Bowery in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Longest-Running Catalogue In America

Hammacher Schlemmer

— 209 Bowery —

Longest-Running Catalogue In America Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 19, 2016

1. Longest-Running Catalogue In America Marker

Inscription. You are standing at the corporate roots of Hammacher Schlemmer, America’s longest running catalogue for the “man who has everything.” Opening in 1848 at 221 Bowery, it specialized in hard-to-find hardware. Located in the 5-story building at 209 Bowery from 1857 to 1904, it opened the first auto parts department and offered the first home delivery service by “horseless carriage.” One of 271 original subscribers to the NYC Bell Telephone System, its showroom was among the first supplied with electricity and telephones.

For over 167 years, Hammacher Schlemmer has been known as a merchandiser of innovative gadgetry like the first steam irons, pop-up toasters, food processors, answering machines and cordless phones. Its illustrious customers have included everyone from a Russian Czar, Queen Elizabeth II, Howard Hughes, JFK and The Beatles.

Currently residing on 57th Street, its showroom proudly displays a giant photo of Hammacher Schlemmer’s origins at 209 Bowery. Since 1937, 209 Bowery has been home to Balter Sales Co., part of Bowery’s long-established restaurant supply district.

- Davis Mulkins,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Historian/Educator

Erected 2016 by Bowery Alliance of Neighbors.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the The Beatles series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.

Location. 40° 43.282′ N, 73° 59.605′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in the Bowery. It is on Bowery near Rivington Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 209 Bowery, New York NY 10002, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New York City.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: “Big Tim” Sullivan’s Clubhouse (here, next to this marker); Yiddish Theatre’s 1st American Home

Longest-Running Catalogue In America Marker site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 19, 2016

2. Longest-Running Catalogue In America Marker site

(within shouting distance of this marker); Birthplace Of Vaudeville? (within shouting distance of this marker); Italian Renaissance Palazzo On Bowery (within shouting distance of this marker); 200 Years & Counting (within shouting distance of this marker); From Making Money To Making Art (within shouting distance of this marker); A Bowery Flop (within shouting distance of this marker); Christians, Cops, Elks & Anarchism (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

More about this marker. One of more than sixty entries in the “Windows on the Bowery” series.

Also see . . .
1. Hammacher Schlemmer. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on April 11, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. The Bowery Historic District - National Park Service. National Register of Historic Places documentation - download (Submitted on April 9, 2024, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 19, 2016

3. Inset

209 Bowery, back then

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 19, 2016

4. Inset

Hammacher Schlemmer headquarters at 209 Bowery

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 19, 2016

5. Inset

German-born Alfred Hammacher and William Schlemmer

Credits. This page was last revised on June 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 507 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 11, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker.
• • Wide view photo of the marker and its surroundings showing its location.
• • • Can you help?