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James Bayne Company negatives

 Collection
Identifier: Collection 165

Scope and Contents

This collection provides only very limited representation of the Bayne printing company and its work over several decades. No documents of the firm are given here, although some select items may be found in other collections in the archives.

The furniture negatives show furniture buyers a sample of the piece of furniture before buying, and this made it easier for door-to-door salesmen. The negatives are detailed pictures of furniture, parks, Grand Rapids buildings, roads and statues. Most of the glass negatives are of furniture, while the film negatives are of Grand Rapids buildings and parks. There are also large film negatives of the Grand Rapids Press book and a small historical background on James Bayne and his company. The Bayne Co. interiors show shots such as people working in the photo studios, in offices, or darkrooms. Other shots show printing machinery. The Parks shown in the Grand Rapids area are Aman Park, Caledonia Park, Chief Hazy Cloud Park, Fallasburg Park, and Fisk Knob Park. The furniture pieces shown are sofas, desks, dressers, tables, and sideboards.

Dates

  • circa 1900-1920

Creator

Biographical / Historical

James Bayne (1845-1924) started his furniture photographing career in Grand Rapids in the late 1800s, when the demand for visual proof of quality furniture merchandise was in demand. His business grew rapidly, and he took pictures of items ranging from typewriters to funeral caskets in addition to furniture. Bayne enjoyed hunting and fishing during his leisure time. Bayne died in 1924 at the age of 79.

Extent

4 Linear Feet (14 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The James Bayne Company was a photography and printing business in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This collection includes 198 film negatives and 73 glass plate negatives. The images depict furniture, the interior of the Bayne Company and Grand Rapids area parks and buildings. The views include Fallasburg Park, Aman Park, Veteran's Park, Caledonia Park, Chief Hazy Cloud Park, Burton School, Sunshine Hospital, St. Mary's Hospital, Furniture Capital Air Service and the Consumer's Power Company Croton Dam.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Dirk and Sally Van Kuik, 1991, accession number 1991.022

Related Materials

Coll. 054, GRPL Photographs Collection. Images identified for Bayne in this collection date from the 1880s.

Coll. 076, GRPL Stereo Card Collection. Includes at least one image by Bayne.

Coll. 078, GRPL Postcard Collection. Set of Advertising “Reminder” cards nos. 2, 4-6.

Coll. 128, Stephen Stover Glass Negatives Collection. Stover was from Canada, and worked for the Bayne Co., among other Grand Rapids print companies.

Coll. 140, John Suchowolec Collection. He worked for the Bayne Company until moving to the Grand Rapids Herald in the 1950s.

Coll. 141, Grand Rapids Historical Society Collection has a family history for James Bayne.

Coll. 216, GRPL Ephemera Co., includes annual outing yearbooks for the Bayne staff, ca. 1912-1920.

Coll. 224-17, Graphic Clipping, Photo montage created by James Bayne of Michigan National Guard.

Coll. 289, Greater Grand Rapids Publishers and Publishing Collection, includes images of staff at work, at least one catalog of the work of the firms, and a representative publication.

Title
Finding Aid for the James Bayne Company negatives
Status
Completed
Author
Aron Shroll
Date
May 1993
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Grand Rapids History Center Repository

Contact:
Grand Rapids Public Library
111 Library Street NE
Grand Rapids Michigan 49503 USA
616-988-5497