E. C. Kent, of the Kent Furniture Company, carpets
and furniture, Petersburg, Va., was in Baltimore the 28th
ult., after which he visited Philadelphia and New York.
Although Mr. Kent has only been eight months in busi-
ness he has built up a large and flourishing trade.
The large carpet and dry goods firm of Rodock &
Neidig, Frederick, Md. , has been dissolved by mutual con-
sent, Mr. Neidig withdrawing from the firm. George S.
Rodock has associated with him in the business Peter E.
Bussard, imder the firm name of George S. Rodock & Co.
The East Baltimore Business Men's Association held
their annual banquet at the White Hall Building the 27th
ult. , and elected directors for the ensuing year. Among
the firms represented were Samuel Hecht, Jr.,& Sons;
S. C. Koehler, and B. Noah & Son and D. M. Reese,
secretary of the Furniture Board of Trade.
Jacob Lowenthal, of Lowenthal & Sons, carpets and
furniture, and Miss Mamie A. Reinach were married the
2d inst. A dinner and reception followed the ceremony,
after which Mr. and Mrs. Lowenthal left for a trip North.
New Buildings A Presbyterian church to cost $6,000 will
be erected in Baltimore; address Richard K. Cross, secre-
tary of the Presbyterian Association. C. Larsen and
Thomas H. Lewis have the contract for the erection of a
$5,000 church in Brookhaven, Miss. An addition, to cost
$50,000, will be made to the Hotel College Arms, De Land,
Fla. A new Methodist Episcopal church will be erected
in West Liberty, Md. The congregation of Homestead
Methodist Episcopal Church, Homestead, Md., will build
a new church edifice. The Presbyterians will build a
church on the corner of Ashland avenue and Washington
street, Baltimore. A Presbyterian church will be built in
Blacksburg, Va. ; address Prof. L. S. Randolph. The
congregation of Sharp Street Methodist Episcopal Church,
Baltimore, will erect a new edifice; address Rev. D. W.
Hayes, pastor. A handsome stone Protestant Episcopal
church will be built in Canton, Baltimore. The Standard
Club, Nashville, Tenn., will erect a club house to cost
$15,000. It is stated that Klaw & Erlanger will build a
large and handsome theatre in New Orleans. The Metho-
dists will erect a $10,000 church building in Greenville,
Tex. ; address pastor of Wesley Methodist Episcopal
Church. The Rome (Ga.) Opera House will be remod-
eled and rebuilt by J. B. Nevin. Fayette County, Ky.,
will build a court house to cost $150,000; address the
county clerk. The First Cumberland Presbyterian con-
gregation will build a church in Dallas, Tex. ; address
Rev. J. Frank Smith. R. L. E.
ARNOLD, CONSTABLE & CO.'S MATTINGS.
IN their new advertisement on page 2 of the cover
Arnold, Constable & Co. call attention to their exten-
sive offerings in China and Japan mattings, which are
ready for immediate delivery. The lines include an im-
mense variety of patterns in Japanese staple cotton warps
and novelties, and also the firm's own brands of China
goods. In the attractive line of Kurdistan rugs a large
number of new patterns will be found, comprising a variety
of Persian, Yhordes. Ferahan, Indian and other styles.
These are 'heavy all wool goods, which are both handsome
and durable.
The councilmen and aldermen of Buffalo, N. Y., have
directed the corporation counsel to prepare an ordinance
providing for the licensing of department stores, and for
the payment of a license fee for every department except-
ing the one legitimate business of the stores.
S. Telfeyan &. Co., of 139 Broadway, New York, an-
nounce as their latest importations of Oriental rugs lines
of fine Bokharas, Sumacs or Cashmeres, and Shirvans,
which are offered at very low prices. They show also a
rare assortment of antique Iran rugs, and remind the
trade that their big stock of Bagdad portieres is not yet
exhausted. These goods were imported before the new
tariff went into effect, and the prices are low in propor-
tion, but must soon be advanced.
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The Carpet and Upholstery Trade Review.
MISTAKEN IDEAS IN THE RUG TRADE.
ESiRAELE as many Oriental
rugs may be there is prob-
ably no branch of the car-
pet trade in this country in
which so much misunder-
standing exists. A dealer
may call an Oriental rug by
almost any name he chooses,
and, unless the purchaser be
a connoisseur, detection is
almost impossible.
True, each district may
send out its own individual
design or weave, which no
other district may copy,
but there is often an
overlapping, as it were,
of products that is ex-
. - â– ' S. tremely puzzling, even
''-;::~rzi:rz=^Ss-L_ to the experienced
buyer. To illustrate :
The large sized Yourdes (or Ghiordes) rugs are manufac-
tured in a district of Smyrna, Turkey, so also is the
Innely, or Demirjik, in which the pile or nap is very much
the same, being only slightly heavier than the Yourdes.
