1909-04-25 - GRPLpedia

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Twenty ..Ninth Year-No.
20
APRIL 25. 1909
Semi-Monthly
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THE MIDSUMMER· SALE
will
open at
Grand Rapids, June 24, 1909,··
Largest
and ~Best Assortment
Ever
Placed
of F umilure
on Exhibitiou.
Furniture Exhibition Association
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"The Better Mak.e"
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WE HAVE OVER 400 PIECESIN OUR LINE.
Bedroom and Dining Room Furniture
-----:SUITES
TO MATCH.-----
Nelson~Matter
Furniture
Company
GRAND RAPIDS,MICH.
Factory and Salesroom,
37 Canal Street
Catalogues to Dealers on
Heavy Plate Paper.
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MICHIGAN
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ARTISAN
ARTISTIC and INEXPENSIVE
CATALOGUE COVERS
LET
US
PROMPT
DELIVERIES
COMPLETE
CATALOGS
FIGURE
ON
ENGRAVING
YOUR
and
PHOTOGRAPHING
PRINTING
MICHIGAN ENGRA VING CO.
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
PERFECT
WORK
at
Righ t Prices
2
MICHIGAN
ARTISAN
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DINING
EXTENSION
TABLES
ARE
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BEST MADE
BEST FINISHED
VALUES
All Made from Thoroughly
Seasoned Stock.
LENTZ TABLE CO.
NASHVILLE, MICH.
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No.384X
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Do You Want the Daily?
Orders for the Midsummer
Edition of the
DAILY ARTISAN-RECORD
Should be Mailed to the
Publishers Now.
Address
Daily
Artisan-Record
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.
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White Printing CO.
GRAND
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RAPIDS,
MICHIGAN
HIGH GRADE
CATALOGS
COMPLETE
GRAND RAPIDS
rHVl Jr V':,.,
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29th Year-No.
$1.00 per Year.
20.
American Mail Order Merchants
in Germany.
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Secure Trade
The mail order Inerchants of Arneriea do not confine
their efforts to secure trade to the \vestern hemisphere.
Th~re is a large amount of foreign business that looks
good.
During the past year their efforts to deal with
the Germans have been so well re\varded as to alarm the
merchants
of the empire considerably.
Une Sperber,
who says his home is in New York, has made a savage
attack upon the i\merican mail order merchants through
a trade journal published in Berlin, denouncing them as
"Swindlers of the worst kind."
Sperber says he knows
one American firm that {'sells $5,000 \vorth of goods
monthly to customers in the Fatherland, $4,000 of which
is net profit.
::\'1r. Sperber advocates the passing of laws by the
German Government which will make it impossible for
the American mail-order houses to do business in that
country.
"Vith delightful
consistency the writer then
proceeds to urge German business men to establish mailorder houses of their own, pointing out the profits of the
great concerns of Chica.go and c1se\vhere to demonstrate
conclusively that the business is a money maker.
It is articles like this which poison the German commercial mind against American enterprises,
and even
compel the Government from time to time to adopt a hostile attitude tmvard our consular officials in the pursuit
of their legitimate official duties.
For the last four years 11acy's has rented a summer
home for the same purpose in ]\{onroe N. Y" but it was
decided that the winter work was just as much a necessity as the summer vacation home, and the J\.'1acy management took the first opportunity of locating the home in
a permanent place.
New plumbing and decorations throughout,
together
with new furniture, have modernized the place so that it
eqnals the best that could possibly be secured by the girls
in summer hotels.
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One Thousand
Dollar Bedroom
Snites.
John Mowatt, superintendent
of the Grand Rapids
Chair company, was employed by the Berkey & Gay
Pllrnitl1re company in the same capacity in the year 1876,
the year of the centennial exposition.
Mr. Mowatt spent
considerable
time with the company's exhibit of bedroom suites in Philadelphia.
Among the suites was one
bearing the price mark $350. A lady whose home was
in San Francisco passed the exhibit one- dav and remarked HI have three of those suites in my hO~le and I paid
$3)000 for them."
At this instant the lady's eyes rested
on the company's price card.
"Do you charge but $350
for tbis suite?"
"That is our price to the trade."
HWell
I have been swindled.
When I need furniture again I
will ,vrite your company,"
"That would be useless;"
responded :Mr. l\lowatt, '\ve could not sell you."
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Macy Provides
a Home for Store Workers.
The great store in K eV,rYork known as l\iacy's (the
founder died many years ago) finds it profitable to provide temporary homes for employes.
Recently the house
purchased the larger part of the estate of the late G.
Estrada Palma, ex-president of Cuba, at Central Valley,
N. Y., as a summer home for their women employes.
It
\vill also be used in the \vinter as a retreat for women
employes who are convalescing from illness.
The full estate has eighteen acres, on which is a house
of thirty rooms. Mrs. Palma will reserve five acres for
her own use, but the house, with the balance of thirteen
acres, is included in the sale to the l\:Iacy's. J n the thirteen acres are tennis courts, croquet grounds, several
acres of \vooded land) and a good-sized fresh ,vater lake.
There will be a matron in charge of the house summer
and winter.
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Crowding
Out the Weak Ones.
A gentleman largely engaged in jobbing metal beds
is responsible for the statement that many of the small
and moderate sized manufacturers
of metal bedsteads
have been or soon will be crO\~rdec1out of business by one
or two large corporations,
which seemingly are deter,
mined to gain control of the trade.
The corporations
make no secret of their purpose and the means employed
are as destructive of the interests of small manufacturers
as the steam road roller ,",vouldbe to human life. Neither
prices nor terms are considered when the agents of the
big bed makers want orders.
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The agency that ordered 1,000 saw mills shut down
pending advancement in prices for lumber is not a trust
lumbermen
declare, but it serves trust purposes yen:
efficiently.
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;v1ICHIGAN
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the race. He says he will probably make an announcement in a few days.
"Gus" Nom,veiler, ()f the Evansville Furniture Company, has been boomed as an independent candidate for
mayor. He says he is not going to make the race as he
has all he can do to attend to his furniture.
:~dr. Nonweiler says that during the last year their plant only run
one third of the time, bnt that this year they are running
011 almost full time and are enjoying a good business on
their new lines.
"Bert" Nonweilcr, of the Evansville Furniture Company, is buildiug an elegant new home on \Vashington
avenue to cost from $12,000 to $15,000.
William A. Koch, of the Evansville ylctal Bcd Company, is erecting a nice home on Upper Second street
near 1.fadison avenue. ~fr. Koch is one of the most enterprising manufacturers of this city and is interested in
a dozen of the city's leading industries.
The Crown Chair Company, managed by Fred Stoltz,
is "doing a fair business at the present time. The plant is
operated fifty-five hours a week.
ARTISAN
leT & Sons, bookcases, the American Folding Bed Company (now about doubling its plant), the Art Furniture
Company and others, one finds that Sheboygan is very
much on the map.
The Sheboygan Chair Company are having a satisfactory trade, and as one man said to the writer, "making the best chairs on earth for the money." They give
the dealer his money's worth eve·ry time. Several of these
chairs are illustrated in this issue, and more will follow
from time to time. The furniture dealer who has not a
copy of their catalogue is in blissful ignorance of how
much money he is losing every year.
George Spratt &
who know how to
Dealers will find it
the Artisan during
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Company are among the chair makers
make chairs, and how to sell them.
to their interest to watch the pages of
the next few months and see the pic-
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Fred
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Grand Rapids. Mich.
Plans for the factory building for the Hygiene Metal
Cabinet and 1\1anufacturing Company are now ready
according to C. F. Schroeder, the manager of the company and bids will be received in a few days. Construction work will commence as soon as the contract is let.
Benjamin Bosse of the Globe Furniture Company has
returned from Chicago, ,vhere he spent a few days.
The desk company at Henderson, Ky., are erecting
a large addition. Ed\vard Ploeger, the well known furniture manufacturer of this city is interest~d in the Henderson factory.
\N ork on the erection of the new factory for the
Scheloskey Table Company will start in a short time.
Local contractors will build the factory, which will cost
about $18,000.
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Sheboygan,
the Chair Town.
Sheboygan has a national reputation as a chair manufacturing center. The Sheboygan Chair Company, the
Phoenix Chair Company, the Crocker Chair Company,
George Spratt & Company, and the American Manufacturing Company operate large factories, and their goods
find a ready sale not only in every state in the Union, but
in almost every town large enough to need a furniture
store.
Then, ''',Then one adds the Northern Furniture
Company, and the Shehoygan Novel~y Company, Preuss-
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Maker of
Business with the Evansville Metal Bed Company is
very good according to reports from the office of that
company. In fact it is much better than it ''las last year
and the management beilieve it will continue to get better
all the time.
«Gus" Stoltz, of the Stoltz Schmitt Furniture Company, says that March was the biggest month for them
for the past year or so, bnt that April is not ·so good. He
thinks there will be a picking up of the furniture business
after the tariff question has been settled.
J. Zimmer
39 E. Bridge St••
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HIGH GRADE
UPHOLSTERED
FURNITURE
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Writefor
Cut$ and Prices.
Every Piece Guaranteed
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PERFECT.
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hues of their chairs.
Somebody has said that a crank
can never make anything good because his head is wrong,
and can't appreciate a good thing when he sees it. The
opposite is also true. The man \vith the perpetual smile;
the luan who is blessed with a sunny disposition; who
likes to do right and loves the beautiful in all things, is
sure to do his best in whatever he undertakes.
That man
is George Spratt.
It's worth a day's ride to go to the Phoenix Chair
Company and spend an hour with "-fr. Thumas M. Blackstock, president of that company. Although seventy-six
years of age, and having the charge of one of the largest
chair factories in the country on his hands (and the Phoenix under his care has been a success for more than thirty
years), he has always a pleasant greeting, and some wise
connse] for those that will seek it. But it is when he is in
a reminiscent mood that he is most charming, for he has
the rare faculty of remembering everthing, and will entertain you with a treat that you remerriber for years.
His hiography, if he should choose to write it, would be
an interesting contribution to the business literature of
the world.
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Marquetry is used but
south there is practically
in moderation this form
fined tastes. It is seen to
music and parlor cabinets.
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moderately.
In the west and
no call for it. When ~pplicd
of decoration appeals to rethe best advantage on pian0s,
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MICHIGAN
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ARTISAN
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Sectional Bookcase I
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'There is never a year that Rockford does not add to
its manufacturing
industries, and make substantial progress ill the building line. Everybody in the furniture
business knows about Rockford, and its twenty or 1l10re
furniinre factories arc now ranning \vith a fair trade.
.\"early all llla~e semi-annual exhibits in either Chicago
or Grand Rapids, and a number in both cities, and all \vill
have some new and attractive patterns to sho\y in July.
The Rockford
Chair and l'urnilure
Company are
operating
two big' factories,
and report a fair tracle.
Mahogany
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Knobs
making the dealer
a profit of 55%.
All woods and
finishes.
Write
for catalol!ue.
They
will show in Grand Rapids in the K10dgett Building as
usual and since they have added dining tables to their
line their business has largely increased. They are nmv
making china closets, buffets. dining tables, as well as
their usual line of library and combination Dookca:-;csand
fancy furniture.
The Rockford Frame and Fixture Company make
the largest line of fancy furniture in the west outside of
GranciRapids.
They show in Chicago and Grand Rapids,
and \yilt add many beautiful pieces to their July exhibits.
Under the management of ~Irs. Hoffman the company is
prospering.
The \Vest End Furniture Company \vill have some
surprises for the buyers \vhen they visit Grand Rapids in
July. The A.rtisan is not pertllitted to g-o into details at
this time.
The l\lechanics Fnrniture Company \vilt shmv some
new things in dining room and library furniture at 131~)
l\Iichigan Avenue, Chicago.
The Rockford National Fl1rniture Company has been
doing well this year. It is a surprise how rapidly this
company came into prominence.
