El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-12-31

{" HE greatest furniture exposition
ever known in the world will be
held early in the New Year at
Grand Rapids. Michigan In response
to the invitation from the Grand
Rapids Furniture Manufacturing asso-
citation. manufacturers from all over
the country will send their goods for
display in the great buildings provided
for the exposition. A mighty army OF
furniture buyers, not only from Amer
lea, but various other parts OF the
world. will be in attendance to make
their selection for the next six months
trade.
Formerly Grand Rapids was known
as the home of the sectional bookcase
Now it is developing into not only the
largest furniture manufacturing city
of the world, but the largest center OF
any one line Of manufacturing trade
With the possible exception of the
Kimberly Diamond Mining plant there
is no other trade center on earth repre-
senting such an enormous financial ex-
penditure. 1t is expected that the sales
of the prospective exposition will out
rank those of any trade exposition ever
held in the world. There are nearly
5000 furniture manufacturers in Grand
Rapids. They produce everything in
furniture from the cheapest kitchen
holstered salon furnishings. But not
one of these local manufacturers will
have goods on exhibition The associa-
ton desires to bring the products of
other manufacturers to Grand Rapids
in order to make It the furniture trade
center of the earth. Buyers of the
Grand Rapids product must visit the
factories to select their goods.
Exposition in New York.
The New York Furniture exchange
will also hold an exposition next
month which will be second to Grand
Rapids in Importance. In this connec-
ton must be mentioned the enormous
building now being constructed for
exposition purposes under the direction
of the New York Manufacturers ex-
change This building will be devoted
to a permanent exhibit of the manufac-
lures of the world with special atten-
ton TO furniture There already has
been s16.000.O0O worth of furniture
pledged for exhibition after the build
ing is completed, which will probably
be about April l. This will be the
largest exhibition of furniture ever
gathered under one roof The January
exposition in New York will be held in
the Furniture Exchange room 1t will
be attended by buyers from every part
of the country, most of whom deem il
absolutely essential to attend both the
New York and Grand Rapids gathering
History in Furniture.
The development Of furniture is an
interesting adjunct to the study OF hui
manity. The improvement of the home
marks the progress from savagery to
civilization. In America the products
of European civilization served as
models for the earlier manufacturers
of fur fn no Il o
nothing typical or distinctive until
the Mission product sprang into pop
ular favor. While in a sense the Mis-
sion products are a adaptation of the
early Spanish monastical designs their
adoption for general home use was
purely an American conception, which
has been, and still continue, which
copied throughout the world The Mis-
sion furniture seems TO have come to
stay despite some adverse criticism.
for while several new designs have
been offered the sales for Mission fur
niture have almost doubled during the
past two years.
There are new ideas in regard to
the finishing of the different woods.
Natural effects are now in favor. Fun
ed oak instead of the black of the early
Mission furniture is being generally
adopted. This gives a rich brown tinge
less somber than the other. Caucasian
walnut is the most expensive wood
now on the market 1t is not unusual
to see bedroom sets offered for sale as
high as $4,000. Much of this Circasian
walnut is veneer. because this process
brings out the grain of the wood. For
the manufacturer. however, the Circas-
ian walnut is little more expensive
than buried oak or solid mahogany and
its durability is not yet fully estab-
liShed.
Furniture on Credit.
To the furniture trade, more than to
any other. must be ascribed the great
impetus given to the credit system
which has become so dominant a fea-
ture of the commercial life of today
1t was furniture that was first sold on
monthly instalment plans and each
year develops new schemes for increas-
ing business by furnishing homes on
the credit basis.
The advertising manager is always
ready with an attractive proposition
that will appeal to the homeseeker. The
get married and let US furnish your
NJ ~ Il