This street clock was made by Joseph Mayer & Brothers Company, a watchmaking and wholesale jewelry business begun in Seattle in 1897. Founded by German immigrants Markus (1878-1950), Albert (1872-1929), Emil (1881-), Herman, & Joseph (1868-1937) Mayer, the company existed in various form until 1991. About 100 Mayer street clocks were produced between 1909-1930, often placed in front of jewelers or watchmakers. As of 2014, 15 of the 46 confirmed Mayer clocks in Seattle survive.
This clock was made for Friedlander & Son., Inc., Jewelers, at 1300 Second Avenue. The view in this image is looking east across Second Avenue. The building at the left of the frame is the Arcade Building, built in 1903; it is no longer standing.
Austin Seward (1885-1974) worked as a local photographer in the early 1920s for Pierson's studio, a commercial photography firm that took pictures for Mayer Brothers.
Businesses in image: Bernard Erickson Jewelers; California Cotton Mills Co.; Eggert Shoe Co.; The Rhodes Co Signs in image: Eggert Shoe Co., Agency Hanan Shoes Photographer's number: 196
Caption information source: http://www.shiawasseehistory.com/mayer.html
Physical Description: 1 photographic print mounted on linen : b&w ; 7.5 x 9.5 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/xv46755