Gullistans and Hamidies also come from the Smyrna dis-
trict, the former being frequently sold for Hamidies.
Where so slight a difference exists it will be seen that mere
names are often interchangeable.
It is conceded that many Oriental rugs are very old,
very many representing several generations; in fact, the
finest antiques are frequently of unknown age. In respect
to colors time is an artist and imparts to what may at first
be glaring effects a richness, a softness found in no other
dyes but the Oriental, which are composed of vegetables,
and are produced by fermentation. All efforts to imitate
the lasting qualities of these dyes by means of chemicals
have failed, but so-called modem " enterprise" has intro-
duced these chemical dyes to such an extent that there are
but few of the large sized Turkish or Persian carpets pro-
duced at the present day in which vegetable dyes are used,
all claims to the contrary notwithstanding. For this reason
the value of an antique Oriental rug must continually
increase.
Many Persian rugs, notably the Herez, come in camel's
hair colors, said to be natural, but oftener dyed. Others,
very bright in color, are manipulated by unscrupulous
workmen, who use certain acids to produce the desired
dull effect. This method invariably rots the fibre, a fact
which the unsuspecting buyer may not discover until too
late.
Notwithstanding these dravi^backs there is a charm, an
individuality about an Oriental rug that grows with associ-
ation. Much of this is due to their almost infinite variety.
Although the weaver may follow a pattern, the possession
of his family for generations, he allows such play to the
fancy in working out the design, he is such a wizard in
the blending of colors, through a Hfetime of study, that
the result is scarcely two rugs are alike. Except in the
machine made article, it is doubtful if any two rugs are
ever found that are precisely alike in every respect.
Herein is another advantage of the genuine hand-made
Oriental production over the modern machine woven
textile. Old Dealer.
ST. LOUIS SIFTINGS.
The unsold portion of the stock of the " Fair Shoe and
Clothing Company," including a lot of carpets, matting
and upholsteries was sold by auction on the
St. Louis,
February 8.
5th inst. by S. A. Rider, trustee for the
creditors.
The J. Kennard & Sons Carpet Company have con-
verted their entire second floor into a rug department,
which they say is the largest and most elegant of the kind
in the United States. It is certainly immense and im-
posing.
At the annual election of the Business Men's League,
held two weeks ago, Mr. S. M. Kennard declined a re-
election as president, owing to pressing private engage-
ments. His retirement was deeply regretted by the
members, who expressed their sentiments in a highly com-
plimentary resolution.
On January 24 Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Trorlicht gave one
of the largest balls that ever occurred in St. Louis. It
took place at the rooms of the Union Club and the occa-
sion was the introduction of their daughters, the Misses
Trorlicht to the fashionable world. Several hundred
guests participated and the floral decorations and other
arrangements were magnificent. The receiving party
included Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Trorlicht, Mr. and Mrs. H.
E. Trorlicht, Miss Trorlicht and Miss Lilian Trorlicht.
Among the guests were Capt. Henri Duncker, Mr. Charles
Duncker and Mr. Louis Renard, of the Trorlicht, Duncker
& Renard Carpet Company and many other distinguished
citizens and their families.
The Governor of Missouri and the Mayor of St. Louis
are bestirring themselves in order to secure a full repre-
sentation of the merchants and manufacturers of the State
at the Omaha Exposition. For that purpose it is proposed
to raise a fund of $50,000 and the following (among other)
committees have been selected to canvass the mercantile
community of this city: On carpets, Messrs. J. B. Ken-
nard, Louis Renard and I. H. Tiemeyer; on dry goods
(wholesale), Messrs. Elias Michael, E. C. Lewis, Morris
Glaser and G. H. Augustine; on dry goods (retail),
Messrs. D. C. Nugent, Geo. M. Wright, J. F. Crawford,
C. A. Stix and C. E. Barney; on furniture, Messrs. Gea,
T. Parker, M. Lammert and James A. Reardon; on mat-
tresses, H. N. Davis and J. H . Kentner. All appointees
have entered upon the work with enthusiasm and a suc-
cessful exhibit from St. Louis is already assured.
B. W. B.
The Smith Axminster seamless carpets shown in the
rug department of W. & J. Sloane have made a very favor-
able impression on the trade.