I-Iardly more than a
yearling, it stands right in the front rank of the Rockford factories.
Library and dining room fnrnitl1re is
their linc~ and it is a good one from start to finish.
Oscar Bergquist, the tHan who runs the R~)Lkford
Desk Company~ says he \vill have a hunch of new things
in July to please the dealers.
1Ic Bergquist has Lcen
making ladies' desks and bookcases so long that he kl1o\VS
how to make them right.
The latest factory to be enlarged is the Union. Their
present plant is large enough to contain a half dozen
onlinary factories and then same.
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Up to date;
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Preferred.
Buyers of furniture are more discriminating in the
purchase of case work with knobs of vvood than formerly,
and are confining such purchases almost exclusively to
mahogany.
Knobs of Oak~ ash, or natural birch or birdseye maple do not satisfy the public so well as brass or
glass handles, either drop or rigid.
On colonial case
\vork in mahogany wooden knobs are very appropriate.
No.
List
lo.F.
Ouarterecl
Order
Oak.
less 35%.
$16,
sample
stack at once.
Humphrey-Widman Bookcase
Company
Detroit,
Michigan
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& CO.
SHEBOYGAN, WIS.
Manufacturers
of Chairs
and Rockers.
A com~lere
lint: of Oak Diners with
quarter sawed veneer backs
and seats.
A large line of
Elm Diners, medium priced.
A select line of Ladies'
Rockers.
Bent and high
arm Rockers
with
soLid
seats, veneer roll seats, cobbler seats and upholstered leather
complete. High
Chairs
and
Children's
Rockers.
You 'l.vill gel
in on the ground
floor when you
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b"y (<om "'.
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No. 542
Oak, Sollo Seat.
Price,
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$17~~~.
No. 540%
Same as No. 542
on I y OLlartereo
Oak
Veneer
Seal.
$18
Po.
DOl.
No,542
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MICHIGAN
The Art of William Morris.
A book entitled "William Morris, His Art, His W ritings and His Pnblic Life," written by Aymer Vallance
was pnblished in London in 1897 by George Bell & Sons.
The author was collecting the material for several years
in which he was helped by William Morris himself but
was not allowed to pnblish the same nnti! after Morris'
death in 1895. Sir Edward Burne-Jones,
Morris' intimate friend and business associate and others also contributed to the book.
The .life of \Villiam :Morris is an interesting onc; his
interest in and appreciation of art and architecture was
shown at an early age. He said that the writings of Sir
Walter Scott did more to arouse that interest than any-
Made by Luce-Redmond
Furniture Co., Big Rapids, Mich.
thing else. His education was received at Oxford where
he met Burne-Jones and formed a lifelong friendship and
whom he became latcr associated with in business.
As
poet, architect, artist, art crit and writer Morris was a
busy man. His study of architecture under George William Street lasted only nine months as he wished to be
unfettered and free to pursue an artistic career. It is
said that he did more to beautify the plain, everyday
home life of the people than any other man of the century.
He decorated household articles to perfection.
The decorative arts through him gained a new impetus and were
carried to a greater perfection than ever before reached.
"Decoration animates architecture and all form with life
and beauty""::""-afact which Morris recognized but he
also realized as an architect that ornament was hut an
accessory to construction of every kind. He believed that
architecture was the basis and crowning point of every
other art.
The firm of Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Company
was formed in 1861 and some years later Mr. Morris
bought out his partners and conducted the business himself. Burne~ Jones still made the cartoons for stained
glass. Mr. :Morris always determined the color scheme
to be used in all the glass work and did a large part of
the work. Dante Gabriel Rosetti was also a member of
ARTISAN
the original firm which was founded without expectation
of financial success but which eventnally became very
prosperous indeed.
Viall papers and tiles were also part of the work undertaken by Morris & Co. The green dining room of the
South Kensington museum was decorated in 1866. The
walls are panelled with wood painted green, rising from
the floor to about half the height of the room. The upper
panels are gilt, the majority of them being decorated
with painted sprays of various trees and flowers while
at intervals are panels with decorative figures.
Morris
said "whatever you have in your rooms, think first of the
walls; for they are that which makes your house and
home; and if you don't make some sacrifice in their favor,
you will find your chambers have a kind of makeshift,
lodging-house look about them, however rich and handsome your movables may be." Morris & Company's
furniture was not of William wlorris' own design. Madox
Brown
and Rosett! both designed fnrniture and there
were others. Morris was wont to regret the decay of the
art of carving at the present day and the difficulty of
obtaining suitable carving for the ornamentation of furniture. Some of the firm's furniture was inlaid or ornamented ,,,,ith paintings.
A great number of private houses were furnished and
decorated by the company and beautiful effects resulted.
As stage decorators, too, Morris & Company were successful. Settings for two plays by Henry Arthur Jones
were painted. A special factory for the weaving of tapestry, carpets and ordinary shuttle weaving was provided
and in dyeing Mr. Morris produced beantiful colors.
In decoration Mr. Morris used human figures largely
and also adapted floral and vegetable forms. He used
the acanthus leaf and said that uno form of ornament
had gone so far or lasted as long as that, it has been
infinitely varied, used by almost all following styles in
one shape or another, and performed many other offices
besides its original one." Morris' creative genius brought
the design to a magnificent development which seems to
have redeemed it and given it a splendid vitality.
The
snake's head or fritillery seen in the grass fields by riversides in England in spring was much used. The tulip
and rose, columbine,
china-aster,
sunflower-almost
everything can be included in the list. The geranium is
not found because Morris thought it ugly. He kept away
from stereotyped forms such as ornament of the Louis
XIV, XV and XVI periods which he considered were
shapeless and senseless elaboration of nothing at all, while
flowers have an actual existence.
In William Morris'
art the Gothic influence can be traced. He is classed as
a lineal descendant of the Gothic artists.
A strain of
Persian and Byzantine origin is also evident; the blending
of these elements give a certain complexion to any given
design, onc element then another predominating.
The
man's own individuality was always apparent and distinguished his work from all others. His imitators were
many. Morris did all his own designing as he said that
it was hard to get original work and he was a great producer.Perfection
in everything turned out of his factory
was always considered most important.
MICHIGAN
Spaniards Prize Catalognes Highly.
A. P. Underwood, the secretary of the New Orleans
Furniture J\Ianl1factl1ring company, travels quite extensively in Mexico, Cuba, Porto Rico and other countries
,",vhereinSpanish is the language of commerce. The company issues very large catalogues printed in Spanish,
which the people receiving the same prize greatly. These
are carefully preserved and studeied constantly.
\Vhen
supplanted with new editions the old catalogues are preserved for the information contained therein.
Ivlr. Unden~!ood anticipates the overthrow of the Cuban government within a year and the restoration of the United
States as the future ruling po\ver of the island.
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Additional "Hullel" Orders.
If it were not for the large number of oruers for
hotel furniture that have been placed with the manufacturers of Grand Rapids since the opening of the year,
business would be uncommonly dull. Among the recent
arrivals of buyers for hotels ,vas H. E. Karns, of the Denver Dry Goods company, escorting Sam Dutton, of the
Albany hotel, who bought a large lot of choice furniture
to be used in the Elms, at Excelsior Springs, l\Io. The
house contains eighty bedrooms and the cost of furnishing throughout is $50,000. A considerable part oi this
sum was invested in Grand Rapids furniture.
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"Run the Shop."
One of the boldest store robbers operated in an Oklahoma town recently. He entered the store one morning,
The proprietor talked \v1th him a few minutes and then
told him he must vacate, as he was going to lock up the
place and make a trip in to the country.
After he had
gone, the thief broke open the store, and stood behind the
counter, selling goods for cash. He refused credit to
anyone.
After he had operated for sonIC time, he left a
boy in charge with about a dollar in change, and departed
fori/dinner."
He did not return, Just how much he got
is not kncnvn.-Ex.
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Five Thousand Turks Slaughtered.
In connection with the distu rbance in the realm of
the Sultan, a furniture merchant in a western city hung
a large sign in one of his show windows upon which was
painted <lFive Thousand Turks Slaughtered."
People
rushed to the window to learn the cause of the carnage,
and in small type read the proprietor's announcement that
he would slaughter 5,000 Turkish rugs within sixty days.
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Having advanced freight rates to cover the shortage
in their receipts since the two cent-a-mile laws for transporting passengers in many states took effect, railroad
magnates are now busily engaged in the courts and legislatures in efforts to restore the three cent per mile rate
for passengers.
The money is needed to pay dividends
011 watered stock.
7
ARTISAN
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The "ELI" FOLDING BEDS ~~Sfrl~,'1..~~~
No Stock complete without the Eli Beds in Manttll and Upright.
ELI 0 • M ILLER &. CO.
ON SALE
IN FURNITURE
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Evansville. Indiana
Wtiteforcutsandpric~
EXCHANCE,
CHICACO.
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I UNION
FURNITURE
CO.
ROCKFORD, ILL.
China Closets
Buffets
Bookcases
We lead in Style, ConQrn&on
and Finish. See our Catalogue.
Our line on permanent exhibition 7th Floor, New Manufact~
urers' Building, Grand Rapids.
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I M ~!:eri~
!!.!!te.
se
I Hotel PantJind
!:!.?u~
(European
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Plan)
Rates
$1.00
and Up.
GRAND RAPIDS. MICH.
The Noon Dinner Served at the Panilind for 50c
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THE FINEST IN THE WORLD.
J. BOYD PANTLIND, Prop.
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MICHIGAN
ARTISAN
Upon the receipt of a request from any responsible dealer, catalogues illustrating, pricing and describing the Qlick Selling Lines of the Big Six Car Loading Association will be forwarded.
THE KARGES FURNITURE CO.
Manufacturers
-of Chamber
Suites.. Wardrobes,
Chiffoniers,
Odd
Dressers,
Chifforobes.
THE BOSSE FURNITURE CO.
Manufacturers of Kitchen Cabinets, K. D. Wardrobes,
in imitation golden oak. plain oak and quartered oak.
Cupboards
and Safes,
THE WORLD FURNITURE CO.
Manufacturers
of Mantel and Upright Folding Beds, Buffets, Hall Trees, .
China Closets, Combination Book and Library Cases.
THE GLOBE FURNITURE CO.
Manufacturers of Sideboards in plain oak, imitation quartered oak and solid
quartered oak, Chamber Suites, Odd Dressers, Beds and Chiffoniers in imitation
quartered oak, imitation mahogany and imitation golden oak.
THE BOCKSTEGE FURNITURE CO.
Manufacturers
Tables.
of the HSuperior"
Line of Parlor, Library, Dining and Dressing
THE METAL FURNITURE CO.
Manufacturers of "Hygiene"
Springs and Cots.
Guaranteed
Brass and Iron Beds, Cribs,
Wire
Made by The Karges Furniture
Co.
The Big Six Manufacturers of Evansville possess unequaled facilities for shipping goods promptly.
All have sidings in or adjoining their factories and cars can be
dispatched direct over the great railroad systems of the East, South and West .
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MICHIGAN
9
ARTISAN
Made by Globe Furniture
;' Made by V\lorld Furniture
Co.
Co.
Made by Bockstege Furniture
Co.
Made by The Bocbtege Furniture
Co.
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10
MICHIGAN
ARTISAN
tables for the king, and the record of his charges for the
same
is still extant. He worked for King John, of France,
"The interest of wood carving is not confinedto its
and
accompanied
him to England when he was taken
actual practice; the history of the art as revealed in the
prisoner by Edward the Black Prince.
