Science, Industry and Business Library > B. Altman & Co.

VISITOR to the Altman store, paraphrasing a certain famous saying, once appositely described it as "a store of magnificent distances." If this could be truly said of the edifice as originally constructed, the statement must of a certainty carry infinitely greater weight to-day, in consideration of the extended area secured by the completion of the Madison Avenue addition. Surveying the interior from the Fifth Avenue entrance, on the Main Floor, the visitor's gaze--following the course of the broad central aisle--meets a perfect perspective, which terminates only when it reaches the vestibule on Madison Avenue. The supporting columns, modeled on severely classic lines, present from every point of view a series of graceful colonnades, the architectural beauty of which cannot fail to appeal to the artistic sense. Glancing upward toward the great rotunda, which rises majestically over the center of the original building, a glimpse is afforded of the upper floors, lending breadth and vivacity to the picture. Add to these features of interest the spacious aisles, balanced on either side by displays of merchandise, alluring in form and color; the lofty ceilings, the unrestricted daylight which pours in from all four sides, the perfect ventilation, the efficient service--and the result is a store which meets every aesthetic as well as every practical requirement.

To the right of the Main Floor, as one enters from Fifth Avenue, is the enlarged department for Men's Furnishings, which now extends more than half the entire length of the store on the Thirty-fourth Street side. Completely separated from the sections devoted to general merchandise, the floor arrangement of this department has been planned with careful forethought for the convenience and privacy of the store's male patrons. Not only is it easily accessible from the Fifth Avenue entrance, but the Thirty-fourth Street entrance leads directly into it.

The increased floor space now given to it has made it possible for this department to add very materially to its sphere of activity. Here, under the new arrangement, will be found complete and comprehensive assortments of Men's Wear, including Hats and Shoes. There is also a Custom Shirt section, which makes a specialty of fine Shirts for general and dress wear.

It is not possible, in a work of necessarily limited scope, to afford a detailed description of every department in a store as large as is this of B. Altman & Co.; but among those especially worthy of attention on the Main Floor is the Silk Department, famous for its wealth of textile treasures--the products of the silkweaver's art; the department for Real Laces, where are shown some of the rarest and most beautiful specimens of antique lace to be found in America, besides many exquisite modern pieces; the Dress Goods Department; Silverware Department; and the section reserved for Leather Goods. Very considerably enlarged is the Camera Department, which is liberally stocked with Kodaks of every type, as well as a large assortment of photographic supplies; and which now has a section devoted to developing, printing, copying and enlarging. Nor should mention be omitted of the Engraving section of the Stationery Department, which is amply equipped for executing to order fine engraving of every description.

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