Henry K. Silberman

Siegmund Silbermann's Cosel Businesses

Dad wrote that his grandfather was retired by the time he knew him. and was not quite sure what he had done for a living. He seemed to remember that he sold mirrors, but he is referred to as bookseller in one document. As I have done more research, it appears that both may be the case.

Business registry.

2. Advertisement

3. Advertisement.

4. Advertisement

5. Advertisement

1869

The first evidence of a business appears when Siegmund was 24 and it appears that he acquired/succeeded in a business adventure in Cosel:

1. From Deutscher Reichsanzeiger June 23, 1869

Royal district council at Cosel
In our company register under number 64 is entered:
Column 2. Book dealer Siegmund Silbermann.
Column 3. Cosel.
Column 4. B. Wichura et Comp. (S. Silbermann.)
Column 5. Entered according to release dated June 18, 1869 on June 19, 1869. Usten über das Firmenregister Volume IV page 164.

This matches up with the first advertisements I find, where he refers to the prior business (first him in parenthesis, then the former business in parenthesis, and then specfically referring to it as a former business), and by year-end makes no further references.

2. From Koseler Kreis-Blatt, May 6 1869:

Sämmtliche Druckformulare sind stets vorräthig in der Buchhandlung von B. Wichura & Comp. (S. Silbermann) in Kosel.

All printed forms are always in stock at the bookshop of B. Wichura & Co. (S. Silbermann) in Kosel.

3. From Koseler Kreis-Blatt, May 13, 1869:

S. Silbermann’s (B. Wichura & Comp.) neues Musikalien-Leih-Institut, Leih-Bibliothek, Journal-Lese-Zirkel in Kosel. Abonnements zu den billigsten Bedingungen können von jedem Tage an beginnen.

S. Silbermann’s (B. Wichura & Co.) new Music Lending Institute, Lending Library, Journal Reading Circle in Cosel. Subscriptions on the most favorable terms may begin on any day.

4. From Koseler Kreis-Blatt, June 24, 1869:

Die Buch-, Musikalien- und Papierhandlung von S. Silbermann (vormals B. Wichura & Comp.) in Kosel empfiehlt zum Quartalwechsel:

1., Leihbibliothek. Dieselbe wird mit allen nennenswerthen neueren Erscheinungen vervollständigt. (Abonnements mit Prämie 1 Thlr. 15 Sgr. vierteljährlich, ohne Prämie 1 Thlr.)

2., Musikalien-Leih-Institut.

3., Journal-Lesezirkel. Bestehend aus 20 der gelesensten Journale. Abonnementspreis für sämmtliche Journale 1 Thlr. vierteljährlich. Abonnements können von jedem Tage an beginnen.

S. Silbermann. Buchhandlung in Kosel.

The book, music, and paper shop of S. Silbermann (formerly B. Wichura & Co.) in Cosel recommends, at the change of the quarter:

1. Lending library. This is being completed with all noteworthy new publications. (Subscriptions with premium: 1 thaler 15 silver groschen per quarter; without premium: 1 thaler.)

2. Music lending institute.

3. Journal reading circle. Consisting of 20 of the most widely read journals. Subscription price for all journals: 1 thaler per quarter. Subscriptions may begin on any day.

S. Silbermann. Bookshop in Cosel.

5. From Koseler Kreis-Blatt, December 16, 1869:

Große Weihnachts-Ausstellung. Zum bevorstehenden Weihnachtsfeste empfehle ich mein assortirtes Lager von Jugendschriften, Bilderbüchern und Prachtwerken und sende auf Wunsch große Auswahl zur geneigten Ansicht. S. Silbermann, Buch- und Papierhandlung in Kosel.

Large Christmas Exhibition. For the upcoming Christmas season, I recommend my well-assorted stock of youth literature, picture books, and deluxe volumes, and, upon request, I send a large selection for inspection at your convenience. S. Silbermann, Book and paper shop in Cosel.

Advertisements 1872

These were both in the February 1, 1872, issue of the Ober-Glogauer Stadt-Blatt:

1. Antheil-Loose zur Königl. Preuß. 145ten Klassen-Lotterie sind zu haben bei S. Silbermann in Cosel.

Share lottery tickets for the Royal Prussian 145th Class Lottery are available from S. Silbermann in Cosel.

2. Zum baldigen Antritte suche ich einen Lehrling für mein Geschäft. S. Silbermann in Cosel..

For immediate commencement, I am seeking an apprentice for my business. S. Silbermann in Cosel.

Advertisements 1875

These were all in the June 17, 1875, issue of Koseler Kreis-Blatt:

1. Von jetzt ab verkaufen den Bogen Formulare mit 7 Rpf., selten gebräuchliche mit 10 Rpf. S. Silbermann’s Buchhandlung. F. Radek’s Buchdruckerei.

From now on, sheets of forms are sold at 7 pfennigs, rarely used ones at 10 pfennigs. S. Silbermann’s Bookshop. F. Radek’s Printing house.

