The John Widdicomb Company was instrumental in the creation of the the Grand Rapids Furniture Makers Guild. The American Furniture Market had been held in Grand Rapids, Michigan since 1878 and The Grand Rapids Furniture Guild and its related companies were leaders in the American furniture manufacturing industry.
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John Stuart joined the company as Director and Sales Manager in 1929. He later became General Manager and Vice President and in 1943 he was named President of John Widdicomb. Shortly after John Stuart, Inc. was formed. It appears it had been a separate company that ran the designer showroom in New York and later in Philadelphia. In 1964 John Stuart, Inc. and John Widdicomb collaborated in the building and opening of a 23 room showroom in the D&D Building in New York.
John Widdicomb
The Widdicomb name, which had been shared by two manufacturers since John left his father in 1897, was brought together again in 1970 when the John Widdicomb Company purchased the name and goodwill of the Widdicomb Furniture Company, the latter having ceased production several years previously. Gerald R. Ford of Grand Rapids became president of the United States of America in 1974. That year the John Widdicomb Company was purchased by Hickory Furniture who later sold it in 1986 to an investment group called “Widdicomb Associates”. This era witnessed the introduction of a new collection of English furniture designed by the internationally renowned designer, Mario Buatta.
The 1990’s brought many changes including the launching of a new company “Bexley Heath, Ltd.” which was absorbed by John Widdicomb in 1998. The John Widdicomb Company manufacturing operations and offices were moved to the newly renovated Grand Rapids furniture campus at 560 Fifth Street, the former Widdicomb plant. It was also in 1998 that the John Widdicomb company signed an exclusive licensing agreement with the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, England. The Victoria & Albert Museum is the largest museum of the decorative arts in the world. In May of 2002, The John Widdicomb Company closed its Grand Rapids doors and a new chapter in the history of this revered company began. L. & J.G. Stickley, Inc. purchased the assets of John Widdicomb Company furniture and moved its production to their state of the art factory in Manlius, New York under the ownership of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred and Aminy Audi. The John Widdicomb line includes nearly one hundred French, Italian, English, and Russian reproductions, as well as a broad range of pieces from the Moderne tradition of the early 20th century, all of which are crafted in limited quantities and in the tradition of highest quality for which the Widdicomb name has been internationally known for over one hundred forty-five years. John Widdicomb furniture is available through fine retail showrooms world wide, and to interior designers through design showrooms in major cities in the United States.
Once more the John Widdicomb Company was sold in 1996 to the Grand Rapids Furniture Company and Jim Devries became chairman.
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1951
1970
2002
John Widdicomb Company introduces its Louis XV Provincial designs. The collection is recognized for creating a wave of popularity for French Provincial furniture that continues today.
Ralph Widdicombe, “Dean of Furniture Designers,” retires after 53 years as the primary designer of John Widdicomb Company furniture.
The Widdicomb Furniture Company is purchased by John Widdicomb Company, uniting the “Widdicomb” name under one organization for the first time in 73 years.
L. & J.G. Stickley purchased the assets of the John Widdicomb Company and moved production of this product to their state of the art manufacturing plant in Manlius, New York.