New York (dpa) – Distinguished clients included American presidents and
comedian Charlie Chaplin while writer John Steinbeck often dropped by for a
chat at a shop in New York founded in 1866 by German immigrant Adolph
Simon.
Harrison Ford, too, ordered his walking sticks and umbrellas at Uncle Sam
Umbrellas & Canes. Entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. was also known to have sheltered
from many a New York shower under an umbrella bought at the famous shop, which
stood right opposite the even more famous Carnegie Hall.
The shop and its adjoining workshop on 57th Street, on Manhattan’s West Side,
had more tales to tell than a year has rainy days. Sandra Schwartz, the
founder’s great granddaughter and the last owner of the business was fond of
relating stories to her customers.
One told of how Sarah Delano Roosevelt had engaged in seemingly never-ending
bargaining over the cost of a fine walking stick, which later accompanied her
son Franklin for many years.
At least the 32nd president allowed himself to be photographed with his prized
example of Uncle Sam’s “quality German craftsmanship”.
The 35th was more inclined to keep his purchase a secret – John F. Kennedy had
the workshop make to measure some extremely fine, but strong wooden strips. He
supposedly wore these, unnoticed, beneath his clothing to lend support to his
weak spine.
For many years, Simon and his descendants did a roaring trade in New York, the
city of strollers. “Umbrellas and walking sticks were once looked upon as
status symbols,” explains Gilbert Center, a 76- year-old umbrella maker, “Just
like these mobile telephones and mini- laptops today,” he added.
What is the most compact of mobiles when compared to a top quality umbrella
with a gold-plated tip, carved handle and an integrated cigarette case and
lighter for 500 dollars? Or a hand-turned walking stick of African ivory with a
silver handle in the shape of a horse’s head?
Over the course of the firm’s 134 year history, however, fewer and fewer
customers have come to ask themselves this question. Without its lucrative
sideline in theatre umbrellas for Broadway productions and special, one-off
designs for magicians, Uncle Sam would long since have ceased trading as the
only remaining umbrella specialist in New York.
Nevertheless, at the beginning of April, in the best rainy weather, Uncle Sam’s
long business tradition came to an end. The shop was forced to accede to the
building plans of a new real estate purchaser. New York is going to be one
little gem poorer and one modern skyscraper richer. “At least we won’t have to
throw anything away,” remarked Center, “The shop hasn’t been this busy for a
long time.”
In the closing down sale, even dented umbrella stands fetched respectable
prices. “They’ve all suddenly been transformed into cult objects,” explained a
delighted souvenir hunter. “The only real comfort,” wrote the New York
Times, “would be if it were never again to rain in Manhattan.”
