In 1989, Hagley received a large collection from the Philadelphia Savings Fund Society (PSFS) bank in Philadelphia. What is not commonly known is that in addition to archival and photographic collections, the museum also acquired many objects from PSFS including those related specifically to the building itself.
Philadelphian architects George Howe and William Lescaze were hired by PSFS to design the modern skyscraper which became a National Historic Landmark in 1976. Their design resulted in the first International Style skyscraper in the United States. This magnificent building, with a height of 491’ with 33 stories, opened on August 1, 1932, on the corner of 12th and Market. Today it is the Loews Philadelphia Hotel.
PSFS Writing Table (2003.10.3)
Since this was an innovative modern design, Howe & Lescaze realized that existing wooden office furniture simply would not fit into the look they wanted to create so designs also included furnishings such as beautiful writing and conference tables made from tubular stainless steel, Bakelite and wood. Bakelite is an early synthetic moldable plastic developed around 1907 by Leo Hendrik Baekeland that proved to be an excellent material for table tops. The collection has three tables including a large size used in conference rooms.
PSFS chairs show quite a range of diversity due to where they were designed to be used. This armchair (pictured, left) made from chrome plated tubular steel was designed for use in the Safety Deposit area, bank floor and the executive row offices. The collection contains additional types of armchairs, side chairs and a lounge chair.
The rest of the Howe & Lescaze furnishings collection consists of the architectural building model, a variety of desks, ashtrays, calendar desk sets, desk file holders, desk lamps, trashcans, centralized vacuum system parts, boardroom table and chair models, dining room chair models and more. On the whole, there are more than 400 items in the PSFS collection. Those directly related to Howe & Lescaze number a little more than one fourth of the collection.
Overall, the PSFS furnishing collection is an exceptional illustration of 1930’s International Style business furniture designed for a new modern world but so elegant, sleek and timeless in design that the items are just as beautiful today as they were in 1932 when they were brand new. The collection is open to researchers and available for loan to qualified museums for exhibitions.
Debra Hughes is the Curator of Collections and Exhibits at Hagley.