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Antique Questions Forum / Re: Myrtle Desk Co Love-seat?
« on: December 13, 2012, 10:09:53 pm »
AO Redding purchased AA Baker Furniture in 1895 and changed the name to Alma, and they made kitchen safes and moved into residential furniture. One of Redding partners was Henry Fraser. In 1900 Fraser started Myrtle Furniture. By the mid 1920's both companies had been acquired by Charles Hayworth and his partner. Charles Hayworth foundered Hayworth Roll and Panel, the first plywood mill in the south east. Hayworth saw the conflict of interest coming between his 2 furniture companies and all of his customers of Hayworth Roll and Panel. The resolve that he changed the focus to office furniture and by the late 1920's the names had been changed to Alma Desk and Myrtle Desk. Charles passed away in 1928 and his young wife assumed the leadership role at Alma while she also raised 6 children.
While they operated as independent companies they shared a common board of directors. By the late 1950's the Alma/Myrtle combination was a monster, become the largest producer of furniture in the US. In 1963 the 2 companies purchased the Dallas Furniture building on English Road from the Dallas family. They started Clarendon Industries to provide private labeled seating product for both companies. I've seen some of the old catalogues and the market was amazing, super strong wooden base frames, with multiple arm and back configuration. I have a pair of Myrtle 501 slat back side chairs in my office. There were 4 arm configurations and 4 back configurations plus the same selection under Alma listed as 301 series. Minimum unique parts maximum SKU's. About 1990 Alma was sold off to and investment group in NY, Myrtle and Clarendon were sold to Haworth Inc (pronounced the same but no connection) in 1993. The desk factories have all been closed however the Clarendon operation is still producing seating furniture under the Haworth name. Several of our members started with Myrtle Desk and or Clarendon in the late 60's early 70's
While they operated as independent companies they shared a common board of directors. By the late 1950's the Alma/Myrtle combination was a monster, become the largest producer of furniture in the US. In 1963 the 2 companies purchased the Dallas Furniture building on English Road from the Dallas family. They started Clarendon Industries to provide private labeled seating product for both companies. I've seen some of the old catalogues and the market was amazing, super strong wooden base frames, with multiple arm and back configuration. I have a pair of Myrtle 501 slat back side chairs in my office. There were 4 arm configurations and 4 back configurations plus the same selection under Alma listed as 301 series. Minimum unique parts maximum SKU's. About 1990 Alma was sold off to and investment group in NY, Myrtle and Clarendon were sold to Haworth Inc (pronounced the same but no connection) in 1993. The desk factories have all been closed however the Clarendon operation is still producing seating furniture under the Haworth name. Several of our members started with Myrtle Desk and or Clarendon in the late 60's early 70's