Fortunately (and unfortunately) for me, I was raised in a household full of near-antiques, and as a result have a general need to study …furniture. Alright well not actually study furniture per se, but get a sense of where an old ass bed frame or, case in point, my great grandfather’s office chair came from.
| I inherited the chair from my father probably about 10 or so years ago, which by now has a serious need of some light restoration (not entirely my fault people!). So I took it apart and flipped over the base to check the manufacturing label.
The B. L. Marble Chair company, Bedford Ohio. A cursory Googling reveals the company to be Bedford’s premiere furniture company for 100 years, making their foray into office furniture in 1910. So at its oldest, this chair is 100 years old. FUNFACT: B. L. Marble actually manufactured plane propellers during WWI, made entirely out of walnut. |
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But, taking a gander at the rear of the chair reveals a little brass plaque: Lucas Bros. Inc., Baltimore MD. Lucas Brothers Inc. was founded in 1804 and was the first stationer in the United States (Fielding Lucas Jr. created some of the very first commercial maps of Baltimore and the US). As a company they branched into retail – office supplies, furniture and the like – at some point, and began selling off their retail ventures in 1990. The original Lucas Bros. retail location was at 116 E. Baltimore St., which is today the Suntrust Building.
And that’s about all I can figure out. Whether there were additional Lucas Bros. locations around the city, when exactly the chair was purchased, …looks like some more digging is in order. Stay tuned!
With all the termites and cigarettes they had back then, you’d think they’d know better than to make propellers out of wood.
This has prompted me to scour ebay for vintage wooden props.
Lucas Bros. had locaions in the 200 block of Baltimore Street Baltimore MD, Towson MD, Salisbury MD, Pikesville MD and one other location that I can’t remeber. I was the last manager of the the downtown store before the company sold out to Corporate Express. Prior to being bought out they bought office supply companies from NC to PA. My mom and aunt worked for them for 40 years. If you want to know more informtion feel free to e-mail me and I’ll try to answer what little I know.
That’s incredibly helpful, thank you!
Hello,
I have come across a 2 drawer filing cabinet made of wood with the metal tags from Lucas Bros. I was interesting in finding more out about it.. I would appreciate any info you may have to offer…
Thanks in advance,
Lucas Brothers also had a location in Annapolis at 10 West Street. I worked there from August, 1978 until January, 1979 when I transferred to their distribution center in Elkridge. I drove a delivery truck for Lucas Brothers for about six months.
My husband’s grandfather worked for Lucas Bros, Inc. I have his SS application that listed his employer’s address as 219-221-223 E Baltimore (I thought that was a curious address). This was in Nov of 1936. He also worked for Art Metal Costruction Company based in Philadelphia, but he actually worked in North Carolina (I think Greensboro). Is there any link between these two companies? I would love any information you may have to round out this period of his life.
We have a beautiful bedroom set that family tradition says he made, but I’m thinking it came from the place where he worked.
I stumbled across this while searching Lucas Bros. I have a large safe (27 x 47 x 42) that was made by Lucas Bros. It obviously is old, but don’t know the age. Do you happen to know about what decade the Lucas Bros built safes? Thanks for your time.
Kelly
I worked for the Lucas Bros in Annapolis MD.
I found a beautiful desk in my family’s old farm house. It has a Lucas Brothers plate on it. The botton of the desk says To H.E. Pysher Furniture co Montgomery PA From Lucas Bros Balto MD.
It is in great condition and my favorite piece in the house. I would love to know any further history on either company.
Just given an 8 foot long table. Hardware ( nuts, bolts, screws ) seem to indicate 1880 to 1900. Has black stencil ” Lucas Brothers Baltimore Maryland ” under a leg and a grease pencil writing ” Earle Lucas ” as well. Am wondering where to begin my search. Was going to repurpose the wood for bookshelves. Maybe not. The top is veneer of some sort. The legs are very ornate. There are four large drawers built into the
recessed skirt which is tucked in under the table top.
I have a Lucas Brothers desk and chair. It is in excellent condition. How can I find out when it was made and it’s value.
office chairs that are made of steel and leather are the best stuff that you can use on your office`.,
I worked for Lucas Bros in Annapolis from 1989 to the day the stores closed.