Guide to the M.A. Baskind Company Photographs c. 1940-1990
Repository
Heinz History Center
Title
M.A. Baskind Company Photographs
Creator
M.A. Baskind Company
Collection Number
MSP#331
Extent
0.5 linear feet(1 box)
Date
c. 1940-1990
Abstract
The M.A. Baskind Company was established about 1950 after the founder, M.A. Baskind, left a partnership with his brother at Peerless Wallpaper. The company changed locations and was restructured to meet the changing market and consumer needs. Over the course of six decades, ownership of the company passed through three generations of the family from the founder M.A. Baskind to his son Sanford and son-in-law Edwin Langue, and then to his son Jeffrey Langue and son-in-law Larry Miller. The photographs in the collection depict employees, employee events, interiors and exteriors of the store buildings, the company warehouse, showroom displays, and trade shows.
Language
The material in this collection is in English.
Author
The guide to this collection was written by Julie Niklaus. Editing and revisions were completed by Theresa E. Rea with generous support from the PNC Charitable Trusts- J. Samuel and Rose Y. Cox Foundation and the Giant Eagle Foundation on April 23, 2010.
In 1940, M.A. (Moe) Baskind left the partnership in Peerless Wallpaper Company that he and his brother had started ten years before. He purchased the Barnes Company and Paint store in the East Liberty section of Pittsburgh. After another location change from East Liberty to downtown Pittsburgh, M.A. Baskind purchased a building at 5750 Baum Boulevard in 1950. The company primarily sold paint and wallpaper to contractors, property owners, and institutions.
Gradual changes in the wallpaper industry required the company to adapt to meet consumer needs. Carpeting and fabric were added to the showroom but were later discontinued. In 1980, paint was dropped from their sales line and vertical and horizontal blinds were added. In the 1980s and 1990s, consumers could obtain larger discounts through various other distribution outlets. This in turn had an effect on the business, and M.A. Baskind Company changed its focus from retail to wholesale distribution, selling wallpaper to contractors, hospitals, hotels, architects, and designer trades.
In 2000, the building was sold to the Lachina Drapery Company which sold fabrics and blinds. M.A. Baskind Company leased a space for the wallpaper showroom and office. The same year Sanford (Sandy) Baskind, son of the founder, and Edwin Langue, son-in-law of the founder, sold the business to their respective son-in-law and son, Larry Miller and Jeffrey Langue. The two new owners became the third generation of family owners. In 2001, the company purchased the Peerless Wallpaper retail stores in the South Hills section of Pittsburgh, continuing the family business for over 70 years.
Scope and Content Notes
The M.A. Baskind Photographs depict employees, employee events, interiors and exteriors of buildings, the company warehouse before it was razed by the city of Pittsburgh, showroom displays, and trade shows. Many of the individuals in the photographs have been identified.
Arrangement
The M.A. Baskind Company photographs are housed in one archival box and are arranged alphabetically.
Conditions Governing Access
No Restrictions.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Sanford Baskind on September 21, 2000.
Preferred Citation
M. A. Baskind Company Photographs, c. 1940-1990, MSP#331, Rauh Jewish Archives, Library and Archives Division, Senator John Heinz History Center
This collection has been previously cited as: M. A. Baskind Company Records, 1895-1996, MSP#331, Rauh Jewish Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center
General
This collection has been previously cited as: M. A. Baskind Company Records, 1895-1996, MSP#331, Rauh Jewish Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Julie Niklaus on June 1, 2001. Further processing and revisions were completed by Theresa E. Rea on April 23, 2010.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Separated Materials
The M A. Baskind Company Records have been arranged and described with the catalog designation of MSS#331.