Doehler Metal Furniture and Manning-Bowman, 192 Lexington Ave. at 32 St. (2003)

Two very striking signs on the back (alongside 32nd St.) of 192 Lexington Ave.

Manning, Bowman, & Co. of Meriden, Conn. maintained an office and showrooms at this address for 30 years (from 1945 to 1975 (approx.)). They manufactured silverware, barware, chrome kitchenware and other metalware, as well as small electric appliances like toasters, coffee urns, percolators, and waffle irons.

A full-page advertisement for "Up-to-Date Chafing Dishes" in the Home Furnishing Review (June 1895) gives an earlier address of Manning, Bowman, 57 Beekman St. New York, (click for image).

Founded in 1832 in Middletown, Conn., Manning-Bowman was named for Edward Manning and Robert Bowman, who were part of a group from Meriden, Conn. who bought the company in 1872. Manning-Bowman chromeware in an Art Deco style are especially prized by collectors today. The original Manning-Bowman Co. was bought by the Bersted Mfg. Co. of Fostoria, Ohio in 1941 and somewhat later (around 1960) by the McGraw Edison Co.

The rather odd phrase "Manning Means Best Bowman" was a variation on the company slogan "Manning-Bowman Means Best".

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The Doehler Metal Furniture Co., Inc. moved to 192 Lexington Ave. in 1933 and remained there until around 1990. In 1943 Doehler advertised for a "clean-cut chap" to run errands, etc. (click for ad) (NY Times, 19 Sep 1942, p. RE21). Apparently Doehler did good business in defense contracts during the war. The sign appears in early 1940s photographs. So it must date between 1933 and 1940 or so.

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