Postby dognose » Wed Jul 28, 2021 2:00 pm
WILLIAM MASON & Co.
19, Friday Street and 69, Newton Street, Piccadilly, Manchester
WILLIAM MASON & CO., WHOLESALE UMBRELLA AND SUNSHADE MANUFACTURERS (FOR HOME AND EXPORT),
19, FRIDAY STREET, AND 69, NEWTON STREET, PICCADILLY, MANCHESTER.
HE is said to have been a brave man who first ate an oyster, and while we do not for a moment gainsay the assertion, we are inclined to claim an equal share of credit for the man who first carried an umbrella in public. It must have needed a stout heart and sturdy independence to withstand the gibes and jeers of the irrepressible street urchins, backed by the more serious hostility of the hackney coachmen and Sedan chairmen, who foresaw in this new method of defying the elements a large diminution in their trade. Men have faced death on the battlefield who would not dare to exploit a new fashion or lead the way with a new and extraordinary custom; and if worthy Jonas Hanway really did (as many believe) first carry an umbrella in the streets of London, he is assuredly entitled to all the renown that such a hazardous achievement can bestow upon his name. The “whirligig of Time” has wrought changes in this as in other matters, and nowadays he is the man of courage (and of foolhardiness forsooth) who dares to go far without an umbrella in the marvellous climatic conditions under which our land exists at the present day. To the man and the woman of the modern age, the umbrella (and with it its dainty offspring, the sunshade) is as indispensable as any established article of personal attire, and as umbrellas and sunshades have undoubtedly “come to stay,” it follows that those who engage extensively in their manufacture hold a very important place in the industrial community, and exercise no small influence in the social world besides. As an example in point we may mention the well-known Manchester house of Messrs. William Mason & Co.
No firm of umbrella and sunshade manufacturers is more widely or more favourably known, and none has gained more honourable renown by its efforts to make the umbrella of to-day a vast improvement upon its ungainly prototype of a hundred years ago. This house, although founded as recently as the year 1887 by its present esteemed principal, has made wonderful advance strides since then, and has established itself among the leaders of the trade in Manchester. Its progress was greatly aided at the very first by the prompt introduction of a genuine and interesting novelty — a waterproof or rain-repellent parapluie, which bears the appropriate name of the “Augur Rain-Repellent Umbrella.” This umbrella (which Messrs. Mason have protected by registration) is made in a variety of qualities, the coverings being in alpacas, dagmars, and glorias; and the material is rendered waterproof by a peculiar preparation and process by which the outward appearance of the fabric is unaltered. In this waterproofing lies the special feature of the new umbrella, and it certainly, meets a requirement that has long been urgent, for now we can be entirely freed from the inconvenience of having to enter trains or trams (or, to be more emphatic, of having other people enter such public conveyances), armed with a dripping umbrella that is a menace to everyone in its vicinity. On giving the “Augur” umbrella a slight shake the rain-drops fall off it immediately, like water off the proverbial duck’s back, and the result is satisfactory alike to the bearer of the umbrella and to those whose lot it is to sit or stand in close proximity to him.
Mr. Mason deserves the thanks of the public for this really excellent invention (which, by the way, has already been favoured with the sincere flattery of imitation), and we are not in- the least surprised that the introduction of the “Augur” umbrella should have greatly promoted the growth of this flourishing business. During the short period the new umbrella has been before the public a large and increasing demand for it has arisen, and we have no doubt whatever that this demand will be fully maintained, for the article only needs to become known to secure lasting popularity. Let it be distinctly understood that there is nothing at all in the appearance of the “Augur” umbrella to mark it as a new departure, so that no one need fear attracting undue attention by adopting it. The change is in the substance, not in the aspect, and the new umbrella is simply our old and well-tried friend, with all his merits enhanced by the evanishment of his defects.
Messrs. William Mason & Co. have now developed an immense business in every department of the umbrella and sunshade trade, and at the above address they occupy spacious and admirably appointed premises, where they employ upwards of one hundred hands in the various processes of a highly interesting industry. Here we find the best methods and materials in use, and goods of splendid value are turned out in all grades and at all prices. Wonderful indeed is the variety of “sticks” called into requisition, from the elegant cane of Malacca to the pimento-wood of the West Indies, while orange and olive sticks from Spain and Algiers, cherry-wood of delicious scent from the Danube, and bamboo from the Flowery Land apparently retain the favour they have so long enjoyed in the fashionable world. As to the handles and heads with which the sticks are ornamented, their variety is well-nigh infinite, and all the skill and ingenuity of French, German, and English designers and artizans seem to be concentrated in an especial degree upon the production of novelties in this line.
Messrs. Mason’s stock of umbrellas and sunshades is representative of every new idea and every standard type known in the trade, and one might fill a volume in describing the multitude of different styles and qualities displayed in their spacious show-rooms. One great point is ever prominent, and that is superiority of workmanship and finish. This we find in all the goods, not excepting the cheapest, and there can be no doubt that to this characteristic of their manufactures, the firm owe a very large measure of the success they have so rapidly achieved. There is always room for really good and reliable articles in every department of trade, and Messrs. Mason’s productions are finding a market in every quarter of the globe — a proof at once of the truth of this assertion and of the merit of these goods. Wholesale houses and shippers are supplied upon the most advantageous terms with every product of Messrs. Mason’s comprehensive industry, from the daintiest of fashionable sunshades or the costliest of ivory-handled and gold-mounted umbrellas down to the plainest and most utilitarian member of the multitudinous “Gamp” family; and the firm are displaying exemplary enterprise in the management of their steadily-increasing trade, the routine of which is facilitated by agencies in London, and also Ireland and Scotland. Every effort is made to give genuine satisfaction to the trade, both at home and abroad, and frequent and regular “repeat” orders from all parts show that patronage once bestowed upon this thoroughly reliable and well-conducted house has a tendency to be continuous. Mr. William Mason personally superintends the entire concern, and its conspicuous success stands as a high practical tribute to his ability, enterprise, and sound judgment.
Source: Progress - Commerce - 1892
Trev.