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J.W. SWAIN

37, North Third Street, Philadelphia



J.W. Swain - Philadelphia - 1845

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WHITE & MAJOR

25, Union Square West, later, 46, Howard Street, New York



H.A. Meldrum Co. - Buffalo, N.Y. - 1898


Well-known Umbrella Firm Dissolved

THE partnership of White & Major, umbrella manufacturers, at 25 Union square West, New York, was dissolved on July 2, Frank H. Major purchasing the interest of Mr. White, who retires from the umbrella trade. The business will be conducted under the present style by Mr. Major, who states that there will be no change in the conduct of the business, in any way, except as regards the personnel of the firm.

Mr. Major retains practically the entire selling force of the old concern, the following gentlemen representing him in their respective territories: W. H. Boice will travel through the West; J. A. Baldwin will visit the trade of Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington: Charles E. Nelson will look after the interests of the firm in New England and M. Heyman will see to the New York City trade. In addition to this Mr. Major will give his personal attention to the trade of Greater New York, where he is well known and personally very popular.

Mr. Major announces that a new umbrella is now being perfected which will soon be placed upon the market. It will be called " The Major," and its manufacturer vouches for it as being a corker as regards style, quality and value.

The White & Major salesrooms are being redecorated in a very pleasing neutral tone of green, and there is a spirit of activity about the factory and salesrooms that promises success to Mr. Major in his new sole of sole proprietor of the business.

Source: The American Hatter -July 1902


On July 13 a petition in bankruptcy was filed against Frank H. Major, trading as White & Major, manufacturers of umbrellas, 46 Howard street, by Harvey & Watts Co., Rest, Fenner, Smith Co. and M. Friedman & Co. This action was precipitated by a suit to recover $50 due for merchandise and instituted by Kottle Bros., silversmiths. The liabilities are about $13,000, and assets estimated at $3,000.

Mr. Major has been in the umbrella business since 1890, when the firm of White, Howard & Major was organized. In 1892 they joined the umbrella trust, resuming again after the collapse of that enterprise, without Mr. Howard, under the style of White & Major, which continued until July, 1902, when Mr. White withdrew, Mr. Major continuing alone under same style as formerly. In July 1903, he became financially involved, and effected a settlement at 45 cents on the dollar. A few months ago he moved from Union Square to the present address. but business continued dull, and his condition had been known to be weak for several months. It is estimated the creditors will get about ten or fifteen per cent. from the settlement.

Source: Trunks, Leather Goods and Umbrellas - August 1904


Frank H. Major, a former manufacturer of umbrellas and at one time a prominent factor in the fine trade, died recently at his home in Brooklyn, aged 39 years. He was a number of years a member of the firm of White & Major.

Source: Trunks, Leather Goods and Umbrellas - August 1908

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SLEEPER BROTHERS

116, later, 126. Market Street, Philadelphia



Sleeper Brothers - Philadelphia - 1839


Sleeper Brothers - Philadelphia - 1845

See above post for details of Israel Sleeper's Cincinnati business.

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GILLINGHAM & FORD

2, North Fourth Street, Philadelphia



Gillingham & Ford - Philadelphia - 1839

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E.S. BADGER

16, later, 29, Temple Place, Boston



E.S. Badger - Boston - 1876


E.S. Badger - Boston - 1891

Successor to Joseph Lyon & Co.

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SCHUSSEL & MANLY

112, Franklin Street, New York



Schussel & Manly - New York - 1916


The rupture of international amity is largely responsible for the retirement of one handle concern, which has closed its doors after a record of thirty-one years. The business of Schussel & Manley, whose liquidation was announced briefly last month, was the oldest in the import line, having been established by Switzer & Schussel in 1887. Miss Manly, who was connected with them since 1895, took over Mr. Switzer’s interest in 1912, when he retired to enter another line. Since then the business was conducted by her, Mr. Schussel living in Germany. On account of poor health and the uncertainty of her partner reaching the States for some time, Miss Manly found it necessary to close up the firm's affairs.

Rumors of Mr. Schussel's death have been current, but no confirmation has been obtained.

Source: Trunks, Leather Goods and Umbrellas - March 1918

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HENRY HOBSON & SONS

67,68,69, Houndsditch, London and 92, Queen Street, later, 23, Carver Street, later, 28, Eyre Lane, Sheffield



H. Hobson & Sons - London - 1896

Established in 1845 by Henry Hobson.

The firm was later in the hands of George Frederick Hobson and Henry Stanley Hobson.

