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Jacob Emil Klotz was Canadian Commissioner of Immigration from 1872 to 1880. In 1885, he became a partner in William Stahlschmidt & Co., which later became the Canadian Office and School Furniture Company out of Preston, Ontario (now a part of Cambridge). Under Klotz's presidency, the firm became one of the largest furniture manufacturers in the country. In 1928, the company was purchased by the Preston Furniture Company (which had already acquired the Baird Furniture Company and Sawmill in Plattsville, and which later bought the Schmidt Furniture Co. of Preston.) In 1961 the Preston factory was bought by the Daisy Manufacturing Company of Rogers, Arkansas, best known for its air guns. (Daisy started in 1886 and is still in business!) It shared the factory with James Heddon's Sons Ltd. of Dowagiac, Michigan, which made bamboo fishing rods and fishing lures (but which has now vanished from the marketplace). In its later years, Preston Manufacturing Ltd. made toy boxes, spring horses, play balls, sports balls, garden planters, furniture and marine products. It was acquired in 1990 by the U.S. firm, Hedstrom Corporation. Production at the Preston location ended in 1991, and the plant fell victim to a fire in 1996. The empty site is now owned by the City of Cambridge.
Hi, I just bought one of these desks from a fellow in our neighbourhood.
ReplyDeleteIt needs a bit of refinishing but otherwise great. My wife is a teacher and our grand children love playing school so it was an easy decision. You're right about how we used to build things. This desk is solid as a rock and absolutely gorgeous in its design. I can only imagine the little minds that sat there. Who knows, maybe they grew up and tried to keep factories going...
Enjoyed your post. Thanks
I have an O & S Furniture Company desk and chair. The desk is oak and very heavy and needs lots of TLC. The chair also (painted red) needs work. I am in Nova Scotia but anyone who would like to have it at no cost let me know. Tried to give it to a local museum but no go. Just found this 2012 blog. I can supply pictures. Ray t
ReplyDeleteHi Ray
ReplyDeleteDo you still have the desk? I'm doing research on the original owner/builder of the house I own in Preston, ON (Cambridge) and he was a cabinetmaker and the Canadian Office and School Furniture Co.
I have a desk made from Preston plant if you are interested
DeleteI have an original solid oak with a genuine leather top , S type roll top desk in splendid condition, with the original key for the forged brass lock.The round key hold as : Preston. Co.S at 12 o'clock , Furn. Co. at six o'clock and Ontario at the bottom .The original brass plaque on the very front edge,with the following description : Patented Dec 16 / 84 Corbin Cabinet.The drawers mesures the full dept of the unit.
ReplyDeleteI have a COSF 3 seat bench with writing desks attached. It is in great shape. Does anyone have an idea of when it was made. I would attach pictures but I have it disassembled for storage.
ReplyDeletejay.holcombe@icloud.com
i have a roll top desk made by preston limited it old and in great shape it just needs the back legs put back on it, it is beautiful i am wondering what is wold be worth
ReplyDeleteI have a large secretary with a Stahl, Schmidt & Co. Preston, Ontario Canada brass plaque on the front
ReplyDeletePlease call or email if you'd like more information. This was my great grandfather's company. tskbxservices@rogers.com
ReplyDelete519-803-1357
Best, Toby Stahlschmidt-Kah (Guelph, ON)
I have an old desk which is 44" x 26" x 31 1/2". It has a pull-out drawer with a cover that has a round metal which you can lift and on it is written THE C.O.&S.F. CO. LTD., PRESTON, ONT. The top of the desk needs refinishing. I would like to sell it.
ReplyDeleteDorothy Morin said:
ReplyDeleteI have an old desk which is 44" x 26" x 31 1/2". It has a pull-out drawer with a cover that has a round metal which you can lift and on it is written THE C.O.&S.F. CO. LTD., PRESTON, ONT. The top of the desk needs refinishing. I would like to sell it.
I have an absolutely beautiful oak roll top desk from The Canadian Office & School Furniture Co., Registered 1889. It was originally custom made for a minister in Princeton, Ontario. In the 1930s, my grandfather purchased the desk. It is now been handed down to me. I wish I could post some photos of it, as it is absolutely stunning!
ReplyDeleteYou can send pictures to gerald@vanwyngaarden.ca and I'll add them to the post.
ReplyDeleteI have 4 parts that I have found for one of these desk, mine say number 1 on it..I wish to figure out how to put these pieces together..plus any idea how much these are worth?
ReplyDeleteMy email to the above comment is daisy_29_duke@hotmail.com thank you
ReplyDeleteWhat does the number mean I have a desk with the #5 on the side
ReplyDeleteI have a vintage Canadian Office & School Company solid oak roll top desk. Was in my family from pre 1928 - although I am not certain of the exact year. I am still researching.
ReplyDeleteJ’ai un bureau et une table de Preston Desks, Preston Furniture c’est l’ensemble . Il date depuis plus de 100 ans…
ReplyDeleteCombien ça peut valoir pour un Antiquaire? Je les vends.
Have what I understand, from earlier search, to be a desk produced by W. Stahlschmidt & Co. of Preston (now Cambridge), Ontario. Some old literature, since misplaced, identified it as "Watlon Patent Desk, W. Stahlschmidt & Co., Preston, Ont. 1876 - 1880, Serial 146/1426.6.12 152 X 84 cm."
ReplyDeleteWatlon search was not helpful. Did find illustrations of Wooton Furniture, Indianapolis, IN producing almost identical desk called Model No. 8 Rotary Desk.
Can send photo to help illustrate.
Could Stahlschmidt have copied it or perhaps produced under licence?
Can anyone shed any more light on this?
Thanks