James D. Lowman (1856-1947) and Clarence Hanford (1857-1920) were business and civic leaders in early Seattle, each with ties to Seattle's founders. In 1882, they joined forces to found Lowman & Hanford Stationery and Printing Company. The firm advertised as booksellers, stationers, printers and binders but also sold typewriters, sewing machines, pianos and organs. After losing their original building in the Great Fire of 1889, the partners reopened the business on the first two floors of their new building at 616 First Avenue, becoming key contributers in rebuilding Seattle. They expanded into selling photographic equipment and other supplies to people leaving for the gold fields. A four-story building was completed in 1892, with three more upper floors added around 1902. Immediately next door, the 10-story Lowman Building at 107 Cherry Street was completed in 1906. In the 1930s the firm was located at 1515 Second Avenue. The company existed in one form or another until about the 1960s.
This photograph of the exterior of the original Lowman & Hanford Stationery & Printing Company building on Front Street (now First) between Cherry and James was taken in 1882. Posing on the boardwalk in front of the shop are seven men, identified from left to right as: Unknown, Alex Meyers, Lang, Charles McLean, (unreadable), Rue, and West.
Signs in image: White Sewing Machine, Wilder Ticket 35 cents
ID Number: 1970.5046.3
Date: 1882
Physical Description: 1 photographic print : b&w ; 6.25 x 8.5 in.
Additional Information: Digital copy of this item available thanks to funding from a 2016 Institute for Museum and Library Services grant. Metadata updated as part of a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Library Services and Technology Act, through the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State. View the finding aid for this collection at https://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:80444/xv75258
Credit: MOHAI, Lowman and Hanford Company Records, 1970.5046.3
