James Elder

JAMES ELDER, Wholesale Warehouseman, 22, St. Enoch Square, Glasgow.

    The historian of the commercial progress of this great centre of industrial activity should have little or no difficulty in forming a correct estimate of the most prominent factors in the mercantile supremacy of Glasgow, which are, incontrovertibly, the strength, wealth, and number of her leading wholesale houses. Of these it would be impossible to ignore the claims to recognition of establishments of the representative type of that which we select as the subject of this notice, and which has for more than a quarter of a century past occupied a position of well-defined eminence in the commercial world.

    Established by Mr. James Elder in 1863 .the business was originally located at 17, St. Enoch Square, from whence it was removed to more commodious quarters at 19, West Howard Street, and was continued at this address until the pressure of the constantly expanding trade necessitated the provision of still more extended accommodation, and the site now occupied at 22, St. Enoch Square, was selected as fulfilling these requirements. The premises are of spacious proportions, comprising two extensive flats, of which the first is utilised as counting-house and warehouse for heavy goods, haberdashery, &c., and the upper floor devoted to the other departments of the business.

    The stock is of a varied and comprehensive character, embracing every description of general drapers’ and tailors’ requisites, trimmings, &c., which the limits of our space preclude us enumerating in detail, and of which the leading departments will probably afford sufficient indication to our readers. These include black and coloured Italians, mohair, and Victoria serges ; Silesias ; twills, satin, and twill pocketings ; jeans and drills ; linens and buckrams ; patent French ducks, canvasses, haircloths ; black, coloured, and striped satins, serges, and satinettes ; wool linings ; dress stuffs, worsted coatings, worsted serges, summer overcoatings, velvets, machine silks, linen, basting and cotton threads ; mohair, silk, military, and skirt braids ; bindings ; and buttons in ivory, mottled, mohair, buffalo-horn, stag-horn, and leather ; livery and anchor, fancy vest and pearl, metal and jet, and dress and mantle.

    In addition to these items the warehouse also contains a large stock of small wares, in great variety, in demand for the above-mentioned trades. These goods have all been specially selected for this trade from the leading manufacturers, and are supplied in large quantities to the chief buyers in the provincial centres of the United Kingdom, who are periodically waited upon by the representatives of the house engaged for this purpose. The business also employs the services of a numerous and efficient staff of clerks and warehousemen in the various departments, the whole being subject to the energetic control of the principal, whose extended association with the trade and thoroughly practical experience supply the best guarantee for perfection in every detail of the management.

    Mr. Elder is widely known in the City as taking a deep interest in the religious and moral welfare of the community, and, as a much-respected Elder of the Pollokshields Free Church, has actively participated in all movements having for their tendency the advancement of the various charitable and educational agencies connected with that institution.

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