Home / gay topics / Berkey and gay hutch
The company took on various partners over time, including George W. Gay, who bought an interest in the company in 1866 to form Berkey Brothers & Gay. In 1873, William Berkey withdrew from the company, and Julius Berkey and George W. Gay incorporated to form the Berkey & Gay Furniture Company.
Condition
Good Antique Condition; light wear consistent with age
Dimensions
38" x 16.5" x 60.5" (Width x Depth x Height)
Oriel Cabinet constructed a factory at this site in the 1880s, but the original factory was destroyed by fire in 1890. 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. Made of walnut featuring matchbook walnut burl panels.
In 1919 the company further expanded the factory 240 feet north along Monroe Avenue.
In 1920, the company merged with the Wallace Furniture Company and the Grand Rapids Upholstery Company to form Consolidated Furniture Companies, but continued to use the trademark Berkey & Gay because of its name recognition. He
Sobota for Century Furniture
Both Oriel Cabinet and Berkey & Gay continued independently until 1911, when the two companies merged.
The company took on various partners over time, including George W. Gay, who bought an interest in the company in 1866 to form Berkey Bros and Gay. In 1873, William Berkey withdrew from the company, and Julius Berkey and George W. Gay incorporated to form the Berkey & Gay Furniture Company. Interior
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. Stately table with a single
He apprenticed for seven
Sabota for Century
Measures 42" in width, 22" in depth
circa 1905-1929. The Oriel factory became Berkey & Gay's Plant No. 1 following the merger, and an addition was immediately made to the plant in 1912. Measures: 44"W x 15.25"D x 63.75"H
The hutch is supported by turned legs along the front with bun feet and straight legs along the rear with a tapered foot. One of these was the Oriel Cabinet Company, which he established in 1880. Even this was not enough, as Simmons declared bankruptcy in 1931, and the Grand Rapids factories closed their doors. Sales increased in the 1920s and the company aggressively expanded, However, when the Great Depression hit, the company was unable to continue financing their new sites, and was forced to sell to the Chicago-based Simmons Company.
In 1892, the company constructed a new factory, which continues to occupy the site. 1920.