Henry Hobson & Sons entered their marks with the London and Sheffield assay offices.


Mark entered with Sheffield Assay Office on the 22nd November 1892:




Mark entered with Sheffield Assay Office on the 11th December 1894:




Mark entered with London Assay Office on the 7th November 1894:

'GFH' (George Frederick Hobson) contained within a lozenge.


Mark entered with London Assay Office on the 2nd December 1901:




Mark entered with London Assay Office on the 5th September 1912:



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W.J. BRAITSCH

396-398, Broadway, New York



W.J. Braitsch & Co. - New York - 1905

See above for details of the earlier business of Hearn & Braitsch.

See also: http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic ... ch#p100759

And: viewtopic.php?f=38&t=30437&p=189982#p189982

And: viewtopic.php?f=38&t=30437&p=111107&hil ... ch#p111107

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KREIS & HUBBARD

252,Franklin Street, later, 306, South Franklin Street, Chicago and 15, Maiden Lane, New York



Kreis & Hubbard - Chicago - 1908


Kreis & Hubbard - Chicago - 1909


Kreis & Hubbard - Chicago - 1909


Kreis & Hubbard - Chicago - 1911

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SAVARD & FILS

Rue Saint Gilles 22, Paris



Savard & Fils - Paris - 1913


Savard & Fils - Paris - 1913

Established in 1829.

See: http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic ... rd#p123650

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JOHN ETZENSPERGER

North Attleboro


John Etzensperger, manufacturer of cane and umbrella heads, died Thursday evening at the age of 50 years. He came to North Attleboro from Germany over 20 years ago.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 16th November 1892

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GEORGE W. SCOTT

Washington, D.C.




Design 21,976. CANE-HANDLE. George W. Scott, Washington, D. C. Filed Oct. 15, 1892.
Serial No. 449,014. Term of patent 3½ years.


Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 16th November 1892

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THOMAS W. GARDNER

Indianapolis, Indiana




Design 22,009 CANE. Thomas W. Gardner. Indianapolis, Ind. Filed Oct. 7, 1892. Serial No. 448,151. Term of patent 3½ years.


Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 30th November 1892

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AMASA LYON & Co. - LYON UMBRELLA Co.

731, later, 684 & 859, Broadway, New York



Amasa Lyon - New York - 1877





Mr. Amasa Lyon, the umbrella maker, recently made an individual assignment which did not, however, affect the standing of the stock company doing business under the title of Amasa Lyon & Co.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - May 1888


Amasa Lyon & Company of New York may not be the largest or oldest manufacturers of umbrellas, parasols and walking sticks in this country, but there is no house in this industry that stands so prominent for the general high grade of its productions. A "Lyon" umbrella is indicative of taste, durability and reliability as to shape and color. The familiar trade-mark of the upright majestic lion's head, with the assuring legend of "Sans Varier," and the bold autograph of Amasa Lyon, has become known everywhere. No trademark in its line is regarded as so valuable in this trade, and no lines of umbrellas and parasols are so widely known as those of Amasa Lyon & Co. The best evidence of their acknowledged supremacy is the fact that they are the specially favored wares of the leading establishments throughout the Union wherever fine goods of this character are sold. The business was established in 1877 by Amasa Lyon, who still remains at the head of the establishment, being the president of the corporation known as Amasa Lyon & Co., which was organized in 1889. The main sales-rooms, exhibition rooms and finishing shops are in New York, at the conspicuous corner of Broadway and Great Jones Street, where they have been for about twelve years. The stick factory is at the corner of Hudson and 13th Streets, and here are made all the sticks used by this concern; the woods being imported from all quarters of the globe. The silver and gold shops are in the Broadway building, and here are made all the handles and ornaments, for the style and finish of which the Lyon goods are famous. Any one who has the opportunity of going through these factories becomes amazed at the infinite variety of articles used in the making and ornamenting of umbrellas, parasols and canes: woods, metals, precious stones, ivories, horns, etc., and silks, laces and various fabrics, requiring for their proper use exquisite taste and great skill. These are the only manufacturers who, in their own shops, produce every part of the umbrella, excepting the fabrics and frames, and even these to a great extent are made on special orders, with furnished designs and under exclusive arrangements. To the first-class traveller throughout the continent one of the New-York names that is always to be seen in first-class establishments is that of Amasa Lyon.

The Amasa Lyon productions rank equal to the highest grades of those made in foreign countries.

