Object Record
Images
Additional Images [5]
Metadata
Object ID # |
1985.068.066 |
Object Name |
Coathanger |
Title |
Clothes Hanger Advertising the Horton's Department Store |
Lexicon category |
2: Building Furnishings |
Year Range from |
1905 |
Year Range to |
1912 |
Artist |
Victor H. Canham & Co. |
Made |
Victor H. Canham & Co. |
Place of Origin |
Guelph, Ontario |
Description |
A garment (clothes) hanger that advertises HORTON'S DEPARTMENT STORE. This business name is printed in black on the wooden pieces. The store was located in Owen Sound, Ontario between 1905-1912. The hanger is composed of two rectangular wooden pieces of the same dimensions, that are placed parallel to each other, about 1 cm apart. They are held together by a twisted steel wire. Attached to the upper edge of each wood piece is steel wire, that has been bent to form a hooked shape. The twisted steel wire, which holds the hanger together widthwise, can be slip up and down the length of the hook, allowing the wood pieces to spread further apart. This gives space to fit the clothing item between the wood pieces, and then tighten them up again by adjusting the curved wire which slides down the hanger hook. The twisted steel wire, which holds the hanger together widthwise, can be slip up and down the length of the hook, allowing the wood pieces to spread further apart. This gives space to fit the clothing item between the wood pieces, and then tighten them up again by adjusting the curved wire which slides down the hanger hook. A yellow label covers the exterior of both wooden pieces. Printed in black is "HORTON'S DEPARTMENT STORE" "Gents Furnishings / Boots and shoes / Dry Goods / Groceries / Furniture / Victor H. Canham & Co. Guelph Rd 1904" (design registered in 1904). |
Makers mark |
Printed |
Provenance |
Manufactured in Guelph, Ontario, as an advertising give-away item by Victor H. Canham & Co., for the Horton store at Owen Sound, Grey County. Likely had belonged to N. P. Horton first, as it dates between 1905-1912. Subsequently it belonged to Whitford A. Harris and his wife, Alma Isabelle Harris (neé Horton), of Owen Sound. Alma was the youngest daughter of N. P. and Sarah Horton. N. P. Horton was an inventor and general store owner at Owen Sound. He had a store called "Horton's Fair" that sold general merchandise, such as groceries, furniture, shoes, home furnishings, stationary, baby carriages and millinery (hats). The store operated from about 1905 to 1912 and was located on the east side of 2nd Ave. East (known as Poulett St. prior to 1909), near the 10th St. (Division St.) corner. |
Collection |
Household Equipment, 20th-c Collection |
Material |
Wood/Steel/Wire/Felt/Ink |
Dimensions |
W-15.2 L-14.7 cm |
Found |
Owen Sound, Grey County |
People |
Horton, N. P. Harris, Whitford A. |
Subjects |
Advertising Department stores Stores & shops |
Search Terms |
Owen Sound Businesses Poulett St. (Owen Sound) |
Function |
A clothing hanger suitable for hanging a skirt or trousers garment with. It also advertises an Owen Sound, Ontario store. It was manufactured in Guelph, Ontario. |

