Description:

Gilded Age
New York, NY, ca. 1874-1928
Opening of Brooklyn Bridge, Archive of Father and Son Walter M. Aikmans in Tinware Business
Archive
[NEW YORK.] Walter Monteith Aikman, Sr. and II, Archive of printed and photographic materials, 1874-1928.

This archive consists of several photographic and printed items from the lives and careers of Walter M. Aikman Sr. and his son Walter M. Akiman II. Both were executives at the Central Stamping Company

Contents and Excerpts
- Stereoview of a group of six men, women, and children posing at the Flume Gorge near Lincoln, New Hampshire. New Hampton, NH: H. S. Fifield, 1874, 6.875" x 3.5". Toning and some staining to print; creasing and soiling to mount.

- Menu for the Banquet for the Stamped Ware Manufacturers' Association of the United States, April 14, 1881, Grand Pacific Hotel, Chicago, IL. 2 pp., 2.75" x 4.25" with silk fringe and gilt edges.

- Menu for the Banquet for the Stamped Ware Manufacturers' Association of the United States, December 15, 1881, Delmonico, New York, NY: Dempsey & Carroll, 1881. 4 pp. Cardstock program mounted in two pieces to satin ribbon inside 7.25" x 10" covers. Cardstock features hand painting, applied feathers, and printed text.

- Trustees of the New York and Brooklyn Bridge, Invitation and Program or Opening Ceremonies of the New York and Brooklyn Bridge, May 24, 1883, Brooklyn, NY. Invitation: 1 p., 9" x 6.375"; Program: 4 pp., 5.625" x 8.125". Invitation includes engraving of the bridge.

- Boudoir card, featuring a group consisting of Walter M. Aikman Sr. and nine other men, women, and children relaxing in a wooded area, 8.5" x 5.25". Verso bears faded ink inscription reading, "W. M. Aikman / Julia Aikman & family." Toning to print; soiling and spotting to mount.

- Card and Menu for Luncheon given by Central Stamping Company in Honor of President Walter M. Aikman Sr., May 16, 1917, New York. 2 pp., 5" x 7.5". With envelope.
"From a small tinware factory in Newark; turning out its entire product by hand, to the great establishment of today with its modern equipment, Mr. Aikman has been identified with every step in the progress of an industry which has now become nationwide. On this rare anniversary we deem it fitting, on behalf of the Officers and employees of the Company, to offer to our President assurances of our appreciation, affection, and esteem. We congratulate him on reaching this long milestone in a career so successful and unique; and we bespeak for him yet further years of usefulness in the field where he has served so long and faithfully."

- Photograph of Walter M. Aikman Sr., ca. 1920. 7" x 9". With paper frame.

- The Sheet Metal Ware Association, "In Memoriam / Walter Monteith Aikman / April 6, 1828–July 6, 1923," 1923. 12 pp., 7" x 9.75".
"During the seventy-six years of his business career it can be said truly that nothing that tended to elevate the purposes or better the practices in his chosen field of activity was foreign to his sympathy or failed to receive his support. To him this industry was the means through which, under Divine Providence, he served his fellowmen in his day and generation."

- U.S. Department of State, Passport for Walter M. Aikman II, August 4, 1926, Washington, DC. "The bearer is accompanied by his wife Alice B / Minor children Audria B and Alice Elizabeth." 3.75" x 6"

- Republique Francaise, "Carte d'Identite" for Walter Aikman II, June 1928. 12 pp., 3" x 4.75".

Walter M. Aikman Sr. (1828-1923) was born in Brooklyn, New York. In 1847, he began working in a tinware business with N. E. James, a pioneer in the trade in the United States. Aikman later became a partner in N. E. James & Co. After 1886, when that company merged with Enoch Ketcham & Co. to form the Central Stamping Company, Aikman served as president (1886-1922) and chairman of the board of the company, remaining associated with the firm and industry for more than seventy years. In 1852, he married Julia Aikman (1831-1919), and they had at least seven children, including Walter M. Aikman Jr. (1865-1865) and Walter M. Aikman II (1870-1952), although three died as infants or small children.

Walter M. Aikman II (1870-1952) was born in Brooklyn, New York. In 1900, he was a clerk in the Seminary of St. Agnes. In 1903, he married Alice Daisie Burton, and they had at least three daughters, though the first died as an infant. He served as the vice president of the Central Stamping Company in Newark, New Jersey. He retired by 1930, and after his first wife died in 1934, he married Mildred Nicholson in 1939. He later moved to Florida, where he died.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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