Source: King's Handbook of New York City - Moses King - 1892


The Lyon Umbrella Company was incorporated in January, 1900. Its President is Frank A. Munsey; Vice-President, Amasa Lyon, of New York; Secretary, Bernard C. Lyon of New York; Treasurer, John Fogler of New London.

Source: Picturesque New London and Its Environs - 1901

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IRWIN & Co.

79, Duane Street, later, 6, Howard Street, New York


Irwin & Co., manufacturers of cane heads, removed Saturday from 79 Duane St., to more spacious quarters at 6 Howard St.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 4th April 1894

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EDWARD N. COOK PLATE Co.

70, Ship Street, Providence, Rhode Island



Edward N. Cook Plate Co. - Providence, R.I. - 1916

Established in 1856. Incorporated in 1901.

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GLASGOW UMBRELLA MANUFACTORY - ROYAL DROOKO UMBRELLAS - JOSEPH WRIGHT

106, Argyle Street and 48, Argyle Arcade, Glasgow



Glasgow Umbrella Manufactory - Glasgow - 1889


Glasgow Umbrella Manufactory - Glasgow - 1890


Glasgow Umbrella Manufactory - Glasgow - 1891


Royal Drooko Umbrellas - Glasgow - 1896


Mr. Joseph Wright's name has become a household word in respect of his famous Drooko and other umbrellas. It may not be generally known that he has other claims to the affectionate regard of Scotsmen everywhere by reason of what he has written and done for the poems and memory of Janet Hamilton, and as a writer of capital Scots prose and verse. His well-known song, "Aye work awa'," has had a very large sale. His latest literary venture is a very pleasant little book, "Janet Hamilton and other papers " (Edinburgh : R. & R. Clark), in which much interesting information is given about the old poetess. In the other papers we have some charming Scots interiors, and the poems include "Aye work awa'" and "Ye're a' welcome hame." It is a book that will well repay perusal.

Source: The Scot's Magazine - December-May 1889-1890


Wright, Joseph. Laird NIcoll's Kitchen, and Other Scottish Stories. (Glasgow: Joseph Wright.) Paper coven. M. Mr. Wright seems to be a man of many parts. That he was the maker of a renowned umbrella called the Royal' Drooko," which statesmen and royal personages have united In praising, we knew full well; but that Joseph Wright was also a story-writer, a poet, and a publisher, we did not know until this publication of his came our way. A man deserves well of his country who can till a good Scotch story, write a good Scotch song, and make an umbrella which causes men like Gladstone and Salisbury, Bright and Balfour, Beecher and Blackie for once to agree together.

Source: The Review of Reviews - William Thomas Stead - 1892




In the streets, strange to say, it is only of late years—almost of late months — that the use of handsomely decorated wagons for street use has been anything like extensive. We have had occasionally something of the kind. I think about the beginning of it was a light one horse wagon, imported some twelve years ago by the then agents of the Richmond Gem Cigarette, Messrs. H. K. Terry &Co. From time to time someone gets up a decorated cart or four-wheeled cab. At present five or six important firms are running street carriages bearing advertisements in London. One of the handsomest in Great Britain is a two-horse wagon used by my friend, Mr. Joseph Wright, of Glasgow, manufacturer of the well-known “ Drooko " umbrella, of which I send a photograph. This is a very high-class affair, the horses used being an exceedingly handsome pair which cost a large ‘ sum to match, horses always being dear in pairs for that reason. Mr. Wright also runs carrier-tricycles with advertising boxes.

Source: Art in Advertising - (London Letter by T.B. Russell) - August 1895

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SIMONS, BRO. & Co.

616, Chestnut Street, Philadelphia



Simons, Bro. & Co. - Philadelphia - 1898

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EDWARD STEIN

New York


PATENT DESIGN No.: 22,310



Filed 4th February 1893 - Serial No. 461,069 - Term of patent 3½ years.

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HENRY FRANZ

Brooklyn, New York


Henry Franz, a manufacturer of umbrella mountings, of Brooklyn, died at his home, 866 Willoughby Ave., Saturday. Death was due to dropsy, from which he had been suffering for a long time. Mr. Franz was born in Vienna, Austria, 54 years ago. He came to this country 30 years ago, locating in New York as a gold and silver mounter of umbrellas and parasols. A few years later he established a business at Kosciusko St. and Throop Ave., Brooklyn, which he carried on until his death. Mr. Franz was a member of the Arion Singing Society and also of the German Hospital Society. A widow and six children, two sons and four daughters, survive him. Funeral services were held yesterday. The interment was at Evergreen Cemetery.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 15th September 1897

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