Sol Mutterperl (1878-1968) was born in Romania and immigrated to the US at the age of 16 in 1895. He began in the leather goods business in 1901. From 1903 to 1913 the business was a partnership, Wolf & Mutterperl, his partner being Meyer Joseph Wolf (1878-1975). Meyer J. Wolf was an immigrant from Russia around 1890, and he registered for the World War I draft in 1918 when employed at Wolf & Co., 48 W. 21st St., as a "pocket book maker." There was also a Wolf Bros., leather goods, incorporated in 1916, consisting of the three brothers, Charles, Harry and Meyer J. Wolf. Wolf Bros. was located at 37 E. 12th St. in 1917 and stayed in business until some time in the 1920s. Meyer J. Wolf died 24 January 1975 in Miami, Florida, age 96.

Wolf & Mutterperl had factories at 406 Broadway (1903-1911), then later 473 Broadway (1911-1913). In 1913 the business became Mutterperl & Hillman. Mutterperl's new partner was Edward Leopold Hillman (1874-1920), born in Riga (Latvia) and immigrated 1892. This partnership lasted only a few years (until around 1915).

After 1915 Mutterperl was in business by himself at 473 Broadway until 1922. In 1922 the business moved to the location above, 18 W. 18th St.

In 1933 Mutterperl leather goods and hand bags moved to 330 Fifth Ave. (near 33rd St.), where they maintained offices and showrooms. Manufacture shifted to a factory in New Bedford, Mass. The offices were located on Fifth Ave. until the mid-1990s. For photos of Mutterperl products and ads see the Bag Lady at http://bagladyemporium.com.

Mutterperl's obituary in the New York Times (15 Oct. 1968, pg. 47), read, "Sol Mutterperl, founder and former head of a women's handbag company bearing his name, died Sunday at his home at 350 Central Park West on his 90th birthday. Mr. Mutterperl was born in Rumania, came to the United States at the age of 16 and founded his concern, which has offices at 330 Fifth Avenue, in 1901. He was a former president of the National Handbag Association. In World War I he was industry chairman for the promotion of Liberty Bond sales. He had been a leader in the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies and the Joint Distribution Committee. He was a director of the Menorah Home and Hospital for the Aged in Brooklyn and the Hebrew Free Loan Society. Scholarships in his name have been endowed at the Jewish Theological Seminary and Brandeis University. Surviving are 2 sons, Raphael and Martin; 2 daughters, Mrs. William Ginsberg and Mrs. Ludy S. Bickhardt; 6 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren."

The obituary says he died "Sunday ... on his 90th birthday" (i.e., Sunday Oct. 13). This date differs by about two weeks from the date given on his World War I Draft Registration in 1918, where date of birth was recorded as 28 Oct. 1878.

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