Shreve, Racket

Racket Shreve, a local artist is known for his illustrations and distinguished artwork. Maritime themes are one of his specialties.

The family had English ancestry.

The family's link to the famous jewelry firm, Shreve Crump & Low of Boston began with two Salem-born sons of Isaac and Hannah. Benjamin (b. 1780) settled in Maine and worked with silversmith and jeweler George Choate Shreve. When the California Gold Rush was on, George Choate Shreve (1829-1893) sailed to San Francisco in 1852 and founded the George C. Shreve & Co. jewelry house. Benjamin returned to Salem and organized Shreve, Crump & Low in Boston in 1869. This jewelry firm claims to the "America's Oldest and Finest Jeweler."

Racket has a studio at 17 1/2 Chestnut Street in the second floor of a barn. This has been a working studio for 45 years. The barn was built around 1850 and is attached to the main house built in 1804-05 for Capt. Stephen Phillips. Racket is a fifth generation Chestnut St. and grew up in the house, where he continues to live with his wife and animals.

See Also

Vertical File in Salem Collection - Shreve, Warren (Racket)

Legendary Locals of Salem ed. Curley, Malcom, Dionne, p. 36-7

"Salem's surprising Shreve" John Goff, Salem Gazette Dec. 4, 2009, p. 4