This vertical painted sign on Vandam Street between Hudson and Varick in SoHo, just about washed out by the sun now, is the last vestige of Masback Hardware, which existed in some form from 1877 to 1996. It was founded by Jonathan Masbach and originally had a showroom at 3rd Avenue and East 64th Street uptown. After a spelling change around World War I and several moves around town, the Masback store ended up at 324-344 Hudson Street in 1936 and remained there until 1979. Specializing in home furnishings, Masback also sold toys. The company went out of business in 1996.
The company had beautifully bound and illustrated catalogs. Some are available for auction.
The Indispensable Walter Grutchfield has the whole story.
6/9/14
4 comments
I wonder if there is any relation to Maasbach’s Restaurant on Fresh Pond Road in Ridgewood?
I worked at Steinway Hardware in Centereach, Long Island in the 1960s and remember our Masback “Want” book where we accumulated a list of items that we needed to order for when our Masback salesman came in. Fond memories!!
We bought from Masback from 1942 till we closed in Brighton Beach. As a kid I was always reminded to enter the items in the want book on the counter.
Herman’s Sentry Hardware, Brooklyn
I was a buyer for SB Penick, parent company was CPC International, and worked with Masback during the mid ’70’s. I still remember Mr. Tullipane who was my contact.
He was a wonderful man to work with, kind and considerate. I was youngish and he was generous with helping me purchase what I needed. He had a great aura which I
still remember to this day (2020). Masback and Mr. Tullipane are both timeless memories especially Mr. Tullipane.