The Brooklyn Historical Society has a photo of the week blog post and this week’s post is a photo of the Abraham & Strauss department store, circa 1895. My great-grandmother Dolly worked at the A&S as a young woman, circa 1920. She earned about $5 per week.
![[Abraham & Straus storefront.], circa 1895, v1972.1.611; Early Brooklyn and Long Island photograph collection, ARC.201; Brooklyn Historical Society.](https://i0.wp.com/www.brooklynhistory.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/v19721611.jpg?resize=620%2C453)
[Abraham & Straus storefront.], circa 1895, v1972.1.611; Early Brooklyn and Long Island photograph collection, ARC.201; Brooklyn Historical Society.
The thing I really like about the photo posted this week by the BHS is the display appears to be a complicated display of handkerchiefs and linens. The store, early on, specialized in “silks and dress goods, cloths, laces, embroideries, cloaks, shawls, linens, gloves, china and glass, sterling silver, bronzes, ribbons, house furnishings, upholsteries, art embroideries, books, furniture, carpets, and stationary.” The display is beautiful, with its geometric design. Additionally, my aunt Lulu, how is named after my great-grandmother, has her own business that was started reselling antique handkerchiefs. There is a symmetry across generations that mimics the beautiful design in the window. It’s really quite stunning.
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![[Abraham & Straus storefront.], circa 1895, v1972.1.611; Early Brooklyn and Long Island photograph collection, ARC.201; Brooklyn Historical Society.](https://i0.wp.com/www.brooklynhistory.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/v19721611.jpg)
