Berkey & Gay Furniture Co. (Neg.#1325) View across a brick street to the factory complete. A five story building at left has a Berkey & Gay logo on the side, and appears to have a loading dock area along the yard side of the building. The 6-story building behind has a garage door open with people nearby. A 1-story addition to this building at right has “Office” at the door, and bicycles parked a ground level below the stairs to the door. The Berkey & Gay Tower is located in the center background in this image. A fire hydrant is in the foreground with an auto in front of the shorter building near another fire hydrant.

File — Box: 21, Folder: 5

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The collection provides insight into trademark protection litigation of the 1920s, 30s and 40s; as well as federal anti-trust actions of the 1920s. In addition, the collection documents various economic conditions in the industry such as wage costs, production costs, market trends and shipping costs. Also included are records detailing efforts to recruit, train and keep furniture workers. The photographs show views of factory exteriors and interiors, as well as products of various firms though the views of products generally date to the 1960s and later. The Grand Rapids Airplane Company of World War I, which was composed of most of the area furniture manufacturers, is also depicted. That Company made the Handley-Page bombers, none of which ever flew in battle due to the late entry of the United States into the War.