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

MERGING at the Third Floor from the elevator on the Madison Avenue side of the store, one finds oneself directly in the Fur Department. Spacious, well arranged and equipped, the rich tones of the handsome furs displayed on forms and in show cases presenting an artistic contrast to the soft Quaker gray of the carpet and woodwork, this may not improperly be termed the most attractive-as it has also been quoted as the most extensive-retail fur department in America. It is an undisputed fact that in no other department store is the volume of business so large in furs of the finest and costliest qualities. B. Altman & Co.'s resident representatives abroad are constantly in touch with the greatest fur centers of the world, and any unusually rich "find" is at once communicated to them; hence it is not at all an extraordinary incident in the history of the house when a rare set of matched sables which an empress might covet the value of which rises far into the thousands -comes across the ocean to enrich for awhile the Altman display and, a little later, to grace the piquant loveliness of some American princess.

The higher-cost furs do not, however, constitute the entire stock of this department. Women of moderate resources may find here fur garments and smaller fur, pieces, of excellent appearance and wearing qualities, which may be purchased at prices easily within their means and which will afford entire satisfaction. The colossal success of the great Fur Sale which takes place annually early in the fur season-and which attracts eager purchasers from nearly every State in the Union-is sufficient evidence that the fact is very widely recognized that here may be obtained genuine fur bargains.

Practically all of the departments for Women's Ready-to-wear Apparel are situated on the Third Floor. Here are the sections for Women's Gowns, Tailor-made Suits, Coats and Wraps, House Gowns, Cotton and Linen Dresses and Trimmed Millinery. Women's, Misses and Children's Riding Habits have a section all their own, which includes both ready-to-wear and made-to-order garments; and here, too, may be found all the accessories of the equestrienne's costume.

The Mourning Department, a semi-enclosed section entirely apart from, though closely contiguous to, the departments for gowns and suits, is generously supplied with every essential of the correct mourning outfit, including not only gowns, wraps and millinery, but also such minor accessories as neckwear, gloves, hosiery, shoes, etc. It may pertinently be added that the Department has excellent facilities for furnishing complete mourning outfits at short notice.

The Special Order Department for Dressmaking and Tailoring is also located on the Third Floor, in exclusive salons wherein models, sketches, materials, etc., may be examined and discussed at leisure and in the luxurious environment which every woman of taste and breeding appreciates.

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