Repository: Heinz History Center
Title: M. A. Baskind Company Records
Creator: M.A. Baskind Company
Collection Number: MSS#331
Extent: 1.0 linear foot (2 boxes)
Date: 1895-1996
Abstract: The M.A. Baskind Company was established about 1950 after M.A. Baskind left the partnership with his brother at Peerless Wallpaper. The company initially sold paint and wallpaper but continued to change their inventory to meet consumer needs and the changing market. Over the course of six decades, ownership of the company passed through three generations of the family. The collection includes advertisements, correspondence, employee relations, financial records, historical materials, ledgers, marketing information, and property and seminar records.
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.
Publisher: Heinz History Center
Address: 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org

History

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 Company Records include advertisements, correspondence, employee relations, financial, historical, ledgers, marketing, property and seminar records. The records demonstrate the day-to-day affairs of running a wallpaper business. The records related to employee relations are valuable to show how the company dealt with the union. The correspondence and financial section are incomplete in that they do not cover the years comprehensively.

Arrangement

The M. A. Baskind Company Records are housed in two archival boxes and 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 Records, 1895-1996, MSS#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, MSS#331, Rauh Jewish Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center

General

This collection has been previously cited as: M. A. Baskind Company Records, 1895-1996, MSS#331, Rauh Jewish Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Julie Niklaus on June 1, 2001.

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.

Related Materials

An incomplete oral history provided by Sanford Baskind regarding his memories of Peerless Wallpaper and Fifth Avenue in Pittsburgh can be found in the Rauh Jewish Archives.

Separated Materials

The M A. Baskind Company Photographs have been arranged and described with the catalog designation of MSP#331.

Subjects

Corporate Names

Barnes Company
Lachina Drapery Company
M.A. Baskind Company
Peerless Wallpaper Company

Personal Names

Baskind, Morris
Baskind, Sanford
Langue, Edwin
Langue, Jeffrey
Miller, Larry

Geographic Names

East Liberty, Pittsburgh (Pa.)

Other Subjects

Jews--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh
Trade Unions--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh
Businesses--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh
Merchants--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh
Stores--Retail--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh
Wallpaper--Interior Decorating--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh

Guide to the M.A. Baskind Company Records, 1895-1996