Throughout its history, Batavia has had a wide variety of businesses and industries make their home here.
Some became pillars of the community lasting decades. Others have come and gone rather quickly.
However, the most unusual and interesting business from Batavia’s past might be the K.B. Mathes Shell & Novelty Company. The company was in operation mainly during the first two decades of the 20th century, being a pioneer in the field of shell novelty items.
The final products of their efforts were highly sought-after by buyers from around the world before World War I. It seems to be an odd business to flourish but for two decades it did.
The founder of the Mathes Shell & Novelty Company, Kirk B. Mathes, had begun making shell decorated novelty items in Buffalo around the turn of the century. As his business grew, he brought the company to Batavia in 1901, with a workforce of 25 people.
Mathes initially found a temporary space for his company behind the Dellinger Theatre.
At the end of that year, he found a permanent location on Jefferson Avenue for his factory. However, he needed assistance to buy the property, and received $1,000 raised by the Board of Trade.
Work soon began on the building in April 1902 and the factory opened within the year. It consisted of three large brick buildings encompassing 40,000 square feet and large shipping yards.
Additions were added in 1905 and 1906 to reach the maximum workspace. The main office of the factory was finely decorated, with the woodwork coming from the Batavia and New York Wood Working Company.
The newest machinery was made to order for Mathes. It was said that no place in the United States was better prepared to compete with Mathes after the factory was completed.
The process of making these novelties was time-intensive and took skilled workmen to complete. The shells had to first by cleaned in large vats of lye and then be decorated by hand in all manner of shells.
Some of items of the company’s catalog included napkin rings made with cowry shells, pin cushions made of large shells stuffed with velvet, and glass paperweights filled with various shells.
The Mathes Company sent agents around the world looking for all sorts of shells, and markets in which to sell. They had contacts in London, Bombay, Yokohama, Singapore, and Manila, and their products could be seen throughout the United States and Canada
The Mathes Shell & Novelty Company grew rapidly in Batavia. By 1909, it was incorporated with a capital stock of $70,000.
Mathes was able to introduce items constantly, reaching the ever-changing demand of the wide customer base. By 1914, the workforce had grown to 150 workers, and the company expanded into wooden plaques, felt pennants, metal ashtrays, and other articles.
The success also allowed it to wholesale goods to major companies like S.S. Kresge and S.H. Knox.
Business began to stall with the outbreak of World War I, as it became ever more difficult to get the shells that made up the majority of his business. To make matters worse, a 1918 fire damaged a part of one of the factory buildings.
This forced Mr. Mathes to stop the production of novelties and focus on a new product, Uni-Lak, a liquid finish for heels of ladies’ shoes that was applied with an airbrush. This was the first time an airbrush was used commercially. K.B. Mathes died in 1921 and his business was run by his wife and sister though without much success, and ceasing sometime before 1940.
"company" - Google News
April 24, 2021 at 11:15AM
https://ift.tt/3etJvbD
History with HLOM: K.B. Mathes had a sea shell novelty company in Batavia - The Daily News Online
"company" - Google News
https://ift.tt/33ZInFA
https://ift.tt/3fk35XJ
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "History with HLOM: K.B. Mathes had a sea shell novelty company in Batavia - The Daily News Online"
Post a Comment