While he was
annals of its craftsmen is intensely inte~esting. We are
lodged in the tower of London, Girard made him a new
led to it by the study of examples of different styles,
periods and countries; it takes us into many curious by-. chair, and there is also a record of a carved wooden
table made by this artist for Charles V of France. This
ways of history, and this is especially the case with
was during the time that the Gothic style prevailed, but
French wood carving.
the wood carver had an equal prominence through the
France has always been one of the leading countries
following period when that most beautiful style of wood
in art, and this particular craft has been encouraged and
carving known as the early French renaissance was perfostered there. The history of the joiners, carpenters,
fected, lasting from Francis 1. days until Henry IV. This
and cabinet~makers in the middle ages is, in France, also
the history of wood carvers, as for a long time these style, the outcome Df the revelation of the treasures of
crafts were combined. The craftsmen were found in close Italy to the eyes of the French artist, was quickly assimilated by the artists and craftsmen who, grafting Italian
connection with the court of the king and the courts of
his vassals. In a very interesting book called "Le ideas on to their own individuality, produced the most
exquisite work. All the time the artists and craftsmen
l\Ieuble," written by l\:fonsieur de Champeau, he tells how
the furniture of those days followed the kiug and his \-vere encouraged and honored by the kings of France,
court from one royal palace to another.
The beds wert: lodged in their palaces; having rooms assigned them in
evidently filling a position in
packed in large coffers, the plate, rich hangings, and all the Louvre in Paris,and
society quite unknown to any of the present English cabmovable furniture of the rooms were stDwed in large
inet makers or carvers.
During this period are found
chests. Beds, chairs, tables, armoires, lecterns or lutrins,
such famous men as Germain PilIon and Jean Goujon,
as they were called, aU were decorated with carvings or
and their eminence continued through the French styles
rnetal work, and they were generally unique specimens,
of the three Louis, until the art of the wOvd carver gradnot produced in hundreds like modern furniture suites.
ually declined before the introduction of the marqueterie
They were real valuables, only found in king's and noblemen's houses, or the houses of wealthy merchants.
1\10n- and ormolu worker. Furniture was decorated with china
plaques, precious stones, and veneers of precious woods,
sieur de Champeau gives the name of a famous craftsman,
until most of the work of the artist craftsman went comRichard d' Aragon, a joiner as well as a wood carver,
pletely out of fashion during the terrible years of the
who lived early in the fourteenth century, among whose
French revolution, dying for want of the patronage it had
works were a chest for Philippe V of France, to keep
hitherto received in such abundance.
the royal robes in, and another for the queen. There are
All this art history is not confined to Paris.
North,
still a few of these early chests to be seen in the collections in Paris, one at the Musee Carnavalet, and some in south, east, and west France was full of art centers, such
as Lyons, Orleans, Rheims, and Rouen; where craftsthe Musee de Cluny. In 1352 there lived a painter known
men worked in their own style and never thought of
as Girard d'Orleans, who was also a wood carver, cabicopying a dead one; never merely reproducing the art of
net maker and joiner.
lIe made chests and chairs and
the past as is done so much in modern English workshops, but studying these former styles carefully as a
Manul .. ""
tho
basis on which to develop their own ideas, until they too
Largest LIDe of
had evolved a style on which their successors could
build.
All this can be seen by any wood carver who, when
on his travels, will take the trouble to study the subject
both in the museums and in the private collections of
France, and the student will be well repaid by the added
interest with which he will return to his own efforts in
the craft that has given material for such a noble chapin the United. Scates,
sllitable for S n day
ter
in the history of art.
Schools, Halls, Steamen;;and all pllblic resorts.
The above is taken from a book called "Some Arts
and Crafts" for which seven writers contributed, discusWe also manufactllre
Brass Trimmed I r 0 n
iug a number of subjects including furniture and decoraBeds, Spring Beds, Cots
tion, wood carving, art of enamelling, book-binding and
and Cribs in a large
variety.
other topics. The book is in the Ryerson Public Library,
Grand Rapids.
Send for Catalogue
Wood Carving in History.
r-;.
rOlDlnQ
("AIDS
II
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and PriceJ to
KAUffMAN
MfG. CO.
ASHLAND,
1-
OHIO
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The proposition pending in congress to levy a tax of
five per cent upon mahogany logs, equal to about $5 per
M. does not afford unalloyed pleasure to the manufacturers of medium and high grade furniture.
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MICHIGAN
11
ARTISAN
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Co.
Furniture
Michigan
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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN
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M-anufacrurers ot
CHAMBER
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FURNITURE
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Mahogany,
Quartered
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and Plain Oak.
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Odd Dressers in Birch and Imitation Mahogany.
The best goods for
the price on [he market.
Write for
I
prices.
No, 116
No. 116.
~------•
--------------
Not uGood Enorugh."
A man in Chicago said to the I writer, HThe cheapest
thing that will ans\ver is good enQugh." 'That man has
shut the door of improvement in hip face. \Vhat's the use
of striving for anything better if his position is correct?
Under such teaching nothing but [stagnation would prevail. Happily, such men are few ih number and their influence is limited. These thoughts iare suggested because
quite frequently we see a piece of beautiful furniture with
the dra\ver front's marred anti scratched by reason of
loose pulls draping down. One s'uch scratciting will do
more damage than the cost of a full set of pulls having the
Grand Rapids Brass Company's lirfo-Kum-Loose"
attachments.
No manufacturer
of furpiture having drawers
(either cheapJ medium or high I grade furniture)
can
afford to send out a piece of furnitttre without this attachment. The merchant cannot affotd to accept a piece of
furniture that does not have this I attachment, and every
purchaser of a piece of furniturF should be instructed
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about this. For it Saves the piece of furniture from marring, saves money, and an endless amount of trouble and
explaining.
Besides all this, the manufacturer
does not
have to pay one cent for these little fasteners. The Grand
Rapids Brass company have made millions of these fasteners, and the demand for them is steadily growing.
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A Novel Gift Distribution.
One thousand clollars were distributed by a merchant
doing business in an eastern city a few months ago as
follows: For ,every t\~Tenty-five cent purchase in any department a voting coupon was given. If the holder wished to enter the contest he wrote his name on the coupon
or the name of any individual or institution he desired to
favor.
On a bulletin
board were the names of several
charitable, beneficiary and religious societies, in addition
to the names of private persons.
The sum of $1,000 was
divided into twenty-five prizes ranging from $150 to $5.
Of the names on the list the twenty-five highest in numbers were awarded $1 each at the dose of each week.
The contest, which lasted sixty days excited a great deal
of interest, and proved profitable to the merchant on
account of largely increased sales.
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Grandeur,
*
Elegance
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and-Grace.
The style of Lonis XIV is noted for its grandeur in
ornament;
of Louis XV for its elegance and of Louis
XVI for its grace.
12
MICHIGAN
EVRNSVILLL
Evansville, Ind" April 20.--Business with the furniture manufacturers
of Evansville and vicinity contilU.1CS
on the upward grade.
The month of lvlarch was unusually active and while April has not been quite so
good the manufacturers say it has 5hO\"'"11 some improvement. Crop conditions in this section of the country are
quite promising and the farmers are planting liberally.
The retail trade is shmving signs of picking up. Reports
from the southwestern states are encouraging and from
all indications trade during the summer and fall months
will be much better than last year.
The \Visconsin Chair Company (a new concern that
has been in operation here for a few months) have added
fifty men to their pay rolls. They report that they have
been doing a very nice business since starting.
The new furniture exchange building at the corner of
Fourth and Vine streets is about completed, and by the
time this letter is published the building will probably be
occupied. It is a handsome structure, and reflects great
credit upon the furniture manufacturers of this city, and
marks a new era in the industry.
It is made of pressed
brick and stone and is seven stories high. The building
is modern in every particular, and it has required about
a year for its construction.
The manufacturers
have
selected their floor space, and are moving in their goods
where they will be exhibited every day in the year. The
fifth and sixth floors lTave been selected by the factories
in the Big Six Carloading Association, while the third and
fourth floors have been reserved for the manufacturers
here who are not in the combination, such as the Crescent; the Specialty; the Evansville; the Indiana; the
Uuited States; the Stoltz-Schmitt Company and several
others.
The fourth floor has been reserved for chair
and other lines. The goods exhibited from the factories
outside of the Big Six Carloading Association will be
known from this time on as the Crescent City l\t1ixed
Car Association, and this name promises to become well
known all over the United Stales. The front part of the
building on each floor is devoted to office space, and all
of the offices have been rented by lawyers, and professional men of this city. The front part of the first floor
is occupied by a local bank just formed. The building is
well lighted, well heated and centrally located, and the
manufacturers are justly proud of their work. The following well known furniture men served on the building
committee, and had charge of the supervision of the
work: Edward Ploeger, of the Bosse Furniture Company; A. F. Karges, of the Karges Furniture Company;
H. H. Schu, of the Crescent Furni~ure Company; Henry
Rusche, of the Specialty Furniture Company; Benjamin
Bosse, of the Globe Furniture Company; and William A.
Koch, of the Evansville Metal Bed Company. The plans
ARTISAN
for conducting the building are not yet definitely completed, but it is kno\""n that it \,~rillbe open every business
clay in the year. In some places where manufacturers
give exhibits, the exchange building is practically vacated
after the exhibition, but it \-villnot be so in this city. The
exhibits will be seen the year round, and buyers who
come here may have the advantage of seeing all the furniture and stove lines of the city in one building.
Henry Rusche, of the Specialty Furniture Company
was in St. Louis a few days ago on business.
II. H. Schu, of the Crescent Furniture Company
says business is about the same as it was last month. He
MadQ by Richmond Chair Co., Richmond, Ind.
says that while it is not as good as it ought to be, he
looks for improvement in trade· from this time on.
The plants of the Big Six Carloading Association are
running on full time, and a good many orders are being
received, and night shifts are at work in the plants of
the Globe, the World and the Bosse. Edward Ploeger,
of this company, says April, thus far, is a better month
than April of last year; he also states that during the
month of March the Globe and the Bosse broke all previous records in shipments, and if this keeps up during
the balance of the year, it will mean a banner year for
these h'\lO factories.
:Mr. Ploeger says that trade is improving right along, and he is highly pleased at the outlook.
John Schwann, of the Eli D. Miller Company says
the folding .bed business is picking up nicely. One week
this month orders for something like 100 folding beds
\-vere received. The factory is operated on full time, and
the outlook for the future is bright .
. Eli D. Miller, the well known manufacturer, is boomed by his many friends as republican candidate for mayor.
He has not yet made up his mind whether he will make
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MICHIGAN
ARTISAN
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THE BIG WHITE SHOP I
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We FurniJh Every Article of Printing
Nee~ed by Business Men
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WHITE
PRINTING
COMPANY
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IfS, 110, and 112 North Division Street,
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Grand Rapids, Mich.
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rTHE ~IG WHITE SHOP]
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MICHIGAN
ESTABLISHED
1880
~UeI.15 ...eD lilT
MICHIGAN
ON THE
O ......ICE-108.110.
ARTISAN
10TH AND
112 NORTH
CO.
25TH OP' EACH
DIVISION
ST.,
EtiTERED IN THE POSTOFFlCE AT OIiAND R,o,PIDS, MICH.,
MONTH
GRAND
R .....
PIDS.
A8 SECOND ClUB
MICH.
MATTER,
An enterprising dealer purchased the factory stock
of a cross roads manufacturer operating a plant with an
annual capacity of $10,000. The goods purchased may
have heen valued at $2,000 or $3,000. During the following three months the dealer advertised the stock for sale,
using full pages in the newspapers and hundreds of yards
of bill hoards.
The stuff was low priced and the lot
should have closed out in one week's time. Probably it
was, as the dealer sells fully $150,000 worth of furniture
annually.
The sale of the factory stock lasted three
months, hut the goods furnished were not those of the
cross roads manufacturer.
It is a question whether such
sales are profitable in the long run.
+ +
The manufacturers of case goods will meet in Chicago early in the coming month to consider prices and
other matters pertaining to the merchandising of furniture during the remainder of the year. It is hoped that
definite information in regard to the effect of the tariff
bill, pending action by congress, will be obtainable before
the meeting of the association.
+ +
Confidence is inspired in the mind of a customer
when he examines an article bearing a trade mark. He
takes no chances on getting the worst of a bargain.