Any up-to-date Ingrain manufacturing firm that wishes
to connect itself with a jobbing house having a large trade
throughout the country, is advised to note the advertise-
ment signed " O. P. Q. "under the heading of Special
Notices in this issue. This is a rare opportunity for a
firm able to make first-class goods in salable styles.
The Carpet and Upholstery Trade Review.
©bituar^.
Albert Ammerman.
Albert Ammerman, who died on the 3d inst., was a large
factor in the buildingupof oneof Brooklyn's most successful
and important enterprises in the furniture, carpet and
drapery trade. He was secretary and general manager and
a large stockholder in the Cowperthwait Company. The
name of Cowperthwait dates back to Revolutionary times,
but the growth of the Cowperthwait Company of Brook-
lyn has been largely due to the energy and good manage-
ment of Mr. Ammerman. When the present concern was
formed in 1881 he was the moving spirit.
Mr. Ammerman was born in Englishtown, Monmouth
County, N. J., sixty years ago, and began his mercantile
life at the age of eleven as a boy in a country store in New
Brunswick, where he remained until of age, when he took
a position with A. T. Stewart & Co. Two years later he
became secretary and general manager of the South
Brooklyn Saw Mill and Lumber Company. Here he
remained till 1878, when he was elected Auditor of the
City of Brooklyn. Two years later he determined to re-
turn to commercial life, and the result was the establish-
ment of the Cowperthwait Company. Under his manage-
ment the concern has won a distinguished success.
These facts in themselves are sufficient to characterize
Mr. Ammerman's business abilities. Socially he was a
tactful gentleman, who will be missed by many who
never had trade dealings with him. He was a mem-
ber of the Oxford Club, Long Island Council, R. A.,
and belonged to several Masonic orders, as well as the
Scottish Rite and the Mystic Shrine. He was also a
valued member of the Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian con
gregation. He leaves a widow and four daughters, three
of whom are married.
The funeral services were held at Mr. Ammerman's late
residence, 150 South Elliott place, Brooklyn, at 11 a. m
on the 5th inst.. Rev. Dr. Gregg officiating. Among
those present were Mr. and Mrs. M. B. Cowperthwait,
J. Howard Cowperthwait and many employees of the
Cowperthwait Company, as well as Wm. Berri, of Wm.
Berri's Sons; John Cornell, of W. & J. vSloane; R. B.
Halley, of the Lowell Company; John Kirby, of the H. B.
Claflin Company; A. Watson, of Abraham & Straus, and
E. W. Jacobson, of The Review.
Richard Scorer, of the firm of Scorer &. Hepler, carpet
and furniture dealers. Homestead, Pa., died on January
20 of typhoid fever: The firm has been in business about
three years and has been very successful.
The mercantile agencies announce the deaths of George
H. Clark, Laurel, Del. ; I. E. Gilbert, of I. E. Gilbert &
Co., Modesto, Cal., Joseph Gelino, of Joseph Gelino &
Sons, Kankakee, 111. ; T. E. Hargrave, of T. E. Hargrave
& Son, Mount Pleasant, Iowa ; William Prophett, of Wm.
Prophett & Son, Bridgewater, Mass. ; S. M. See, of S. M.
See & Sons, Charlevoix, Mich. ; Robert Simpson, presi-
dent of the Robert Simpson Company, Limited, Toronto.
Charles Schofield, a retired manufacturer, died on Jan-
uary 31 of pneumonia at his residence, Roxborough, Pa.
Mr. Schofield was born in England in 1820, and came to
this country more than forty years ago, and located on
Mill Creek road, at a place known as Toddtown, Mont-
gomery County, Pa., where he began manufacturing car-
pet yarns. He subsequently removed to Roxborough,
and carried on the same business at Manayunk until about
twenty years ago, when he retired. He is survived by
two children.
AMERICAN LINOLEUM MANUFACTURING COMPANY
JOSEPH Wild Co., sole agents for the American Lino-
leum Manufacturing Company show an exceptionally,
extensive and well varied line of patterns in printed
linoleum, comprising five grades and a number of entirely
new effects in colorings. The company's new line of in-
laid linoleum has attracted particular attention as repre-
senting the finest results attainable in such goods as re-
gards quality of fabric and beauty of designs and color-
ings. Every buyer should see this line.
McCLEARY, WALLIN & CROUSE'S SMYRNAS.
THE line of Smyrna rugs and carpets made by McCleary,
Wallin & Crouse has found quick and wide apprecia-
tion in the trade . The line includes three grades, which
are made in all sizes, from rugs to carpets, and comprise
an exceptionally extensive range of new and artistic pat-
terns. Every rug buyer should see these goods, which
are shown by W. & J. Sloane, the sole agents.
