Indeed, one of the most unique pieces commissioned to Biro & Sons came from Capitol Records, who were looking to create a trophy to honor the label’s artists who’s musical achievements left an indelible mark on American popular culture.
“A local designer came up with the design and we made up four of them for Capitol,” recalls Rick. “The first was given to Frank Sinatra, then Nat King Cole got one, Les Paul and Steve Miller. The trophy itself looked like the Capitol Records building. It was a cool looking piece.”
While that was one of the most interesting, probably one of the most historical to come through the doors is The America’s Cup trophy. “When the BMW Oracle team won in 2010, the person in charge of the Cup at Oracle called a bunch of places around the Bay Area and our name kept coming up,” Rick says. “So, she called and set up a time to bring it in. They showed up with a security task force, brought it in and we got to work.”
At the same time, Biro & Sons have maintained and succeeded in business because they understand the importance of sentiment. “People trust us with their most important things,” Martin says, “from platters that have been in their families for decades to a small trinket that their grandfather picked up in World War II. We take great pride in restoring those things, so that those memories continue to live on in their families.”
The road from Hungary to San Francisco has been long, but educational for the Biro family. Alex, who remains actively involved in the business, has successfully passed on his love of silversmithing to his sons. They, in turn, pay homage to their father’s experience by remaining true to the core philosophies of care and craftsmanship every day.