He
knows what he is buying.
+
+
The merchant who courageously uses money as a
means to attract people to his store will reap a greater
reward than the man who stands guard over his wallet.
+
+
Spreading the message and taking the goods needed
by the people economically to the point desired should be
the aim of advertisers.
+ +
All persons are influenced in buying the things they
need by friendly feelings toward the dealer or the manufacturer.
+ +
In "doing things" many merchants make mistakes,
hut avoid the greatest mistake of all-doing
nothing.
+
+
The wise merchant creates a demand for things he
has to sell by strong, persistent adverti§ing,
ARTISAN
"Cut Out" the Wabash.
Following the reading of an interesting history of the
business of manufacturing
furniture in Grand Rapids,
before the' local historIcal society, on April 21, \;VilIiam
V/ic1dicomb recalled the organization of the first railway
tariff commission the year 18'76. The cheap bedsteads
manufactured by the Widdicomb Furniture company were
changed from the third to the first class in the first rate
~heet brought out by the commission and if enforced
\vould have proven disastrous to Mr. \Viddicomb's company. Fortified by facts to justify his claim Mr. Widdicomb visited the general freight agent of the Lake Shore
railroad, at Cleveland, a.nd persuaded that official of the
justice of his request for a reversal of the order of the
commission so far as it affected the business of the Widdicomb Furniture
Company. The New York Central
railroad had ordered that their local rate be added to the
local rate of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern on
shipments to eastenl points, and IVIr. Widdicomb proceeded from Cleveland to Buffalo where he met the general freight agent of the New York Central railroad and
presented his claims for a modification of the rate. On
the following day the concession requested was accorded
Mr. Widdecomb and he started for home very much
elated in spirits over his successful mission. At Toledo
he sought an interview with the general freight agent of
the Wabash railroad, and was permitted to enter the
office of a pompous and blustering official. uI have no
time to spend in bothering with you or your complaints,"
he assured J\.fr. Widdicomb.
"Very well, sir," the latter
remarked and withdrew.
"From that day to this," Mr.
\Viddicomb continued, "we have not sought for the trade
of dealers doing business in towns on the lines of the
\Vabash and have never routed a shipment over that
railroad."
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Graud Rapids Furuiture
Club.
On Saturday evening, May 1, the manufacturers
of
furniture residing in Grand Rapids will hold a meeting
for the purpose of considering plans for the conduct of
the furniture club,
The rooms have been fitted up in black ash panels,
with different rooms in an individual finish. T~ere are
reading rooms, large and small dining rooms, reception
room and other conveniences in arrangement.
There is
direct connection with the Pantlind hotel and an entrance
from the street. The former connection will be of great
convenience when social gatherings are held in which dinner service will be a feature. The club 'i\Till be tendered
to the use of buyers free during their stay in Grand
Rapids.
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A Louis XV Htraveling bed" was disposed of recently
in New York. It is both beautiful and curious and recalls a period in history when notables carried their own
beds on journeys.
The fram-e is of rosewood and is fitted with attachments of solid silver, permltting the taking apart and erecting the piece easily, It is beautifully
carved.
MICHIGAN
15
ARTISAN
to the people in as plain English as' we could use that
t.his \vas to be their store, and that everywhere in it they
were to be at home; that they \vere to be at liberty to go
and to come exactly as they liked.
[am happy to say
that they have taken us at our \vonl, and in doing so have
shown themselves most appreciative
and most orderly.
In the t\VO \vceks and a little more that the place has been
open we consider that ' ...·e have jumped into a business
which is fllily twice as great as \ve expected it to be. \Ve
mark all our merchandise
in plainfigllres,
from which
we never deviate, and the best advertising that we have is
Store Features a Surprise to the English People.
In the short time Selfridge's establishment has been
open in London, the public has thronged to it and already
hvice the amount of business reckoned on in advance has
been dOlle. The English marveled at the comforts and
conveniences prepared for their use in the \va)' of rest
rooms, a lounge rOOm for men, a well-stocked library,
postoffice, passenger ticket office for steamship or raihvay
travel, a theater ticket office, a bank and a restaurant.
J\1ore original than the::e, hmvever, arc the fouf
'(national" rooms-American,
colonial, French, and German.
Mr. Selfridge declares that the big
store is British in the sense that it is intended primarily for the people of the United
Kingdom, though American in its general
plan and organization.
The employes, so
far as is possible in consistence \vith the object in view, are British.
But he aims to
make the establishment cosmopolitan, catering to the needs of all the nationalities that
meet in London.
In each of the four rooms
last mentioned there \vill be a special attendant of the nati<mality for \vhich it is named.
The furniture, fitting-s and decorations of
each room are also distinctive.
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The English have learned to use the elevators and it is said more business is done
on all the other floors than the ground floor.
The art of window dressing as exemplified
by Selfridge's is a revelation to the people
in London.
The air of hospitality is offensive to the Englishman
in trade, who impresses a foreigner with the idea that he is
expected to buy it he even enters the store.
Americans abroad can have their mail
addressed to Selfridge's before their arrival
and after departure have it forwarded.
The
sending and delivery of dutiable goods is
another specialty of the company. All these
expenses can be paid in advance saving a lot
illade
of trouble and annoyance to American Cl1St.omers. 1f1'. Selfridge offers to send every
young v"roman in this country! a small sterling silver key
provided that she ,viII "rear it on her bracelet as a bangle,
The idea is that the store is the key to London for every
American who 'will use it.
Mr. Selfridge said: "The public has taken hold of the
idea of the store vvith rernarkable alacrity.
\Ve have said
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Henry
Schmit
HOPKll"S
AND
8
HARRIET
Cin(linnati.
Co.
51'S.
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Ohio
maken, of
Uphol&tered Furniture
fo'
LODGE and PULPIT, PARLOR,
LIBRARY, HOTEL and
CLUB ROOM
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LItre Furniture Contpany,
the complaints
of
OUf
Grand Rapids, Mich.
competitors
that we are selling be-
Jow the line of profit"
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Baby Day.
A prominent firm in a western city has an annual day
for babies, \vhen prizes are awarded to babies under one
year of age, "Vlhoare weighed at their store on baby day.
At the last distribution $12.00 in cash was paid to the
mother of the heaviest baby; $10 to the mother of the
lightest baby; $7 each to the second heaviest and the
second lightest babies.
To twins five dollar gold pieces
were given and a mother with triplets was rewarded with
$25 for her achievement
Every baby weighed was
gi ven a doll and photographs
were distributed
to all
mothers \vho asked for them. The company's store was
thronged during the last baby day, and the results proved
the value of the scheme.
16
MICHIGAN
ARTISAN
He Wanted Grand Rapids "Cheap" Furniture.
\Vhile sojourning in Pamama a few weeks ago Th1r.
Foote! the treasurer of the Grand"Rapids Chair company,
met an American gentlemen who had spent many years on
the isthmus.
During one of their many conversations
the Panaman related an experience last year in New Yark
as follows: "I had not visited the states, during the preceding twenty-five years and the changes made in the
cities I visited were simply astonishing.
I had heard of
Grand Rapids and its fame as a furniture producing center
,
Grand Rapids Caster Cup Co.
the Berkey & Gay Furniture company, Grand Rapids,
uses a little book in which is noted each day the quantity
of goods shipped, to whom shipped with the total for the
month to date, The record extends back nearly twenty
years and at a glance it can be seen how the business of
today compares with any corresponding day during all
the period,
After running over the little book a few
times :Mr. Covode remarked: "Business with us has been
very satisfactory.
The first three months show a marked
improvement over the first three months of last year and
compares favorably \vith other years. \Ve could have
done more, but under the circumstances we are very well
satisfied,
2 Parkwood 4ve., Grand Rapids, Mich.
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We are now putting out the best Casler Cups with cork bases ever
offered to the trade. These are finished in Golden Oak and White Maple
in a light finish. Thelie ~oods are admirable for polished flOOTSand rurn.
iture rests. T hey will not sweat or mar.
II
PRICES:
I
Size2};( inches ••.... $4.00
Size 2% inches······
5.00
Try a Sample Order.
~-
per hundred
per hundred
F. 0, B. Grand Rapids.
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Cheap Freights on Bedding Malerials,
When the Union and Central Pacific railroads were
opened for business between Omaha and San Francisco,
naturally freight rates on all classes of shipments were
very high, Prior to that time dealers located in the Pacific
states obtained supplies of furniture and kindred goods
by water transportation
from points all the Atlantic
coast. \Vith the opening of railroads the business men
of that section sought markets nearer home, and St.
Louis, Chicago and Grand Rapids secured a large volume
of new trade which the manufacturers
of those cities
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and when I called upon a dealer during my stay in New
York and stated that I wished to purchase cheap furniture manufactured in Grand Rapids he informed me that
he could not fill my order, Naturally I desired to know
\""hy he could not furni8h the goods I needed, when he
said: HCheap furniture is not made in Grand Rapids.
Twenty-five years ago Grand Rapids was noted for the
cheapness of the goods turned out by a number of her
manufacturers, but all such have gone out of business or
ill1proved the quality of their product. I purchased Grand
Rapids goods medium priced."
Twenty-five years ago seven manufacturing houses of
Grand Rapids were selling eight three piece hardwood
chamber suites with 30x24 German plates for $100 and
other goods at relatively low prices. The business was
not profitable as \-vas proven by the failure of the Worden
Furniture company, Kent Furniture company, Stockwell
& Darragh, the Peninsnlar Furniture company, Luther &
Sumner and others of their kind.
@)
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Ma.de Nelson-Matter
Furniture
Co. Grand Rapids, :M1oh.
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Daily Shipments of Furniture.
In a large manufacturing business it is of the utmost
importance that a close record be made of daily shipments of goods. Not only is such a record necessary
for the use of the accounting department, but the officials
charged with conducting the correspondence involved in
the transaction of the business of such an establishment
must have reliable data at hand from day to day in order
to perform their duties properly.
Secretary Covode of
retain.
l.;arge ql1ainties of hair, tow, ticking and other
materials used by mattress makers were shipped to Grand
Rapids had stowed away in the drawers of bureaus, chiffoniers, bookcases and dressers for shipment as a part of
stocks of furniture purchased by the dealers of the coast,
The plan was followed successfully for a number of years.
@)
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The liberty to express one's talents in ways that serve
the common good, is a great inheritance.
MICHIGAN
Inset
ARTISAN
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•
Woodard Furniture Company
OWOSSO
MICHIGAN
Manufacturers of HiS!>.Grade
Medium Priced
BEDROOM
FURNITURE
In all the Fancy Woods and
Finishes.
Line especially strong
on
Circassian Walnut
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New catalog just out.
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If you have not received one send for it.
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VISIT
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CHARLOTTE
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AT ANY TIME
I,
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GRAND RAPIDS
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Furniture
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Exhibition Buildinll
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CHICAGO
!,
192 Mivbillan Avenue
II
NQ.892.
48,,30.
CHARLOTTE
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MAKES GOOD
TABLE S
CHARLOTTE ~[FG. CO.
CHARI,OTTE. MICH.
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•
MICHIGAN
Inset
ARTISAN
------------------
I at a profit for the dealer.
We make Buffets that sell
Our 186 shown here ~
Is a good one.
others.
Refer
1909 Catalogue,
We have man}'
to our Janua-r'j',
if you hm/c none
drop us a postal.
Manistee Manufacturing
===Company===
MANISTEE. MICHIGAN
~_._---------_._-------
Buffet No. 186
Selected Quartered White Oak
Golden Finish. Rubbed and Polished.
French Beveled Mirror, 12x36.
Size of top, 218:46. Height, 58 inches.
Swell top and swell top drawers.
One drawer lined.
Price
$18.00
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When in Doubt Where to Buy
the Best Birdseye Maple Goods
Hitch Your Wagon
to a Star
If a price of $11.25 for a fnll serpentine birdseye dresser, 22x28 plate, 40 inch
base, is of interest to you ask us about it, and
you will thank your lucky stars for writing us,
for you have never seen a better value.