The building at 118 to 12G Merrimac street, Boston,
occupied by G. W. Bent & Co., manufacturers of mat-
tresses, bedding, church cushions, &c., was destroyed by
fire on the morning of February 5. The contents, valued
at $30,000, are a total loss, and the damage to the build-
ing itself brings the aggregate up to $75,000. Insurance
on building, $35,000; on stock, &c., $19,650. Six firemen
were killed.
41
The Carpet and Upholstery Trade Review.
San Francisco,
February 6.
THE NEWS ON THE PACIFIC SLOPE.
Wholesale and retail furniture dealers say that business is verj'
quiet now, but it is the general opinion that with the advent of
spring a trade awakening will result. The Klon-
dike excitement is on in full sway and the San
Francisco outfitting houses are doing a land
office business. All lines of trade will be benefited directly or in-
directly.
Hulse, Bradford & Co. report the best carpet business in years.
W. C. Holywell, a furniture dealer at Riverside, Cal. , has sold out
to Chas. D. Gandy.
Representative Kennedy, of the Gould-Mersereau Company, was
a recent visitor here.
Gen. E. P. Johnson, proprietor of the Los Angeles (Cal.) Furni-
ture Company, is on a trip East.
W. F. Cordes, proprietor of the Emporium Carpet Department,
has added to his large stock an excellent selection of very fine goods.
Burns & Daniels, furniture dealers, of McMinville, Ore., have dis-
solved partnership, Mr. Daniels having sold his interest to his part-
ner, Mr. Burns, who will continue as sole owner.
Work on the buildings of a large manufacturing company at
Guaymas, Mexico, is being rapidly pushed. A furniture factory is
one of the industries to be carried on in the buildings.
Mr. Zechs has resigned from the Indianapolis Furniture Company,
San Francisco, and gone to the Pattosien Company, and Emil Arps
has left the latter firm and accepted a position with the former.
Albert C. Jones, secretary of the Los Angeles (Cal.) Furniture
Company, has been selected to fill the vacancy in the Park Com-
mission of Los Angeles, caused by the resignation of R. J. Waters.
Mr. Field, representing W. T. Smith & Son, at San Francisco, has
returned from Los Angeles and Southern California, where he en-
joyed considerable success, especially in their new line of Axminster
rugs.
P. J. Keeler, representing Dunlap & Son, Swire & Scott, the
Hodges Fiber Carpet Company and others, was recently in this city
and did a good business. W. L. Burgess, representmg the Ivins,
Dietz & Metzger Company, was also here recently and received
his quota of trade, and Mr. Groom, of H. L. Judd & Co., was in
town a few days ago.
Charles E. Fredericks, of Joseph Fredericks & Co. , has returned
from a four week Eastern purchasing trip, and W. A. Ristenpart,
of the furniture department of W. & J. Sloane & Co., has returned
from the East, having been gone but three weeks from San
Francisco. He says that he never can get back to California fast
enough to suit him. Golden Gate.
CARPET WOOL MARKET.
APPRECIATES THE REMNANT SUPPLEMENT.
Washington, D. C, Februarj' 9, 1898.
The Carpet and Upholstery Trade Review :
I hope our remnant list was not to late for publication,
for there never was such an enclycopsedia or universal
benefit to the retailer as the Remnant Supplement of The
Carpet and Upholstery Trade Review. It puts all re-
tailers everywhere in perfect touch with one another, and
no well regulated carpet department can afford to be with-
out it.
The Julius Lansburgh Furniture and Carpet Co.
D. A. Childs.
Latest advices from Canton state that the straw mat-
ting market is strong. No fresh settlements are reported,
as only April- May delivery can be obtained, and dealers
not wishing to run any risk are quoting high prices. An
all around increase in prices is maintained, and a further
rise may be expected. Contracts remain at 220,000 rolls.
T
he market remains unchanged,
are as follows :
The latest quotations
^Cents.^
^Cents.^
Aleppo, unwashed.
12 to
12}4
Donskoi, washed.
.17
to 28
Angora, "
12^-
14
Georgian
.12
" 16
Bagdad, colors ....
18 "
20
Kandahar, white.
.20
" 21
" white
20 "
Karadi, washed. . .
.13
•• 16
Calmuc, unwashed.
10 "
11
Khorassan, washed. 16
" iiyi
washed . .
13 "
12 "
11 "
15
14><
13^
.21
• 16>^
.12'/
" 23
Camel hair
Mosul, washed. . . .
•■18
China black
Orfa, unwashed . .
