The latest find is a show case that made its way from New
York City to Ann Arbor, Michigan and now resides at the Thistle and Bess.
The business name (C.F. Biele) and address (112 West
Broadway) on the tag indicate that the show case was likely made around 1880. The 1880 Trow’s Directory lists the business
address of Charles F. Biele as 112 West Broadway. By 1885, the business had moved down the
street to 42 West Broadway.
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| C. F. Biele Show Case at Thistle and Bess in Ann Arbor |
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| Tag on C. F. Biele Show Case in Ann Arbor |
The design of the show case is the same as one in a catalogue from that period (now at the Hagley Museum and Library) and from a later catalogue from 1909.
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| C. F. Biele Show Case from ca. 1885 catalogue that is now at the Hagley Museum and Library |
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| C. F. Biele Show Case from a 1909 Catalogue |
Thank you, Diana, for sharing.
There is an online story about the store here.