A postal brings our catalog promptly.
Michigan Star Furniture Co.
No. 500 DRESSER.
Qtd. Oak, Mahogany and Birdseye Maple.
•
Top 22x46. Mirror :!:8xM.
Zeeland, Mich.
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MICHIGAN
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TWO WINNERS IN VARNISH!
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Inset
ARTISAN
THE EMBLEM OF SUPERIORITY
I
This is the verdict of the furniture manufacturer who KNOWS
Paradox Rubbing
Is the best high-grade, quick-rubbing varnish ever produced.
every day and last coat rubbed safely in three days.
Can be re-coated
Ti- Ki- Lac
Is our high-grade first or second coat varnish.
Dries hard to sandpaper over
night. Last coat can be rubbed in twenty-four hours.
The man who KNOWS is the man who WINS
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Acme White Lead and Color Works
!
~-----------------------------------------"--------------------------"
VARN1SH
DEPARTMENT.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN
---- ....•
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The LEONARD Furniture Exhibition Buildin!
Is rapidly :filling up. Some of the finest lines in the country \vill exhibit here by
manufacturers
desiring space in a central location, cheap insurance, R. H__siding
and team track at floor level; no smashing of gcods by clumping them on the siele
\valk and then down a chute. Elevator and electric light service first class. No
danger of losing your s,amples.by l~re just when YOti. need them most, as the property is sprinkled. In addition to all these advantages there is a GREA T SAVING
IK EXPEKSE caused by our lmv rates. \Vrite to
C. H, LEONARD,
LEONARD
EXHIBITION
P. S.
BUILDING
Do it
1107-'../
CO.,
PRES.
-
GRAND
RAPIDS,
MICH.
or you may be too late.
"---------------------------------------------------'
Inset
M I CHI
GA N
ART
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The magnet that draws
dealers from everywhere
The magnetic lines shown constitute
the magnet. Is your line one of them?
!
,
Manufacturers'rx~i~ition Duil~in~Co.'
1319 Michigan Avenue, CHICAGO
~
MICHIGAN
17
ARTISAN
·-Luce~RedmondChair Company, Ltd.
BIG RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
L
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Office Chairs, Dining Chairs. Reception Chairs and Rockers. Slipper Rockers.
Colonial Parlor Suites. Desk and Dressing Chairs.
_____
In Dark and Tuna Mahogany,
Birch, Bird'Hye
Maple, Quartered
Oak and Circassian W_a_ln_u_!.
..
-------------...., ,
Sligh's Select Styles Sell and Satisfy
MANY NEW FEATURES ADDED FOR SPRING SEASON.
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EVERYTHING
FOR THE BEDROOM (Medium and Fine Quality).
Office and Salesroom corner Prescott and Bucha:Jan
Streets. Grand Rapids, Mich. "\Tritefor catalogue.
------_._------_.
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18
MICHIGAN
ARTISAN
~--_._----.----------------_.
RICHMOND CHAIR CO,
RICHMOND.
"INDIANA
DOUBLE CANE LINE
"SLIP
SEATS" - the
latest and best method of
double .. seating.
Catalogues to the Trade.
J...-
_
A. B. PULLMAN.
Cabinet Maker and Inventor
of the Sleeping Coach.
During the delivery of an address recounting tl,e
history of the business of manfucturing
furniture recently, William Widdicomb referred briefly to the fact
that the younger Pullman brothers manufactured furniture to order in Grand Rapids a number of years previous
to 1860. The brothers were good workmen and a few
pieces of their product are still in use in the court house
of Kent county. The sleeping coach was the invention of
A. B. Pullman, it is said upon the suggestion of his wife.
Travel by railroad train at night was a hardship before
the introduction of the steeping car and it was owing to
an experience of Mrs. Pullman on a night train that
Mr. Pullman began to study plans for a coach that would
eventually render so much comfort to mankind and perpetuate his name. "Db, dear," Mrs. Pullman is reported
to have said, "if the seats of these cars could be placelJ
so that one could lie down, it would be finch easier to
tr::-.vt! at night."
}J r. Pullman's practical mind re-:ognb:er.. the value of
the ~l1g;:tt>tion instantly and before t!le E:.~htpa,.;sed
away he had decided that two seats of a coach could be
set face to face and that the space between could be filled
with a cushion, thereby affording the length and width of
an ordinary bcd. The division of a car into compartments, l\.fr. Pullman considered an easy matter, and-l\frs.
Pullman is credited with making the suggestion that the
mattresses be constructed in sections.
The writer remembers distinctly the first Pullman
coaches put into service in_the United States. They were
used on the Chicago, Alton & SI. Louis railroad between
Chicago and St. Louis. The sides of the coaches were
lettered:
"A. B. Pullman Palace Sleeping Car."
There was nothing palatial in their appearance or fitments. A fair degree of comfort was afforded to travel-
ers, but the luxurious accommodations of the Pullman
coach of today had not been dreamed of. George M. Pullman, a financier of ability, joined his brother in the building and operation of coaches after their practicability
had been proven and the poor cabinet maker of Grand
Rapids gained not only millions but fame and the gratitude of the traveling public.
*
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Culling Stock.
Manufacturers are cutting stock for the fall season of
trade and will fill their warerooms in anticipation of an
active market. Owing to the burdens to be imposed on
the industry under the revenue bill pending action in congress, prices will necessarily be higher. vVise dealers will
order stocks before the prices shall be marked up.
*
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Light and graceful designs won favor with the public
during the Jacobean period.
,
STAR CASTER CUP CO.
NORTH
U~ION
STREET,
(PATENT
GRAND
RAPIDS,
MICH.
AI"I"LIll:D FOR)
We have adopted celluloid as a base for our Caster Cups, making the
best cur on the market.
Celluloid is a gTeat improvement Over bases
made 0 other material.
When it is neceSSary to move a piece !>upporterl
by cups with celluloid bases it can be done with ease, as the bases aTe peTfectly smooth. Celluloid does not sweat and by the use of these cups
tables are never marred_ These cups are finished In Golden Oak and
While Maple, finished light. If you will try a sampli! order of Ule{le
goods 'fIO'U will desire to handle them in quantities_
PRICES: Size 2~ inches ..•. ··$5.50 pet' hundred.
Size 2~ inches ......
4.50 per hundred.
f, 0,
Grana Rapids.
TRY.d. S.il.MPLE ORDER.
a.
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MICHIGAN
19
ARTISAN
•
Hafner Fumiture Compan;l I
ESTABLISHED
2620
Dearborn
St.,
1873.
CHICAGO
Couches
Box Couches
Adjustable Lounges
Davenports
Bed Davenports
Leather Chairs
and
Rockers
CATALOG
UPON
REQUEST
Samples shown at Manufacturers' Furniture Exchange, Wabash Ave, and
14th St., Chicago.
Government Contracts
J chn Hoult, manager of
returned fro111 \Vashington
called by N. Snellenberg &
No. 3106 COUCH-Size 76 inches long an!=l30 inches wide. A luxurious couch with a
graceful gondola shape. The wide frame is elegantly decorated with rococo mouldings and
carved ornaments.
Has heavy winged clawfoot legs
Frame is made of kiln dried hardwood
lumber beautifully finished in American golden grained quartered oak. The upholstering is of
the small diamond tufted style with deep snake ruffles on the sides. The filling is of tow with
hair top. Hafner warranted steel spring construction having 28 springs in the seat and 9 in the
head. Heavy white canvas duck bottom. Shipped K. D. legs off and weighs about 125lbs,
Price No. 1 Leather, $31.
for Furniture Awarded.
the Luce l'UrJ1ttllre company,
on April 23. \vhere he was
Co., of Philadelphia, to assist
chairs \-vill probably be manufactured
by the Crawford
Chair company.
J\.lr. Hoult has been very successful in
the past in handling government contracts, and the filling
of the Snellenhurg order assure:; the full operation, in
connection \vith the company's regular trade, of lhe Luce
factory during the remainder of the year.
@
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With the Kent Furniture
Company.
\\lilliam H. Idema, formerly employed by the Young
& Chaffee Furniture company. of Grand Rapids, as rnanagel' of advertising, recently entered upon an engagement
with the Kent Furniture
company, of reter5b~lrg, Va.
1\1r. Idema had the benefit of years of exp1::rience in newspaper \vork before engaging in the advertising bLlsiness
as a specialist, and is well trained in the writing and displaying of advertising.
.Mr. Idema is pleased with his
present engagement
and \vith the city in which he is
located.
®
Made by Luee-Redmond
Ohair Co., Big Rapids, Mich.
in preparing bids for supplying the government
with a
large quantity of bookcases, chests, chairs, etc. The contract for the goods, with the exception of one item, was
awarded to Snel1enbeTg & Co., and the Luce Furniture
company will manufacture the bookcases and chests. The
*
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Flanders Styles Popular.
The Berkey & Gay Furniturc~ company brought out
a new line of furniture in Flanders styles for the spring
season of trade, the sale of \vh1::h has been very satisfactory.
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B. J. Rosenthal has bad plan,; drawn for a furniture
exhibition building which he proposes to erect in Cbicago.
20
~[ I C II I G A N
THE WAITING
Which
HABIT.
Mr. MacWhackt
Hopes MacWhackt,
Will Never Contract.
Iunior,
HI suppose it's a fact," said Mr. J\facvVhackt, "that
about the worst habit you could contract is that of sitting
down and waiting for something to turn up.
"I've known a lot of men that have had this habit .. but
I have never known one of them to have anything come
to him yet. Of course there's a chance of a
l'
man's being struck by lightning, but if you
take the total population of the world and
divide by the number struck you would find
that the chances of being struck are very small,
and the chances of anything coming to a man
who is waiting for something to turn up are a
great deal smaller still.
"You see, as I tell my son, \Villiam :rvlacWhackt, Jr., something, that is to say the something that we are always looking for to turn
up, is really not, as you might say, a thing o(
a migratory nature, that is, not a thing that
:':ieekspeople. In fact one of its chief characteristics consists in its inclination to stick
somewhere, generally more or less far off, in
which it is like gold in its raw shape, which
lies buried in the earth at a great distance,
\vhere we must" go and dig for it and dig hard
if we want to get it. ]\1easles and various
other afflictions come to us, but not so, as a
rule, with something,
meaning prosperity,
which we must go out and seek.
"So I tell William that I hope he won't join the great
army of those who sit down and wait for something to
turn up. He might be struck by lightning, but the
chances are so much against it that it would be a terrible
waste of time to figure 'em out and there wouldn't be
anything coming to him then.
"What I hope is that William will get out and look
and dig for what he wants and not sit down and wait,
and he won't find the competition as keen as perhaps he
thinks, for really there ate not such an everlasting lot of
steady, stick to it diggers.
There's a chance that if he
doesn't get the biggest prize in the whole world he'll get
something, and something worth having, if he'll only get
out and get to work around among men in the places
where the diggins are found.
"That's what I'm hoping William, Jr., will do---go out
and work like a· man for what he wants; the thing of all
others that I hope he won't do is to sit down and wait for
something to turn up."-Ex.
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ART I SAN
the upper vacancies with outsiders.
This does not disturb the long experienced \vorkers who have grown used
to their tasks and would not thrive on a change. The
outsiders can quickly learn from these workers enough
to enable them to fill the place. The effect is quick and
permanent.
The Ehiny appearance gives way to the dull
finish with the first fev,r rubs, and soon tones down to a
darker shade. The same effect may he secured by ill
temper and red tape, but there are always some spots in
the organization which continue to shine, even if feebly,
Sketch
by C. R. Hills, Grand Rapids.
in spite of these measures, whereas the
removes all these shiny spots and distributes
quite evenly, and prevents it from wearing
of this sort of work may be seen in a great
-Ex.
