Larkin Company (Paperback)

Shane E. Stephenson

ISBN 10: 1467129445 / ISBN 13: 9781467129442

Published by Arcadia Publishing, 2018

Paperback. Born at 13 Clinton Street in Buffalo in 1845, John D. Larkin went on to become one of the most successful businessmen Buffalo has ever had. Developing from his experience in the soap industry with his brother-in-law Justus Weller in Buffalo and Chicago, the Larkin Company, established in 1875, became one of the dominant mail-order businesses in America. In 1885, Larkin and his wife's brother, Elbert Hubbard, promoted "The Larkin Idea," which brought the business a national customer base through "Factory to Family" direct sales. At the height of the company, 90,000 "Larkin Secretaries" established clubs to bring Larkin soap and other products to women in their neighborhoods. This system of secretaries and clubs created an external promotional engine unlike any other previously known. The company closed in 1967, leaving its mammoth footprint in Buffalo's Hydraulic neighborhood, now aptly called Larkinville. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9781467129442

Synopsis:

The story of John Larkin, Buffalo businessman, and his soap company that was one largest mail -order companies in America and left the legacy of Larkinville.

Born at 13 Clinton Street in Buffalo in 1845, John D. Larkin went on to become one of the most successful businessmen Buffalo has ever had. Developing from his experience in the soap industry with his brother-in-law Justus Weller in Buffalo and Chicago, the Larkin Company, established in 1875, became one of the dominant mail-order businesses in America. In 1885, Larkin and his wife's brother, Elbert Hubbard, promoted The Larkin Idea, which brought the business a national customer base through Factory to Family direct sales. At the height of the company, 90,000 Larkin Secretaries established clubs to bring Larkin soap and other products to women in their neighborhoods. This system of secretaries and clubs created an external promotional engine unlike any other previously known. The company closed in 1967, leaving its mammoth footprint in Buffalo's Hydraulic neighborhood, now aptly called Larkinville.

About the Author: Shane E. Stephenson is a part-time archive and library technician at the Buffalo History Museum and the owner of Archives in the Buff. This is his second book with Arcadia Publishing. The images in this book come from a variety of sources such as the Buffalo History Museum and private collections.

Bibliographic Details

Title: Larkin Company (Paperback)
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
Publication Date: 2018
Binding: Paperback
Condition: new