Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-16
ESTABLISHED IN 1856
POSITION OF B. a.
sTINEMETZ & SON COMPANY.
Has Catered to the Best Society Of
the Capital City for Nearly
Half a Century.

Tho business houses established prior to
1860 and still in existence in the capital
city may be counted almost on the fingers
of the two hands. The few firms that have
lived through the vicissitudes Of the great
war and the panic of 1873 and the lesser
smashes since that time, and that still sur
vive are almost without exception widely
known and among the leaders in their
lines, rich, prosperous, respected. patron
lied by the fashionable people, by the old
set as we'll as the new generation.
The conservative Old house of B. H. Slime
metz & Son Company is one of the pre-
eminent firms Of this class. Established
by a shrewd and conservative business man
Of the old school, and perpetuated by his
son, a man Of the modern school, Of keen
competition, and at the same time larger
rewards, it has for nearly half a century
been a great fur and hat house in the front
rank of fashion and prosperity. Today its
position is as prominent and as important
as it has been at any time in Its history.
These cold days of early winter the
truth of this statement needs no demon
stration to any one that cares to visit the
fur rooms of the establishment during the
busy hours. Carriages are at the doors
on both Pennsylvania avenue and 18th
street, and inside are nearly always at
least two or three of the swell set" look
ing at the finest furs to be purchased any
where. Beautiful sealskin cloaks that sell
for $500 or $780, Persian lambs wool and
sable coats that are sold for nearly double
the price of the sealsllins, ermine, almost
priceless, Siberian squirrel muffs of the fiat
shape that is the fad this season, all are
found in great profusion and beauty. The
rich gowns of the society women adorned
with the magnificent furs make a picture
like an art salon that very few places in
Washington can equal.
MI q
building next east Of it's present location
There had been no change in the old num-
bering of the avenue houses at that time
and 'stinemetz" was then 2s4 Pennsyl-
yania avenue. Benjamin H. Stinemetz, who
died so recently, was the founder of the
firm. He secured the best trade of the
capital city from the first The family of
every President since buchanan has pat
ronized the house. and with them the cab
met circle and thousands of members of
Congress and their wives and daughters.
During the war Mr. stinemetz built his
present building. Ten years ago he added
the annex devoted exclusively to furs,
fronting on 18th street and running through
to the main store. Samuel w. Stinemetz
when he was boy, and has been associated
in the active management ever since.
The death of Benjamin H. Stinemetz on
October last was mourned sincerely by
friends of fifty years standing, well
by hosts of the younger generation. His
death necessitated a change in the firm,
and stock company was formed. nnder
pany S. W. StinefnetZ president ta<
company and B. H. Stinemetz, IT,. secre-
tary.
The hat business OF the firm Is almost as
interesting as the fur business. The firm
was the first to obtain an agency of the
Knox Hat, and 1t has been the exclusive
agent In Washington ever since The hat
is known all over the world ana is worn by
many Of the biggest and brainiest men In
official as well as private life. Its position
is almost unique.
8. w. Stinemetz, the president of the
firm, says that the tastes of the public in
furs are grow.2g more expensive and more
refined every decade and that the present
generation is markedly In advance of that
Of twenty years ago in the matter OF both
qualities and artistic fit and finish