@
Discovered
by Raleigh.
Sir Walter Raleigh carried mahogany timber from
the West Indies to England for the first time. Its adaptability in the manufacture of furniture was soon learned,
and it has since held its place as the most valuable of all
woods.
t
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MANUFACTURERS OF
II HARDWOOD
LUMBER &.
VENEERSI
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SPECIALTIES :
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The Dull Finish.
Employers who may prefer to have their organization done in the popular dull finish, aud avoid the vulgar
shiny effect that is occasioned by life, can bring about thc
change with little difficulty. The work is so simple that
no experience is required.
Any short-sighted employer
can do it with ease. Some have found it effective to fill
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other method
the dull finish
off. Samples
many places.
~'t'YWEurlQUAR.
OAK VENEERS
MAHOGANY
I
VENEERS
HOFFMAN
BROTHERS
804 W. Main
St.,
_
h-.-.
COMPANY
__
FORT WAYNE, INDIANA
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MICHIGAN
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21
ARTISAN
-----------------IF IT'S
THE
BEST
REFRIGERATOR
IT'S AN ALASKA
Over 850,000 Alaska refrigerators
features of an Alaska Refrigerator:
sold since 1878,
Desirable
Small consumption of ice.
Maximum amount of cold, dry air.
Absolutely sanitary provision chamber.
Simplicity of operation.
Perfect preservation of food.
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We sell to dealers only.
l
WRITE
FOR CATALOG.
~~!~~g;~I~~~a~turSompany
The Alt~~i~
_~:..:~ew
MUSKEGON,
York Mllnae-er,
3:~::::'::.
MICHIGAN.
New York
Ci'_Y_, .
Trained for His Duties.
H. C. Leonard, the superintendent
of the great
plant of the Grand Rapids Refrigerator Company, prepared himself for the position he occupies by spending
five years in the factory and office of the cOl1.1.pany.
Commencing in the least important
department
he
Chippendale Copied Designs.
J\iore credit is given- to Chippendale than is due. in
the estimation of many art connoisseurs.
It is charged
that his designs \vere virtually copied from the French,
tbe Gothic and Chinese styles,
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Sheraton Well Sustained.
Sheraton occupies a well sustained position of eminence in the art world on account of his inlays, carving
and delicate paintings applied in the construction of fl.1rn·
iture.
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1\.1anyapplications for space in the furniture expositions of Grand Rapids, assure the usual large number of
exhibits at the midsummer exposition.
.
i MUSKEGON VALLEY FURNITURE COMPANY !
..
I MICH ••••
MUSKEGON
COIOniOiStilles
Tall past 8eds
I
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H. C. Leonard, Superintendellt
Graml Rapid;; Refrigerator Compally.
mastered its details and then entered another and still
another, until he had acquired a comprehensive knowledge of the business he \vould soon engage in, in an
important capacity.
A few months in the office completed his education as a manufacturer.
Previous to
his entry into the active duties of superintendent
lYfr.
Leonard had spent years in the p".;)lic schools and in
college thoroughly equipping himself for engaging in
the large commercial and financial affairs of the C0111pany.
In the big factory under his superintendence
six hundred men are employed and the system followed
results in a large product at minimum cost.
onn oressers
Cnllloniers
Warnrooes
IlOdies' TOileiS
I DreSSing
TOOles
Manognny
InIOId GOMs
....._--
Line on sale in Manufacturer"
Building, Grand Rapids.
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22
MICHIGAN
SEND
ARTISAN
FOR CATALOGUE.
One Hundred Failed.
The fact was recently ascertained by William Widdicomb that since the first cabinet shop was opened in
Grand Rapids in the year 1838, one hundred and fifty
individuals, firms or corporations had engaged in the
Windows That Speak Unknown Tongnes
Longfellow once wrote a poem on the talking oak.
Oaks talk, no doubt, and we know all about it since Longfellow wrote. But no poet has given us any information
on the subject of the talking display window. There arc
windows that beckon and whisper smoothly and enticingly. There are windows that draw one to them. There
arc windows that converse in unknown tongues.
There
are windows that look glum and say nothing.-Ex.
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Brockton, Mass., will establish a school for trammg
boys for foremanships and superintendencies of factories.
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White enamel furnlture was introduced
during the life of Marie Antoinette.
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France
@
July 12 is the date chosen for the opening of the New
York Furniture exposition .
..------_._------.
Plonrrn
Maoufadurio~
(ompaoJ
Di£'tROI't, MICH.
Reed Furniture
Baby Carriages
Go-Carts
:Madeby Charles Bennett Furniture Co., Charlotte, Mich.
manufacture of furniture at different periods in the city
of Grand Rapids.
Of that number one hundred had
failed. The survivors have undergone trials that would
have swamped most men in other lines of production.
~
FuU line 8hown only·
at the facto1"!/.
MICHIGAN
Look here.
23
ARTISAN
This is just \vhat you have been looking for to boost your summer bedroom suite trade.
Furnished in 5,"','1'1"1WALNUT finish, We claim to have the color right. It is meeting with the best
of success, and will help you. Let us tell you ho\v cheap these pieces arc and we \vill secure your order.
CHAS. BENNETT FURNITURE CO.
CHARLOTTE,
CHAMBER SUITES.
DRESSERS.
Death of John A. Colby,
On April 18 inst" John A, Colhy, a pioneer dealer in
furniture in Chicago, died at his home in that city aged
7'6 years.
Deceased was for 1na11)' years the head of the
house bearing his name) but retired seven years ago. his
son, Henry C. Colby, succeeding in the management of
the business. Cntil recent years he was a regular attendant upon the furniture expositions and enjoyed a large
acquaintance
in the trade.
l\:1r. Colby evinced a lively
interest in young men, and many who have been successful in business attribute their success largely to his coun~
sel and assistance.
Among his formeremplayes
who
held lVIr. Colby in high esteem and regret his demise
\vere John E. Bro\ver, the designer, and A. 'V. Hampe,
the president of the Royal Furniture
company) Grand
Rapids. Mr. Colby was very popular among tbe business
men and members of fraternal organizations in Chicago.
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SIDEBOARDS.
Open July 1.
The hotel Ottawa, at Ottawa Beach, Mich., under the
management of J. 1,1. Rathbone, wilt receive guest~<;on
July 1. The house is very popular \'lith furniture men.
@
A Big Hotel for Salt Lake City.
Local capitalists of Salt Lake City, Utah, have organized a corporation for the purpose of ere~t1ng a hotel to
cost $1,500,000.
Ground has been broken, am.l an architect from New York is drawing the plans. The builders
hope to complete the structure this year. A local dealer
will supply the furnishings.
@
MICHIGAN.
Ma.de by Richmond Cha.ir Co., Richmond, Ind.
@
B. Rich, (he ought to be) of Kashville, Tenn" will
erect" factory for the use of the Rothschild Lussky Manufacturing
company.
It is within one hom's ride of Grand Rapids and merchants and sellers alike travel to and from the exposition
by either train or trolley at wilL
24
MICHIGAN
ARTISAN
~---_._~------_._--_._-~-------:-----------~
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FIVE COMPLETE LINES OF
REfRIGERATORS
at
RIGHT PRICES
OpaJire Lined.
Enamel Lined.
Charcoal
Filled and
Zinc Lined.
Zinc Lined with Removable Ice Tank.
Galvanized Iron Lined;
Stationary Ice Tank.
Send for new Catalogue
And Jet 11..5J1l1m~JOU pritt.
(~allen~efiefri~mfor (0"
--._-_._----
GRAND HAVEN, MICH., U. S. A.
Unsafe Cunclusions.
The livng root of most of the errors that infest the
business world-whether
those errors concern the administrative policy of a railroad president or the way the
office-boy puts the stamps on the envelopes-will
be found
in a certain inherent trait of the human mind. .It is the
habitual tendency
every h:.:tman being to reduce his
observations to dogmatic conclusions, and to begin subsequent thought from that point. A composite of the
dogmatic spirit is the policy which says: "I always handle
that sort of thing this way." Examine a cross-s-ection of
the average mentality and you will find it filled with little
conclusions.
Trace many of those conclusions back to
their beginnings and you will find that they have been
reached by one or two feeble observations, hastily interpreted, and a large· measure of unfounded guesswork.
The key is turned on that point, and that conclusion, no
matter how inadequate, becomes a factor in all subsequent thinking.
Any new thought that disagrees with
that conclusion is regarded with sllspicion if not with
contempt.
Possession of a dogmatic conclusion is nine
points of the law of loose thinking.
The lazy mind delights in a short cut, and the more it gets used to these
short cuts the more lazy it becomes. VVhen the mind
gets clogged up, and thoughts do not flow freely, it is
almost a certainty that one of these little conclusions
forms the obstruction.
The mind that is ever seeking to
know is alive. The one that is satisfied that it knows,
and condemns every conflicting opinion, and will listen to
of
L
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no more evidence, has ceased growing.
Fear of new
evidence is a self-conviction of insecurity and an unwillingness to be found out. A fixed conclusion, based on
meager and untypical observation, and that misinterpreted, is the most dangerous instrument ever devised by
man. Progress is largely a matter of breaking up such
conclusions.-Ex.
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Vocational
*
School
@
at Fitchburg.
The state of Massachusetts
has appropriated
$75,000 for the purpose of erecting a vocational school at
Fitchburg.
Further appropriations
will be supplied
when needed.
Teachers will be provided by the state,
but the city of Fitchburg will pay a per capita tax for
each pupil in attendance.
Pupils will be instructed
in practical business affairs, commercial
arithmetic,
mechanical drawing and designing will be included in
the course of instruction.
Girls will be taught domestic science, se\ving' and housekeeping.
Boys will be
trained to fill positions in the industries and in commerce.
The work will be elementary,
that of the
craftsman, rather than the mechanic or machinist.
@
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It is stated that President Taft was inspired by an
economical impulse when he appointed General Dickinson to the office of Secretary of \Var. General Dickinson is as large as the president, and his appointment
saves the cost of a chair for the secretary.
MICHIGAN
ARTISAN
A Certain Test of Good Taste.
There is no more certain test of good taste than the
involuntary selection of subjects by the eye on viewing
for the first time ornament in objects of art.
I\ature
works on so large and true a scale that few judge her
amiss.
That which is majestic, noble, picturesque, or
simply beautiful as a vvhole, classes itself at once in all
minds, and the fact of a common decision on these
points demonstrates
the genuineness
of the laws of
taste.
The common mind difIers from the cultivated
in its knov ..r1edgc and appreciation
of nature's beauty in
detail.
The fonner sees only partially, the latter
grasps the \;<"rhole and distinguishes the parts; nothing,
however humble, which goes to make up the chord of
beauty, escapes its notice.
\Vhere the appreciation
of the one ends, the pleasure of the other is but begun,
so that his delight is as true and infinite as nature herself.
The natural eye, therefore, sees all things as in
a glass. darkly-the
cultivated peuetrates the film of
nature, and looks into her heart.- James J. J antis.
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Hotel Furniture Buyers Ar-rive in Grand Rapids.
On April 14, C. J. Owens, manager of the New Addison hotel in 1Iinneapolis, arrived in Grand Rapids for
the purpose of purchasing furniture.
I-Ie ,vas accom-
panied by Walter D. Boutell, Otto J. Marewetz and W.
F. Behrens. The hotel is to be one of the finest and best
appointed houses of its class in the northwest and ,viii
contain 3~~5r00111S. The furnishings are to be artistic
throughout and will represent an investment of more than
$200,000.
It is estimated that the furniture alone will
cost $100,000 and it is certain much of this will be of
Grand Rapids production.
In general it \vill consist of
mahogany and Circassian \valnut. \Vallack Brothers, who
own and operate hotels in New Y.ork and Cleveland, arrived on the same day and placed orders.
