department, eventually becoming the Corporate Human Resources Executive for Heinz USA Divisions. George’s responsibilities included recruiting, hiring, salary administration, employee benefits, health care, pensions, labor negotiations, service recognitions, and retirements for Heinz and their subsidiary companies such as Ore Ida, Weight Watchers, Star-Kist, and 9 Lives. In 1961, he was one of the Trustees for Eden Hall Farm and the Eden Hall Foundation. He retired in 1987, but remained active in the Heinz Retiree Volunteers in Pittsburgh group. George passed away on November 10, 1999, at age 76.
Previous owner
George R. Shifler
(1922 - 1999)
Related institution
University of Pittsburgh
Related institution
Lambda Chi Alpha
Related institution
H. J. Heinz Company
(founded 1888)
Related institution
Crafton High School
Terms
On View
Not on view
1927
Bulova
C. and E. Marshall Company
