Mannie Dannenberg, etc., 130-132 W. 29th St. (2002)

Mannie Dannenberg Furriers is the most prominent sign here, but if you go up the stack there are other readable signs, several of which are painted over older ones, for instance:

Just above Mannie Dannenberg is Cohen Marks Co., which is painted over a sign for Julius B. Brownstein Exclusive Furs (click for detail.) Only the beginnings of the words (JU, BRO and EX) can still be read. The Brownstein sign is clearly readable in early 1940s images of this wall. So Cohen Marks is of recent vintage.

Julius Bernard Brownstein, born Hungary 15 Oct. 1876, immigrated 1900, naturalized 1912, had a furrier's shop at 18 W. 27th St. when he registered for the World War I draft in 1918. He had his own business from around 1911 and was in a partnership with Victor Greenman ca. 1916 to 1924. Victor Greenman appears in the U S Census of 1920 living in the Bronx, age 45, born Hungary, immigrated 1890, naturalized 1906, occupation: "Commercial Traveler, Furs." Julius B. Brownstein Exclusive Furs was located at 130 W. 29th from 1925 to 1931. They relocated to 205 W. 26th St. as the Brownstein Fur Co. in 1932, then went out of business that same year.

Above Cohen Marks is a sign (faded and fragmentary) for Bolotin & Goldin Mfg Furriers (click for detail.) Something was painted over this sign also, but the overpainting is now unreadable. Bolotin and Goldin were Samuel Bolotin (1884/85-?) and Aaron Goldin. Bolotin appears in the US Census of 1920 and 1930 with the information that he was born in Russia and immigrated in 1905. Goldin is extremely elusive. I have not been able to locate him in any census reports or other such documents... The business was located here on 29th St. from ca. 1925 to 1928. Bolotin was in business for himself in 1918, but otherwise the two remained partners from 1919 to 1931. Boltin resurfaced as S. Bolotin & Son on 7th Ave. from 1936 to 1938.

Early photos show that the two signs immediately above Bolotin & Goldin were:

Gordon / & / Gelberg / Mfg Fur (roughly parallel with 2nd row of windows down) (click for detail). This was painted over so that only the Go, Ge and Mf were clear in 2005. The partners were Abraham Gordon (1895-?) and Harry Gelberg (1882-1950). Abraham Gordon was born in Vilna, Lithuania and immigrated to the U. S. around 1904/06. He appears in the U. S. Census of 1920, living in Brooklyn (12th Ave.) with his wife, Lillian, and newborn daughter, Beverly. He is also in the U. S. Census of 1930, still living in Brooklyn (now Ocean Parkway). Beverly is now 10 years old, and there is a son, Harold, age 8. Gordon's mother, Rose Gordon, age 58, is also living with the family. Harry Gelberg was born in Vienna and immigrated to the U. S. around 1900/01. He registered for the World War I draft in 1918 while in a partnership with Frank Kaufman (Kaufman & Gelberg) at 99 W. 27th St. The Gordon & Gelberg partnership lasted from 1924 to 1930, and was located here at 130 W. 29th St. from 1926 to 1930. Subsequently, Harry Gelberg went into business with his sons, Louis Gelberg (1908-1991) and Emanuel Gelberg (1910-1987), as H. Gelberg & Sons. This business was located at 307 7th Ave. from 1932 to 1952.

and

J. Anis / Mfg Fur (parallel with 3rd row of windows down) (click for detail). Overpainted by what looks like Nat Feldman Bros., only the J and Mfg Fur were clear in 2005. J. Anis was Joseph Harry Anis (1881-1936). When he applied for a passport in 1923, Joseph Anis stated that he was born in Krakow, Poland, 16 Sept. 1881, immigrated in 1898, and became a naturalized citizen in 1912. He was living at the time at the Hotel Pennsylvania and asked that the passport be sent to himself at 130 West 29th St., New York City. Anis seems never to have married. He is listed in the U. S. Census of 1930 living at the Level Club, 253 W. 73rd St. Manhattan. Between the years 1922 to 1936 Anis traveled to Europe almost annually and can be found on the passenger lists of at least 18 ships returning to the port of New York. Two notices appeared in the New York Times (1937 and 1938) in articles reporting on wills for probate. One reported his estate at $1000 left to Leo Anis, a brother. The other reported $2500 to Sam Anis (other heirs including two brothers and two sisters). When Anis registered for the World War I draft in 1918, he was in business for himself at 39 W. 32nd St. Anis was in business at 39 W. 32nd St. from 1913 to 1922. He had several partners during this period, including Sigmund Nichthauser, Samuel Berger and Morris Schoenholtz. J. Anis was located at 130 W. 29th St. from 1923 to 1925.

Construction of new residential housing along this stretch of 29th St. has severely obstructed the view of these signs as of May 2007. Click for May 2007 view.

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