" 13
China white
11 "
17
Salonica,
.12./
•■14
Cordova, unwashed
13 "
14
Scotch,
.16
" 17
Crimean fleece
Smyrna, "
.12
" 13
unwashed
16 "
Valparaiso "
.13
" 14
Damascus,unwashed 12
12K
Vickanier, washed
.23
" 24
In their last trade circular, H. W. Hammand & Co.,
the Liverpool wool brokers, say :
The public auctions of East India wool, in progress at the date of
our last issue, closed with a quiet tone on the 21st inst. The total
quantity offered was 27,517 bales, of which 8,500 bales are now held
over the account importers. The heavy withdrawals were again
mainly due to high limits. The result of the series is disappointing,
values showing a decline on almost all descriptions. The attendance
throughout the week was rather under the average, and competition
dragged except in the case of good Yellows, supported by a strong
export demand, which maintained previous sales' rates. Joria
Whites, owing to limited supply, also showed little or no change, but
Vickaniers sold irregularly at about _^d. per pound decline.
Kandahar ruled weak, entailing heavy withdrawals, a few lots of
clean long wool realized previous rates, but the large proportion of
dingy and dirty parcels were subject to a decline of }{.&. to ^d. per
pound, and the same applies to Yellows under 6d. per pound usually
in request for the United States. Medium whites, such as Jessel-
raere, Marwar and short Bicanere were again weaker by %A., due to
the quiet state of the blanket trade, and gray wools were also easier
to buy, while ginned showed no quotable change. The most disap-
pointing feature was the limited American demand, purchases
amounting to only 2,300 bales against 4,900 bales in November; on
the other hand 2,800 bales were bought for France, compared with
1,700 bales in the previous series.
On the same subject Hughes & Isherwood, wool brokers,
Liverpool, say:
The result of this series has come as an unpleasant surprise to
everyone. That the home trade has suffered severely from the
engineers' strike and fears of other labor difficulties, seems to be in-
disputable; and, of course, deprived of the usual LTnited States
demand, 27,500 bales was a supply much in excess of buyers'
requirements. In these circumstances it is significant that while
Bombay consignments — which are properly cleaned — suffered only
slightly in value and were nearly all sold, Karachi shipments met a
much worse experience. Not only was the fall in their case heavier,
but a very large proportion of them had to be taken in. For the
poor reception they met with two causes are mainly responsible, viz.,
their general unattractiveness and in many cases dirty condition,
and the mistaken policy which many shippers follow of continuing
to put limits on them. American mills, which for some time past
have been their chief buyers, have discovered at last how unsatis-
factory their outturn is and — in the present state of the carpet
industry there at any rate — want no more of them. No feature in
this series was more marked than the good reception accorded to
clean, carefully sorted shipments and the neglect shown to badly got
up wool, especially when it was hampered with limits or was old,
held over stock.
Under Special Notices will be found an opportunity for
an active man to buy out an established carpet and furni-
ture business in Brooklyn.
The Carpet and Upholstery Trade Review.
JAPANESE RUGS AND CARPETS.
loNSLL Brekan, in a report
to the British Government
on the industries of Japan,
says : ' ' Carpet and rug
manufacture emploj's a
large number of hands,
chiefly children. In Japan
the carpet is a modem
luxurj-. The trade has now
grown to large proportions,
and affords one instance of
the Japanese being able to
beat those from whom they
learned. In 1890 27,593
carpets, valued at 51,048
yen, were exported; in
1896 the exports were
661,732 carpets, valued at
1,152,177 yen. Carpet
making affords a striking
example of the successful
competition of cheap labor with machinery. At Sakai
there is no large factor}' ; the hand looms are distributed
all over the town, and the carpet dealers supply the ma-
terial and pay the workers by the piece. In each house
there may be three or four looms, ranging from 3 feet to
24: feet wide. To each loom there are from two to four
children, with a grown-up person superintending the work.
With incredible speed the children, some of them as young
as seven, pass the yam in and out of the warp, and snip
off the right length with a pair of spring clippers. They
are all kneeling at their work on a plank laid at the foot
of the loom, and they slide backward and forward along
their allotted share of the design. As their little fingers
pass the yam in and out of the cotton threads these small
children sing a sort of nursery rhyme, which helps them
to remember the pattern, and at intervals the woman in
charge leads off a new verse, which the children at once
take up, and simultaneousl}' effect the change suggested
by the new music and words. They work, or at least are
at their work, for twelve hours a day, and their wages
come to about Id. a day, but the amount, whatever it is,
does not trouble them, for it is not theirs to spend. Japa-
nese child life throughout the land seems happy, but I
make an exception in the case of these little carpet weavers,