The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-12-03
THE GEO. C. WHITNEY CO.,
Manufacturers of Valentines, Holiday
Goods, Etc, Factory, ga Union ST.

OF late years there have been great
improvements in certain lines Of manu-
facture, and in no industry has greater
progress been made than in relation to
the production of the beautiful crea-
( tons in the line of valentines and hol-
iday goods. Some of these goods now
on the market combine beauty of de-
sign, elegance of material, splendid
workmanship and artistic effects to a
remarkable degree. While others are of
little actual merit, showing no marked
originality, but simply being reproduc-
tiOns Of the work of the creators in for
mer years. However. there is no need
of the trade purchasing defective or
inferior goods when such a concern as
The Geo G. Whitney Company, which
has for one of its notices, Let him
who merits bear the palm" are offer
ing their productions at prices fully as
low as competitors making inferior
grade goods. This immense business
was started about 1858, Mr.. George G.
Whitney purchasing the entire control
in 1868. The concern originally man
ufactured only lace valentines. and was
largely a consignment trade, taking
back goods not sold. the output find
ing sale only in New England. Now
York and Pennsylvania. Mr.. Whitney
point to keep their field clear by buying
up his competitors The various con-
Germs absorbed We're the New
England Valentine and s a. How
land, both of Worcester. and Berlin &
Jones and A. j. Fisher of New York
city. The business purchased from A.
j. Fisher was conducted by Mr.. Whit
ney for about year at Mr.. Fishers old
stand, "a Nesey street under name Of
Fisher Valentine Company occupying
four lofts. At this time the local bus
mess was located at 1913 Main street.
and in 1883 the factory was moved to
larger quarters at 1874 Front street,
when both lines of business were
brought under the same roof. In 1894
the present company was formed
and incorporated. having then a cap
ital of $35 600. Increasing business
and demand compelled them TO IN
crease this in 1897 to $4,000, leaving at
the present time but one concern manu-
featuring lace goods worthy of the
name of competitor, although there are
few small concerns throughout the
country manufacturing noVelti IS. The
company import some styles of lace
paper ornaments and cards, Christmas
goods of satin, silk. etc, manufacturing
however a large part of their output.
employing as high as 200 hands durmg
the season. They turn out valentines
ranging in price from one-half cent
to the most artistic creations listed at
from $l.O0 to $1,000, many of them be-
ing indeed real works of art. The plant
at So Union street occupies 5-h1or
and basement building, 100X15 feet in
dimensions, fully equipped with i'm
proved appliances, having their own
printing department, making all their
own dies for paper, lace, etc. The de
signers of the company possess much
artistic ability, and keep the proddc-
tions not only up to the times. but far
in advance of those of similar con-
Germs. In the one line Of valentines
alone. the company produce I2illions
annually. their trade extending all over
the United States among the best class
Of dealers They have offices at 2l9
Gable Building. New York 81 East
Washington street. Chicago ana 5 Bos-
worth street, Boston, these local OIL
ces looking after the companY's inter-
ests in the territory they represent. I he
officers of the company are George G.
Whitney, who founded the business
and largely brought it to it's present
efficiency. president; William II. Cook,
treasurer and manager, and Edgar
/ Whidden, Jr.. secretary. all progressive
and enterprising business men, the
| splendid success attained by the COM
| pany having been largely due to their
own individual efforts their energy,
| perseverance and above and beyond all
their splendid reputation for honesty
and integrity of business principles