H. S. Crocker desk

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I have an old desk that reads on the bottom of one of the drawers: H. S. Crocker Co., San Francisco and Sacramento, desks, chairs and filing cabinets. Does anyone have any history on this company? I'd love to have an idea of how old my desk is.

-- Nancy Day (nday@fix.net), October 17, 2001

Answers

H.S. Crocker used to be THE stationer/office supplier to the legal profession in San Francisco. Their main store was near the corner of Kearny and Pine, directly across the street from the Bank of America Plaza. They were bought out by, I think, Patrick & Co. in the late 70s or very early 80s.

I still have some of their old stationery boxes (reams used to come packed 1 to a box) that I use to store junk in. I’ll look at the boxes when I get home tonight and see if I can get a more accurate company name.

On the other hand, H.S. Crocker, the printers, still exists:

http://www.hscrocker.com/index.html

-- Rosa Debonneheure (rosadebon@yahoo.com), October 17, 2001.


Whoops. The box says "Attorneys Printing Supply Co." (120 Second Street, SF) -- but the store we bought it at was Crocker's, across the street from the BofA building. I remember running over there when we ran out of things. Crocker's was bought by another company, but I don't see the name listed as one of the companies Patrick bought up. The store did have furniture upstairs in the mezzanine level.

PG&E (as well as Bechtel) were great sources of home office furnishings as they didn't keep good track of what went in and out of their buildings. When I first moved to San Francisco, I was startled to have people offer me things (Do you need a rug? Do you need bookcases? How about drapes?) for my apartment from their offices at both companies. If you can't find an inventory stamp, check the bottom, back and sides of the drawers (pulled out of the desk). Little plates or stickers were sometimes put there.

The old city directories at the SF Public Library would be a good place to look for your company.

-- Rosa Debonneheure (rosadebon@yahoo.com), October 20, 2001.


I just bought an 18" long, wood, architects scale that has "H.S. Crocker Co., S.F. 1283" stamped on it. I'm also trying to date this piece, as I know that wood scales are not made anymore and I've never seen 1n 18" long scale.

-- Laura J. Culberson (laura@argsf.com), January 17, 2002.

If you would like some background information, please E-mail me and I will try to give you some direction and assistance.

-- Ron Giordano (rgiordano@hscrocker.com), January 11, 2003.

In regards to H.S. Crocker. Company was established around late 1800's. There was a store in San Rafael(3rd & E St.) The store is there and is now Patrick & CO owned by James Patrick whos main office is in San Francisco on 2nd & Mission. Before Patrick & CO took over the San Rafael store it was known as Moores Stantioners a division of H.S. Crocker. In regards to your desk. My guess is your desk maybe 50-80 years +. Hope this helps.

-- blackbear (seitra@excite.com), October 24, 2003.


Dose any one know what happened to the company that purchased the Freez Frame division of the H.S. Crockker company in 1985. At that time H.S. Crocker was printing photos of the then heavy metal bands and shipping them out of Reno Nevada..................

-- Dean Lee (buyautomanuals@juno.com), November 18, 2003.

Dean, here's a source for 80s band memorabilia. It could be a good starting point. Are you sure it's spelled "Freez Frame?"

http://www.80s.com/UltimateCollection/

-- Rosa (rosadebon@yahoo.com), November 19, 2003.


If you are still looking for information on H.S. Crocker, please contact me. I worked there for seven years during their growth and transitions 1971-78). I also was involved in their furniture program.

-- Kathleen Gillion (krg8837@msn.com), June 13, 2004.

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