@
:;:
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In all probability the aJvancecl rates on mirrors c.nc1
the imposition of a duty on mahogany, contained in the
tariff bill passed by the national house of representat; ve..."
will be retained by the senate. J\lanufacturers ·of furniture and kindred lines \V·ill be obliged to add the aclcli-tiona! cost of these materials to the goods now in pfE'paration for the fall season of trade, \\Tith a dull market
and no immediate prospects for a revival, higher pri('e~
for goods \villnot put life into trade.
@
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The way a man receives something new reveals his
standing either as a "has been," a Hnever \vas," or an
"up-to-date" individuaL
r--------------------------------------------------------·----------
---_._--_._-~
I
I
HAND
CIRCULAR
RIP SAW
COMBINED
MORTISER
MACHINE
I
No, 3 WOOD
LATHE
Complete Dulfit of HAND and FOOT POWER MACHINERY
WHY THEY
PAY THE
CAelNET
MAKER
He call S::ll'e a manufacturer's
~lTofitas well as a d~aler's profit.
He can make more money with less capital invested.
He can hold a better and more satisiactory
trade with his
customers.
He can manufacture in as good style and finish. and ;Ltas low
cost as the factories.
The local cabinet maker has been forced into onlv the dealer's
trade and profit, because of machine manufactured goods of factories.
An outlit of Barnes' Patent Foot and Hand-Power Machinery.
reinstates the cabinr:::tmaker with advantages equa.l to his competitors.
If desired, these machines will be sold on (rial. The purchaser
can have ample time to test them in his OW1l shop and on the work he
wishes them to do. J)t8criptiv, cataloy'l1.dand price list fru.
No.4 SA W (ready fo(cross-cutting)
W. 1'. Ii JOHN BIlRNES CO.,654 Ruby St .. Rockford, III.
No.4
No.2 SCROLL
SAW
FORMER
OR MOULDER
HAND
TENONER
SAW (ready for ripping)
No.7 SCROLL
SAW
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------~
26
MICHIGAN
ARTISAN
Modern Salesmanship.
It doesn't pay the estahlished house to have a talkative,
Salesmam.hip as it was studied and defined twentymeteoric salesman rushing a customer through into a
five years ago has been overturned, ripped up, whip-sawpurchase half against the purchaser's will, only that later
ed right and left, and reconstructed until its own son
he shall discover more and more of the unsatisfactory,
wouldn't know it.
disappointing features of his investment.
The old time salesman did not resign his job volunThe principle is accepted almost everywhere hy the
tarily. He was pried loose from it. The evolution of the
n:odern department store as applying to the clerk at a
business \"chich he once represented has become
so effectually out of harmony with such repre~
sentation that he's had to go into some other
line altogether.
If he were a marked success
in his clay he may be working ~ol11ewhere as a
promoter.
He may be selling fake mining
:;tock or framing something ne,,, in the green
goods line. To a certainty he isn't selling
l{co(:s any n~()re for the up to date, solid business house \vhich has a prosperous present and
is building for a greater future.
The conditions unuer which salemen make
a sale are changed completely from those that
governed hventy years ago. He needs all the
knowledge possible of the thing he sells. He
must know all that it will do under normal
conditions. lIe may venture a little into what
might do under conditions that are exceptionally favorab1.e. But he must 110t make hot,
atmospheric clainls to the manufacturing
experts in his establishment.
Oddly enough, it has come about that the
furniture salesman is required to know about
as much of the business of a competitor as he
knows of the business of his own house. Virtually everything that he can pick up rega,rding
his competitor's business is of use to his own
bouse. In this work be cannot be too good a
mixer too overburdened with tact, or carry
t{lO111uch.judgment for application everywhere
in sane perspectives.
Once upon a time the salesman could dismiss his competitor with a look of contemptuous scorn. He thought he could, at least, and
he applied all manner of epithets reflecting upon the character of his rival, the quality of proMade by Warld Furniture Co., Evansville, Ind.
duction and methods of doing business. But
today the up to date possible customer knows something
counter.
Bring a young clerk to a city store from the
about the solid,"substantial rival. He doesn't do business
average country store and put him on the "floor and a
on the basis of vituperation and denunciation.
The salesthousand of him on a first day might do a million dollars'
man must meet the mention of his competitor's name with
damage to the business.
indications that he knows what his rival is doing and how
In the average couutry town the competition between
he does it.
d "Y' g:,",):, ,toees is likely to be especially sharp. These
But it may be said broadly that wherever a salesman
stores do not take farmers' produce in exchange as the
is representing any line of goods that has come into wide
grocer often has to do. When a customer comes in, and
use enabling the general public to get familiar with the
has taken up five or ten minutes' time of a clerk, passing
average of expectations as to its uses, durability, cost, and
out without buying, 'the storekeeper is most likely to
like facts shown by experience, hot air salesmanship has
make inquiry why the clerk didn't make a sale. In expecvanished.
tation of this the clerk feels the pressure upon him to
make a sale if by any means he can talk the person into
WHITE PRINTING CO., GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.
buying.
PRINTERS OF CATALOGUES
and everything Deeded by busillCN men
In the department stores of the cities, however, the
work of the counter saleman has become radically differ-
:VIICHIGAN
ent through
evolution and changed conditions.
The
salesman \vho doesn't make a sale is no longer questioned
why he failed. An unalterable price mark is attached to
every article in his department.
1\lore and more the pressure comes upon store managements
to make the purchaser of an article satisfied with that purchase.
It isn~t
policy to try to talk him into buying something of \vhich
he is half doubtful.
If he finds he isn't satisfied the house
invites him to bring it back) get something better, or have
his money returned to him.
Persuasive salernanship evcry\vbere is becoming one of
the lost arts.- Ex.
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Hearse Driver's Signal.
It is a C0111mon thing for the driver held up by a block
ahead in a city, to thrm\' up his whip hand as a sign to
2i
ARTISAN
automobiles; and here \vhen there was a block ahead, the
man on the box of the hearse threw up his whip hand
just like any other driver.
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iiFired and Prospered.
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There are 10,000 individual examples of men making
a success in life who, if they told the \vhole truth as to
their careers, would tell you that they had been "fired"
into their present positions.
Fired once, twice, maybe a
dozen times, until with the accruing experience and with
common sense trimming and training and adaptation of
themselves to circumstance
these men have at some
time awakened to the fact that in "firing" theyexperienced the most beneficial influences of their lives.-Ex.
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Bailey, Jones & Co., to Furnish Tables.
It is reported that Bailey, Jones & Co., of Jamestown,
N. Y., will furnish the tables contracted for by Gimble
Brothers for supplying-army
posts of the general government.
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"By their fruits ye shall know them."-Scripture.
Not in the furniture trade.
\Valnut lumber takes a
mahogany stain beautifully.
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The manufacture
of tables will soon be commenced
at High Point, N. C. by E. L. and E. V. Cronch.
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The Ford & Johnson Co.
CHICAGO
Made by Charles Bennett Furniture Co., Charlotte, Mich.
drivers following him. All ,':.:ortsof drivers do this; and
yet it seems strange to see the sign given by the driver of
a hearse.
Funerals are net ccmrnonly seen in the crowded busi,. 'r;~ s;.:-cds
cf tll:: city whe;-c the sign may be necessary;
they a::-emet ofte:le~t in residence streets, where! the traffic
is not likely to be obstructed;
and so one might, in the
course of time, see many funeral proccssions pass and
never once see the hearse driver give the high sign.
But the hearse is not always seen at the head of a funeral procession;
it lTlust of course go to and from the
place at which it is to head the line of carriages, and
then it moves alone like any other separate vehicle in
the midst of a crush of trucks, wagons, carriages and
This is one of our
popular Hotel chairs.
Our chairs are found
in all the leading
Hotels in the country.
The line includes a
very complete assortmcnt of chairs, rockers and settees of all
grades; Dining Room
furniture,
Reed and
Rat tan
furniture,
Special Urder furniture, etc.
Our complete line of sam_
ples are displayed In The
Ford tJ Johnson Building,
]433-37 Wabash Ave., In~
cludinll a special display of
Hotel Furniture.
AlL furniture
dealers are cordially
to visit our building.'
invited
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MICHIGAN
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ARTISAN
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Single Cone All Steel Springs
Are very popular with the Furniture Trade.
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$2QQ
$2
00
Each
Each
Net
Net
No. 46. Single Cone. $2 Each. Net.
We manufacture a full line of Single and Double Cane All Wire Springs.
SEND
US
YOUR
ORDERS.
SMITH &. DAVIS MFG. CO., St. Louis. I
~--------------------------------------_ ....
Differential
Rates Threatened,
The proposed abolition of rail differentials
New England states has caused a commotion
the manufacturers
and jobbers of that region.
in the
among
Enor-
Made by Luce-Redmond Ohair 00., Big Rapids, Mich.
mous interests would be affected diversely, and the
business associations of Boston have called a convention of representatives of six states to take concerted
action in regard to the matter.
It is claimed that New
England produces fifty-two per ceut of all the cloth
produced in the United States, thirty-one per cent of
the paper, thirty-five per cent of the leather and its
products, .twenty-three
per cent of the marble and
stone.
Massachusetts
itself produces forty-five per
cent of all shoes, thirty-one per cent of all woolen
goods, twenty-eight
per cent of all cotton goods, thirty-one per cent of all worsted goods, seventeen per
cent of all paper and wood pulp, twenty-two per cent
of all rubber and elastic goods.
Metropolitan Boston
alone has, increased its industries fifty-six per cent in a
decade.
In discussing the proposition, P. A. O'Connell, vice
president of the New England Dry Goods Association,
said:
HIt would be a great blow to our industries,
and would tend to create a loss to other industries in
general throughout New England.
To offset the. loss
of ,differentials the manufacturer
must either move or
put up his prices.
Either of these alternatives would
reduce the purchasing power which would chiefly injure the dry goods business.
I doubt if the increased
price of sending freight would make much difference
to us. This is of minor importance as compared to the
loss of purchasing power, for the public would have, to
pay the extra cost."
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Adding Furniture.
Quish' & Pratt, dealers in hardware, Dexter, Mich"
will add furniture and would be pleased to receive catalogues.
He Knew His Business.
W m. H. Rouse, who for several years has been in
charge of the Grand Ledge Chair Company's show rooms
in Grand Rapids, \-vas for many years a traveling salesmen. \Vhen the Old \Volverine Chair Company ,...'as in
business, (making as good \valnut diners as ever came
out of a factory) Mr. Rouse took the photos oue day and
went to New York. There was an eccentric in the furniture business of that city whom \ve will caU Jones, a terror to the traveling man. j\1r. Rouse went into the store
and found Jones busy in his office, and presented his
card. Jones looked up at him and blurted out "Young
man, didn't you see that sign out there indicating the
time when drummers would be received?
HI did not come here hunting for signs, sir, I came
here for business," was the reply.
"\Vell, I \-vant you to understand that that sign means
what it says. If Y011 come here at two o'clock, (not five
Ininutes to hvo or five minutes after) I'll see what you
have."
HAll right, I will be here," ,vas 1\.1r.Rouse's rep1v, and
he arriv·ed on time and so did Jones.
Jones took UP one of the photos and said, "How wide
15 the front' of this chair?"
"Eighteen inches."
"What is the length of the front stretcher?"
"Fourteen and three-quarter inches."
HBack stretcher?"
"Thirteen and a half inches."
"1Nidth of chair at top of back ?"
"Fifteen inches,"
"Distance between back posts at back of seat?"
IiTwelve and one-quarter inches.~!
"Well, young man, you knmv your business, and I will
give you an order. I am tired of the fellmvs who come
here and don't know anything about the goods they are
selling."
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ARTISAN
MICHIGAN
,
9
Here 5 a Bargain
That i5 a Bargain
$7 50 I
Quarter Saw:';' 53~a~:X4~~:~s
Band Rim, Polished, ..•
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You can't make money faster than by buying Ihis fine library
Table by the dozen, unless you make up a carload out of this and
other good things we have to show YOIl.
