In the late 1800's (about 1875-1900) there was a china store in NYC
named Wilhelm & Graef.  They sold fine china, clocks, and crockery
made in Europe under their name (current auction houses sell these as
collectibles today).  However, I am interested in finding information
specifically on the store and its owners (one of which is related to
me).  I have tried researching under the name itself on the internet
but get only auction houses.  Can you suggest how I may find specific
historical information about the store?

You're in luck.

The New York Times recently placed their archives on-line back to the
mid-1800's.  A search on Wilhelm & Graef turned up five articles,
including this New Year's Day article from 1886:

MESSRS. WILHELM & GRAEF.:CHINA, GLASSWARE, &C. 
New York Times Jan 1, 1886.  pg. 7, 1 pgs 

 
Twelve years ago last Autumn two gentlemen well known among the
wholesale china and glassware dealers of this city came together and
formed a business partnership. They hired the modest but commodious
store at No, 1,152 Broadway, under what is now the Victoria Hotel, and
put up their sign...
 
==========

The five articles listed can be previewed at no cost, but to access
the full article, there is a fee charged by the NY TImes.  The
articles are:

1. MORTGAGES BY WILHELM & GRAEF
New York Times (1857-Current file); Feb 13, 1895; pg. 11, 1
 
2.       NEWS, LITERATURE, BUSINESS
New York Times (1857-Current file); Nov 27, 1893; pg. 2, 1
 
3.       YOUNG DOLARO AGAIN ARRESTED.
New York Times (1857-Current file); Sep 29, 1893; pg. 5, 1 

4.       MESSRS. WILHELM & GRAEF.
New York Times (1857-Current file); Jan 1, 1886; pg. 7, 1 

5.       HOLIDAY GOODS.
New York Times (1857-Current file); Dec 26, 1875; pg. 9, 1 

==========

The first article liste, by the way, talks about the financial
troubles of the company.

To access the NY Times archives, head to this site:

http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/nytimes/advancedsearch.html

and in the search box enter:

Wilhelm w/1 Graef

and this will pull up the list of five articles.

Click on any article to see a free preview.  If you want to purchase
the full article (which shows exactly the way it originally appeared
in the newspaper), then click on the text that reads:

 "Buy article image"

and follow the instructions provided.  The articles are approximately
$3 each; less if you buy a certain quantity.

Let me know if you have any questions about this.

pafalafa-ga



search strategy:  searched at the NY Times archive site