Abstract Dale Rooks (1917-1954) was a photographer and journalist from Grand Rapids, Michigan. He worked for national publications and as a combat photographer in the US Coast Guard before returning to Grand Rapids to start his own business, Rooks Studio. This collection includes primarily original negatives created by Rooks and sometimes by his brother, Marius Rooks, or others who worked for the company. The clients of Rooks Studio included local furniture companies and other businesses. The...

Abstract

This is a small collection, containing photocopies of Edward Comstock Corwin’s handwritten research notes on the history of the furniture industry in Grand Rapids, Michigan. These notes include data points for Widdicomb Furniture Company, John Widdicomb Company, and the Widdicomb Mantel Company history. The source of the information is unknown.

Abstract The Furniture Manufacturers Association (FMA) was a furniture industry advocacy group in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This collection contains documents relating to the FMA and its predecessor associations. The collection primarily documents the work of the FMA, including minutes, correspondence and other files, publications, training materials, photographs, scrapbooks and some moving images. The bulk of the material dates from after World War I. The collection provides insight into...

Abstract

Giacomo "Jack" Buzzitta (1910-1989) was a furniture designer in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He designed for Stow & Davis for the majority of his career, from 1936 until his retirement in 1975. This collection includes furniture drawings and technical specifications completed by Buzzitta for Stow & Davis. Also included are catalogs and photographs relating to Stow & Davis, Widdicomb and Irwin furniture, as well as photographs from the periodical Good Furniture.

Abstract The Grand Rapids Furniture Designers Association (Grand Rapids, Michigan) is an organization of furniture designers dedicated to maintaining high standards in the design profession. The collection contains materials from the group's inception in 1917 through the 1990s. The bulk of the collection is scrapbooks and the magazine and newspaper articles provide access to locally printed design literature. The materials show how the designers influenced the furniture market and depict styles and...

Abstract

This is a devised collection that brings together small and unknown accessions of materials under this general topic. It also contains research materials identified by staff through reference requests, gathered together as biographical files or files on other topics, related specifically to the furniture designers of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Additional information on area furniture designers can also be found in many other GRPL archival collections.

Abstract

This is a devised collection that brings together miscellaneous small and unknown accessions related to the Grand Rapids furniture industry. The collection includes photographs, drawings, graphic clippings, ephemera and other material. Some items relating to Michigan furniture companies are also included.

Abstract Harry P. Symes (1918-1997) was the owner of an advertising firm and publisher of the Grand Rapids Visitor. This collection includes images that Symes appears to have collected, as well as images relating to his advertising work. The 88 glass negatives depict scenes of Grand Rapids, Michigan during the first two decades of the 20th century. Additionally, 21 postcards give views of such locations as John Ball Park, Monroe Avenue, North Park, hospitals and the post office. Also, 32 oversized...

Abstract Henry H. Masten (1882-1977) was a former manager of both the Furniture Exhibition Building and the Waters Building Corp. The Grandville, Michigan native was active in the local furniture wholesale market. This collection includes correspondence, news clippings, notes and photographs detailing the history of the Grand Rapids Furniture Market Association. Included is biographical data on Philip J. Klingman, one of the foremost wholesale furniture dealers in the city. The papers provide an...

Abstract Lawrence F. “Jim” Jessup (1904-1984) was a Kent County, Michigan newspaper reporter and freelance writer. He was particularly interested in the Grand Rapids furniture industry, and he wrote numerous articles about the history and current news of this important local industry. The collection documents Jessup's work as a reporter, particularly his research into the Grand Rapids furniture industry. Included are newspaper clippings, trade publications, photographs and negatives, handwritten...