Berkey and gay server

InWilliam Berkey arrived in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and founded a mill to manufacture window sashes and other wood building products. He was joined by his brother, Julius, who later began manufacturing what became known as the Berkey table. This was highly successful, and soon the Berkey brothers were concentrating on making furniture.

The company took on various partners over time, including George W. Inthe new company opened its six-story factory, complete with wholesale and retail showrooms, in Grand Rapids. Bythis factory covered three city blocks. The company is known for making Victorian furniture.

George W. One of these was the Oriel Cabinet Company, which he established in Oriel Cabinet constructed a factory at this site in the s, but the original factory was destroyed by fire in Inthe company constructed a new factory, which continues to occupy the site. In the company further expanded the factory feet north along Monroe Avenue.

BERKEY & GAY MAHOGANY SERVER C. 1940'S

Sales increased in the s and the company aggressively expanded. However, when the Great Depression hit, the company was unable to continue financing its new sites and was forced to sell to the Chicago-based Simmons Company. Even this was not enough, as Simmons declared bankruptcy inand the Grand Rapids factories closed their doors.

Local stockholders reopened the factory inand continued production until World War II, when it was converted to wartime needs. After the war, an attempt was made to convert back to furniture production, but the company was again forced to declare bankruptcy in and closed the factory for good. Around the year the branded type label was replaced by a paper label.

The brass label was used starting around the s until Berkey and Gay went out of business in the s. Biography provided by Schear Brothers. Message the Seller. View Similar Items. Semi Antique Mahogany Server. Want more images or videos? Contact Seller. About the Item. Height: United States. Early 20th Century.