Ludwig Baumann & Co. flagship store on 8th Avenue New York, NY (1897).

Ludwig Baumann and Company (Ludwig Baumann & Co.) was a prominent American home furniture chain in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. At its peak, it was the largest furniture provider in the United States.

History

Ludwig Baumann & Co. outlet store in Jamaica, NY (1951).

Bohemian immigrant brothers Ludwig Baumann and Albert Baumann opened a small New York City furniture store named Baumann Brothers in 1876.[1][2] However, the partnership between Ludwig and Albert dissolved in 1888.[3] Ludwig then opened his own furniture store under the name Ludwig Baumann & Company which quickly grew into one of the largest furniture providers in New York City specializing in quality and affordable home furniture.[2]

In 1897, Ludwig Baumann & Co. opened its flagship store on West 35th Street & 8th Avenue which was the largest New York retail furniture store at that time.[4] Construction of the 8th Avenue store was completed by architect Albert Wagner at a cost of around $175,000, the equivalent of about $6,200,000 in 2023.[5] After Ludwig's death in 1904, the company passed to his son Sidney J. Baumann.[1] During this time, Ludwig Baumann & Co. opened outlets across the New York City area earning the reputation of "America's Greatest Furniture House."[6][7] Following the death of Sidney in 1936, the company passed to his son Walter S. Baumann.[2][8] Ludwig Baumann & Co. continued to expand by opening additional outlets across the country and selling new goods such as men's and women's apparel.[9][10][11] The company also continued to boast record sales with over $15,000,000 in 1947, the equivalent of over $200,400,000 in 2023.[12] Ludwig Baumann & Co. was ultimately purchased by Spear & Co. in 1952 creating the largest furniture provider in the United States at that date.[13] Spear & Co. closed Ludwig Baumann's flagship 8th Avenue store in 1954 before selling off other Ludwig Baumann stores shortly thereafter.[14][15]

Notable Innovations

Ludwig Baumann & Co. pioneered the instalment payment method for retail purchases. The company's "liberal credit system" extended a line of credit to consumers who previously could not afford retail furniture and then had them pay off the credit in small weekly payments.[4][16][17] The New York Tribune estimated that as of 1897 there were at least 100,000 Ludwig Baumann & Co. credit customers.[4] The instalment payment method was credited for the early success of the company.[4][16] Ludwig Baumann & Co. was also a first to utilize mail order which revolutionized retail sales.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 "FURNITURE HOUSE IS 75.; Ludwig Baumann & Co. Marks Its Anniversary This Week". The New York Times. March 16, 1933. p. 8.
  2. 1 2 3 "S. J. BAUMAbllt DIES; FURNITURE DEALER; President of Ludwig; Baumann Company Headed One of the Oldest Stores of Its Kind. FIRM ESTABLISHED IN '76 He Entered Employ of Father at Age of 15 -- Noted for Aid to Jewish Charities". The New York Times. February 6, 1936. p. 19.
  3. ↑ "Corporationship Notices - Baumann Bros". The Sun. February 26, 1888. p. 16.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "A Big Furniture House". The New York Tribune. November 21, 1897. p. 3.
  5. ↑ Miller, Tom (December 13, 2014). "Daytonian in Manhattan: The Ludwig Baumann Bldg -- Nos. 260-266 West 36th St". Daytonian in Manhattan.
  6. ↑ "Announcing our New Home - America's Greatest Furniture House". The New York Herald. December 10, 1922. p. 22.
  7. ↑ "BUSINESS LEASES.; Ludwig Baumann & Co. Rent First of 20 Proposed Radio Stores". The New York Times. December 13, 1928. p. 53.
  8. ↑ "WALTER S. BAUMANN". The New York Times. July 30, 1975. p. 36.
  9. ↑ "New Ludwig Baumann Store". The New York Times. January 3, 1949. p. 33.
  10. ↑ "Ludwig Baumann Adds Lines". The New York Times. April 14, 1936. p. 39.
  11. ↑ "MEN'S STORE SHOWN.; Ludwig Baumann to Open Section to Public on Saturday". The New York Times. September 13, 1934. p. 32.
  12. ↑ "Ludwig Baumann Earned $1,005,007 in '47 On Sales of $15,395,324, Both New Records". The New York Times. March 30, 1948. p. 35.
  13. ↑ "Two Concerns Here Merge to Form Biggest Home Furnishings Chain; Spear & Co. Acquires Majority Interest in Ludwig Baumann -- 14 Retail Outlets Involved". The New York Times. December 2, 1952. p. 45.
  14. ↑ "STORE PLANS TO MOVE; Ludwig-Baumann-Spear's Will Close Eighth Ave. Building". The New York Times. October 12, 1954. p. 40.
  15. ↑ Tompkins, John S. (July 26, 1957). "FURNITURE CHAIN TO SELL REALTY; Baumann-Spear to Dispose of Stores, Warehouse in Pittsburgh Area Store Sales Involved". The New York Times. p. 23.
  16. 1 2 "Success of an Enterprising Firm". The New York Tribune. February 2, 1896. p. 15.
  17. ↑ "62nd Anniversary Furniture Sale". The Sun and the New York Herald. March 7, 1920. p. 19.
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