New-York tribune., 1902-05-04

Dutch tiled in It's ample throat; Dutch in its
carved oaken SETTLE Dutch in its crane and Kissing
kettle; Dutch in its heavy polished andirOns. Not
less Dutch standard of housewifery' 50
strongly Dutch that two centuries and half later
Mrs. Leeks and Mrs Aeshine start Iorth IN iI H1grI
Amsterdam stock merely intensified by transporta-
A glance into a model establishment on seventh
ave. reveals epitOme OF the enure hlstoLy
ner stand the original Dutch andirons. crowned
at the ton with the head Of little Du1ch ,a gIri
her expression demure; relics of Continental I'M
three brass Tenders in the style of Louis XIV dainty
with Amors. darts. rocaile and fret work, sucn dS
ana Purchase made New-orieans a part Of the
United States. These very artistic pieces are IN Ia
much in vogue to-day. Wrought iron andirons In
I6r degeIopmen Of the @ New fireplace into
domestic hearth For it is in the heaFtn ar, aroube mo
wife and children in the leisure OF winter even
with her babe and her sewing. that one must seek
the clew to the evolution of the fireplace OF to-day
logs. where taper Shafts of Brazilian onyx, trans
lucent as green sea water lqP is sne bS1isr ~
wrought brass complete the last touch or comfort
in the bachelor den.
SPECIALIZING THEIR MANUFACTURE.
When Frank H. Graf-222 seventh-ave.-began
his career. seventeen years ago, no one had ever
dreamed of specializing the manufacture of
freplaces and their furniture into an indepen-
dent business. The young craftsman had made
his experience as brass worker IN various
lock factories he understood the manipulation OF
metals thoroughly, and. more than that, ne had
artistic feeling Not content 10 make andirons ana
tenders, he allied himself with original artists;
sought their advice. and, little by little, obtained
the best and purest models OF his wares from
Colonial and European sources. He had a broad
idea of what most men would have thought a very
humble business and IT is largely through his ex-
ertiOns that the hearth, with its furniture and
decorations has been developed into a dignthed In
duStry. with its corps Of designers and model
lers its mouders and hnishers.
Beginning his business in SeCond-aVe. as a manu-
facturer for tho wholesale trade, Mr. Graf mas ex-
tended his business Utah and California. in the
Canada The first ipcuTsiOn of Uncle Sans fire
place and andirOns into Canada is curious ex-
ample Of the spread of our and crafts. 1t was
suggested to Mr.. Graf that a magnificent house
then building would require very artistic hearth
furniture but that the going to Eng
land, and while there would obtain designs from
Holland and English craftsmen. Mr.. Graf re-
sponded that Ope ever lost in making a GOOD
design. and prepared and sent set OF drawings In
harmony with the interior decorations OF the house
in question. The event proved that the foreign
designs submitted did not compare with the Amer
lean in beauty and originality. and Mr.. Graf,
work from New York. Notwithstanding the duty.
II may be added that French workmanship and
metal do not compare with American in this class
OF goods Notwithstanding the grace of their styles
and the taste of their finishing. The construction
OF an American fireplace involves four particulars,
each of which is susceptible OF very artistic treat
ment. The throat OF the chimney. which, when
wood, gas or electricity IS TO be used. is usually
lined with repousse metal. copper finished. n