Hello.
Your bar was probably manufactured by the Brunswick-Balke-Collender
Company of Chicago some time between 1895 and World War I (i.e.,
1918). Brunswick-Balke-Collender had manufacturing facilities in both
Chicago and Dubuque, Iowa.
See this timeline from Brunswick Billiards:
"1884 - Brunswick joins with another rival to become 'The
Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company,' the largest billiard equipment
operation in the world, larger than all its competitors combined.
Expansion of the product line now includes elaborate and ornate front
and back bars made of rich woods, flawless mirrors, and stained glass.
Originally offered as special order items, demand from taverns grew so
great that a new factory in Dubuque, Iowa manufactured and shipped the
bars around the world. The bars began to gather design awards at
international exhibitions. Many of them are still in use today,
becoming focal points in popular bars and restaurants around the
country." From:
http://www.brunswick-billiards.com/history/timeline.html
Brunswick-Balke-Collender began as a manufacturer of billiard tables,
but started making bar fixtures in the 1880s.
Brunswick-Balke-Collender had a catalog of bar fixtures and shipped
them all over the country. "Nearly 95% of all the bar fixtures
manufactured between 1885 and 1900 were produced by this company,"
according to a history that appears on the web page of another company
(Wallace & Hinz Bars).
http://whbars.com/history.htm
The Amalgamated Wood Workers International Union was founded in 1895,
through the merger of two other unions. Source: University of Michigan
http://www.lib.umich.edu/spec-coll/labadie/labadiemanuscripts.html
Thus, the union label on your bar would seem to indicate that it was
made between 1895 and World War I (e.g., 1918).
Take good care of your bar. It may be quite valuable. "An 1891
Brunswick catalog illustrates back bars that sold for less than $500
back then and now bring up to $50,000 on the antique market." From
Deadwood Magazine:
http://www.deadwood.com/magazine/archives/Mirrors.htm
A 1900 Brunswick-Balke-Collender catalog of bar fixtures is available
for $25
from Billiardartwork.com:
http://www.billiardartwork.com/viewitem.cfm?ID=319
Brunswick stopped making bars because World War I and prohibition. The
company showed remarkable flexibility, though, and went into the
phonograph business. Later, they became a big name in bowling. Now,
they also sell marine engines and exercise equipment. See their web
site:
http://www.brunswick.com/
search stratey: brunswick balke collender
I hope this helps. |
