W. & J. Sloane
Dates
- Existence: 1843-1984
Biography
W. & J. Sloane was a furnishings store founded in New York City in 1843 at 245 Broadway by William Sloane. The store became highly successful opening locations in other large cities in the United States. In 1876, Sloane bought a lot of eastern rugs that had been on display at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. On display at Sloane's New York location they sold extremely well, and the store became part of a great boom in interest in eastern rugs in America. William Sloane passed away in 1879, and was succeeded by his son William Sloane II. In the late 1800s, the business expanded from selling carpets into upholstery and decorating. In 1933, the company began manufacturing "registered reproductions," which were copies of antique pieces of furniture sold at more affordable prices. In World War Two, the company converted their manufacturing facilities towards fulfilling government needs, even venturing into the production of Army Air Force CG4A gliders. In 1984, due to lagging sales, president and chief executive officer, Daniel P. Barbo, announced the company would be filing for bankruptcy.
"W. & J. Sloane was a furniture and rug store in New York City that catered to the wealthy and operated from 1843 to 1985, reaching its peak in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries."
Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:
Decorator Fabrics by Everfast, 1950, 1950
This folder contains a handwritten portfolio from 1950 with fabric swatches, photographs, and magazine and newspaper clippings for the Drapery Division of Everfast Fabrics, with a focus on Decorator Chintz. There are photographs of displays at B. Altman, W. & J. Sloane, Lord & Taylor, and Burdine's.
Drapery, 1948, 1948
This folder contains a scrapbook from 1948 with photographs and magazine clippings for drapery fabrics from Everfast. There are photographs of window displays at B. Altman and W. & J. Sloane. There is also an Everfast test card with fabric swatches demonstrating their colorfastness.
Max Walter sketch collection
This collection holds original painted illustrations of home furnishing designs (armchairs and side chairs, desks, tables, sofas, ottomans and beds) and interior textiles such as bedspreads and curtains; all are signed by Max Walter, but only some are dated. Many renderings are stamped with the imprint "W. & J. Sloane" with an address of 575 Park Ave in New York City, and many also have handwritten pre-print notations.