PALMER MANUFACTURING
CO.
-----------,
1015 to 1043 Palmer Ave., DETROIT MICH.
.._---------------------------'
Forget It
That Rack and Rod Morris Chairs were
ever made and Buy Nationally Advertised
@
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"Serious Attention."
A story is afloat in the furniture trade (whether it
true or not is of small consequence) to the effect that
when the communication of the National Case 1\1akers'
Association,
protestng against the enactment of the
mirror glass schedule, as reported in the Payne tariflbill, reached the hand of a prominent member of the
senate, vi/hose name is so commonly kno,vn that it need
not be mentioned, the usual courteous reply was prepared and mailed by the senator's very conrteous and
extremely obsequious secretary, as follows:
HI respectfully acknowledge the receipt of your
esteemed fa';"Tor of recent date in respect to the tariff
bill. pending action in the house.
Be assured that
when the bill shall have passed the h0use and brought
before the senate for consideration,
it shall be my
duty to give the paragraph
relating to taw cotton seriOllS consideration.
Ii\Vith assurances of my great respect and esteern,
I am," etc.
•
Royal
Chairs
"The
Push Button
Kind"
with or without
footrest, Made
with loose cllshions or uphol~
stered.
( All interchangeable)
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So that jf your customer likes a frame that has
loose cushions on, take them out and put in the
upholstering.
Your customers want Royal Chairs.
Write for catalog.
I ROYAL
CHAIR CO.,
STURGIS,
MICH.
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MICHIGAN
ARTISAN
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f
Moon Desk Co.
MUSKEGON'
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52" long; 30" wide.
!!
Furnished with cenler drawer with lock.
MICHIGAN
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Square edge construc~
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hon, sanitary style.
,
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Satin Finish - Golden
oak, weathered oak,
or imitation mahogany.
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A Desk within the
reach of all.
MOON DESK CO.
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MUSKEGON, MICH.
S. Karpen & Bros, Conclude an Important
Long Time Lease.
On \Vednesday, April 21, S. Karpen & Bros., extensive manufacturers of upholstered furniture in Chicago,
closed a lease with the estate of Otto Young on the corner
of lVIichigan boulevard anti Eldredge court, 134x249 feet,
,..-------------------•
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for the term of ninety-nine years.
The rental to be
paid is $10,000 a year for the first two ye,tr;, ~::o,oooannually for the following fifteen years, $33,000 for the
succeeding ten years and $35,000 for the remainder of
the term, the total amounting to $3,220,000. The average
n.'ntd, $.33,535, represents a four ptr cent valt1ation O~_l
$838,383 on the land. A building to cost not less than
....
Here is
a Rocker
That's
a seller.
Write for
the price.
Geo. Spratt
B Co.,
SheLoyQ8D, Will.
Made by Nelson-Matter
Furniture
Co., Grand Rapids, Mich.
$250,000 will be erected, fronting on Eldredge court,
within a year. The firm of S. Karpen & Bros., have been
successful not only in their manufacturing
business, but
in other enterprises.
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Chairs were first used in England
Henry VIII.
during the reign of
I ~ e Dta'D1f'! ~
Tom=~. Co':~illC:::;:a~~~~:;;
Factory PriafJ.
Retld elJery word of
thr. unique dtulaunozntent.
_~_.
~..gJ:'Q17~~
.
peNN AVJ!.NUE
I
~ow~;tJ~
::::~~ls:o:~~:~~7te~
be
No ConceuiolJS from Publiahed
'((Jill
T(!J'm...
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CONSIGNMENT SALE of a Train Load of FURNITURE
From L. F. ~REEMAN FURNITURE MFG. CO.,
~~~:~:~~
of SEYMOUR, IND.
/
t-
-~--~~-TIll!>
,. a BArgal" wllh L B1~
"D,"
C_ ..
1"
0""'. lI"B"'O .od
"",."'"
R.od
Boa' o"d IlllCk.
1'"""" ....
~" <>1
t.>"
qual It,
",.pl., woll .....
"""l"!.
Jt I •..
]B"" ...
nd
n,..
Special Pqrcba.e of Rug. and Carpets
From the Factory of Alex. Smith
&
Co., Yonkers, N. Y.
In o:mn'ction wit" thi.... Ie, we piokedup a big spedall""'''! ! \1gB
and Carpet. from this !atg. linn Bnd the pdces you'l1 get them at are
p<actloally wholes.l ..
oom'o,tobl.
"",It."
Bn~
",,,"ruo!od a,
....
'0
ollow tho B"'"
,,"'f~.",'"
.,h.
"It,,,, T".
Rooker
fOsul.,."
but
a
"'.
I. p.'ooo!
01 $3.
p'e~.d up
n
O"O.'U, "'
'01"".
ow "". tb.,.
and
•• ad""L."d
.-111
00\
lor
A
SAMPLE ADVERTISEMENT.
Solid Oak llocker
.0
32
;.1ICHIGAN
ARTISAN
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--_._-----OUR LARGE
NEW
UNE
OF
DINING and OFFICE
TABLES
The season
for banquets
are the best on the American market
when prices and quality are considered.
is now:
here. Our
Banquet
Table Top is
just the
thing for
banquets.
Stow & Davis Furniture Co.
GRAND
h
_
Furniture
Men "Kick."
]. S. Linton, secretary of the National Association
of Case Goods Manufacturers,
recently" issued a letter
to l'very furniture manufacturer in the country, urging
activity against the plate glass schedule in the Payne
tariff bill.
The present tariff on plate glass 16 x 24
inches is eight cents, and the propos·ed rate is 10 cents.
The rate on sizes up to 24 x 30 is 10 cents and the propoced rate is 120 cents.
The present tariff On larger
larger than 24x 30 and not exceeding 24 x 60 is 2272
cents, and that is not changed.
In his letter Mr. Linton points out the proposed
changes and then says:
"All glass used in the manufacture of furniture, except the larger sizes, is to be advanced.
* * * The
smaller sizes used for the cheaper furniture which goes
into the homes of the poorer people bearing such advance.
This proposed advance is in defiance of public sentiment, in complete disregard of the rightfnl interests of the consumer, contrary to the spirit of the
protective principle and ante-election
promises, opposed to good public policy and inimical to the interests of the furniture industry.
The manufacturers of
glass, having already been liberally aided and thoroughly established, have no right to demand that this
tax shall now be increased.
"Every effort will be made to pnsh this measure
through as drafted.
If we are to prevent this advance in the glass schedules it is imperative that every
n1anufacturer act at once.
W rite a letter to the representative of your district and to the representatives
from other districts in your state; write the senators
from your state, calling their attention to this matter
and demanding that these tariff schednles shall not be
advanced.
Do this in common justice to your own
industry and to the public welfare.
The schedule
once passed will probably remain unchanged for the
next ten years.
It is a matter, therefore, of the utmost importance to our industry and the whole people
that the bill as finally passed shall be made as nearly
equitable as possible."-Grand
Rapids Herald.
L_
City
salesroom,
RAPIDS, MICH.
4th floo1", Blodgett Bldg.
It has already been explained that when the bill
reaches the senate, the skilled manipulator of schedules, ~fr.Aldrich, will engage in an extended swapping
campaign, and that in the end every interest will gain
what it seeks.
The mirror glass makers, the silverers,
the bevelers and others having special interests to foster, are not worrying over the outcome.
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Not Interested in War.
During his stay in Nicaraugna E. H. Foote, treasurer of the Grand RapidS Chair Company, was so busily employed fishing and pleasure hunting that he paid
no attention to the revolution against the government.
It is said that he would not attend a dress parade of the
George D. Emery company's armed force of 2,000 lumber jacks.
There might have been a half dozen revolutions in full operation for all that he cared, or there
might have been none.
Having participated in the
war hetween the states and knowing the horrors of real
fighting,·the little comic opera outbreaks so frequently
indulged in by the South Americans fail to create the
slightest interest in the mind of Mr. Foote.
The
Emery Company
(a Boston corporation)
controls
abont all the mahogany bearing lands in Nicaraugua
and the government sought to restrict their operations.
A few blank cartridges were exploded and then the
government at Washington 'raised its index finger and
the misunderstanding
will be "fixed up" peacably. Mr.
Foote visited Panama and inspected the canal and
came home via Jamaica and New York.
He had a
good time, and upon arriving in Grand Rapids was as
ready for work as, a newly arrived emigrant from Italy
or Russia.
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Millions for New Hote)s.
Capitalists of Spokane, Washington, have financed
two important hotel enterprises, to be undertaken this
year.
An enlargement of the Pfister and a new hotel
for \V. H. Cowles involve the expenditure of millions
for construction,
equipment arid furnishings.
The
last item will not be the least important.
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INDEX TO ADVERTISEMENTS.
Alaska Refrigerator
Company ..
. . 21
J ones
Company ...
. Cover
Aulsbrook &
Barnes, W, F. & John, Company ..
..25
Bennett, Charles, Furniture
..23
Bockstege
Furniture
Bosse Furniture
Company ..
Company.
· .8-9
.8-9
Company ..
Challenge Refrigerator
.24
Company.
2
Daily Artisan·Reccrd
Ford & Johnson Company>.
Furniture Exhibition Association.
Globe Furniture
.27
,Caver
Co:npany.
Grand Rapids Caster
Hafner Furniture
Hoffman Brothers
Cup Company
· .8-9
..
· .. 16
Company.
· .. 19
Company ..
.20
Hotel Pantlind
Humphrey-Widman
Karges Furniture
Kauffman
Furniture
Bookca.£e Company ...
.....
Company.
Manufacturing
Company.
Luce-Redmond
Luce Furniture
Company ..
Madden, Thorr.as~ & Son ...
.....
Cover
.. Cover
1
.11
Company.
..
Miller, Eli D" & Company .. ,
7
..21
Morton House
Muskegon Valley Furniture
Nelson-Matter
Furniture
Palmer Manufacturing
Pioneer Manufacturing
Richmcnd
7
.30
Moon Desk Company.
Company ...
Company.
. .... Cover
Company.
..29
.. 22
Company.
Chair Company ...
..18
Royal Chair Company.
..29
Schmitt, Henry, Company.
..
15
Sheboygan Chair Company ..
Sligh Furniture Company.
.
22
5
Spratt, George, & Company ....
2
.. ... 17
Chair Company.
Michigan Furniture
Company .
Smith & Davis Company.
8-9
.. .. 8-9
Company ...
7
..10
Lentz Table Company ..
Metal Furniture
Michigan Engraving
..17
.28
.. .. 5-30
Star Caster Cup Company ..
.. .18
Stow & Davis Furniture
. .. 32
Union Furniture
White Printing
Company ..
Company
Company ..
World Furniture Company ..
Zimmer, Fred J.
(Rockford).
7
.
2-13
..
8-9
4
...---
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Aulsbrook & Jones Furniture Co.
STURGIS,
MICH.
ASK FOR
CATALOG
SHOWING
THIS
SUITE
COMPLETE
Oak and Mahoganv
'------------------ -_._-_._----------"
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Goods that . ....
SELL EASILY
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DRESSERS
CHIFFONIERS
BEDS
WASHSTANDS
PRINCESS DRESSERS
CHEVALS
SIDE BOARDS
BUFFETS
DINING TABLES.
CHINA CLOSETS
SIDE TABLES
I
IN ALL THE CABINET WOODS
AND DIFFERENT· FINISHES
Manufactured by
The Luce Furniture
Company
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH,
•
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•
...,
Davenport Beds and Parlor Furniture
We have the
DESIGNS
Write for
C atalog"es or call
and see us.
and
PRICES.
Our 7J)orkmanship
of the '(/Cry best.
Show
Variety to select
from the largest.
Rooms
:35 to 41 North
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Capital Ave.
One of our big selling Davenport
Beds, miuion
design.
THOMAS MADDEN, SON & CO.,
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Indianapolis, Ind.
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