2. Eine neue Göpeldreschmaschine steht zum Verkauf bei S. Silbermann in Kosel.

A new horse-powered threshing machine is offered for sale by S. Silbermann in Kosel.

3. Nur kurze Zeit zu sehen! Große Ausstellung von Delbildern, neueste Sachen, direkt aus Wien bezogen, bei S. Silbermann in Kosel.

Only for a short time to be seen! Large exhibition of relief pictures, the newest items, obtained directly from Vienna, at S. Silbermann in Kosel.

2. Advertisement

Government Forms

As noted, the book business had other revenue streams.

From Coseler Kreis-Blatt, March 6, 1879:

Beachtenswerth! Um jedem Irrthum vorzubeugen erlaubt sich die unterzeichnete Handlung anzuzeigen, daß sämmtliche Druckformulare für Gemeinden sowie für Schulen, namentlich Schul-Absentenlisten, Prüfungs- Protokolle, Klassenbücher und Fleißkataloge jederzeit nach Vorschrift der Königl. Behörden vorräthig sind und bittet bei Bedarf um gütigen Zuspruch. Obige Angaben werden event. das Landraths-Amt und der Herr Kreis-Schulen-Inspector bestätigen. Cosel, im März 1879. S. Silbermann’s Buchhandlung.

Worth noting! In order to prevent any misunderstanding, the undersigned firm takes the liberty of announcing that all printed forms for municipalities as well as for schools—namely school absentee lists, examination records, class registers, and diligence (merit) catalogs—are at all times available in accordance with the regulations of the Royal authorities, and respectfully requests patronage when needed. The above statements may, if necessary, be confirmed by the District Administrator’s Office and by the District School Inspector. Cosel, March 1879. S. Silbermann’s Bookshop.

From Coseler Kreis-Blatt, April 3, 1879:

Formulare zu Klassensteuer-Reklamationen empfiehlt S. Silbermann in Cosel.

Forms for class-tax appeals are offered by S. Silbermann in Cosel.

End of the Book Business

From Coseler Kreis-Blatt, July 31, 1879:

Hiermit erlaube ich mir die ergebene Mittheilung zu machen, daß ich die am hiesigen Orte bestehende Buch- und Schreibmaterialien-Handlung von S. Silbermann käuflich übernommen habe. Indem ich das geehrte Publikum um geneigtes Vertrauen bitte, zeichne Cosel, den 25. Juli 1879. Hochachtungsvoll ERNST ABERLE.

I hereby take the liberty of making the respectful announcement that I have purchased the book and stationery business existing at this place from S. Silbermann. In requesting the esteemed public’s kind confidence, I remain, Cosel, July 25, 1879. Respectfully, ERNST ABERLE.

2. Advertisement

Continuing Businesses

Unless there are now two "S. Silbermann" selling in Cosel, Siegmund has branched out even before he sold the book business. This confusion of furniture with other stuff continues later below. [Note I don't see any Cosel papers after July 1879 until January 1884.]

1. From Coseler Kreis-Blatt, January 30, 1879:

Beste Oberschlesische Stückkohlen per Tonne . . . 2 Mark Würfelkohlen „ „ . . . 1,90 bei Abnahme von Mindestens 15 Tonnen tritt freie Zufendung und Preisermäßigung ein. S. Silbermann, Cosel.

Best Upper Silesian Lump coal per ton . . . 2 marks Cubed coal “ ” . . . 1.90 marks With purchase of at least 15 tons, free delivery and a price reduction apply. S. Silbermann, Cosel.

2. From Coseler Kreis-Blatt, January 24, 1884:

Das Möbel-, Spiegel- und Polsterwaaren-Lager von S. Silbermann in Cosel empfiehlt complete Zimmereinrichtungen in allen Holzarten, Sophas, Fauteuils, Matratzen und Wiener Möbel zu billigen Preisen. ☞ Ratenzahlungen werden bewilligt. S. Silbermann in Cosel.

The furniture, mirror, and upholstery warehouse of S. Silbermann in Cosel offers complete room furnishings in all types of wood, sofas, armchairs, mattresses, and Viennese furniture at affordable prices. ☞ Installment payments are permitted. S. Silbermann in Cosel.

Advertisements 1885

These were both, side-by-side, in the April 18, 1885, issue of Groß-Strehlitzer Kreis-Blatt:

1. ür Landwirthe offerire billiger wie jede Concurrenz: Buttermehl den Ctr. für — — — 4 Mark 50 pfg Viehsalz den Sack von 2 Ctr. für 3 Mark Siede- und Speisesalz den Sack von 1½ Ctr. für 10 Mark 50 pfg Bei Entnahme größeren Quantums entsprechend billiger. S. Silbermann Productengeschäft in Cosel.

For farmers I offer cheaper than any competition: Butter meal per centner for 4 marks 50 pfennigs Cattle salt the sack of 2 centners for 3 marks Boiled and table salt the sack of 1½ centners for 10 marks 50 pfennigs For purchase of larger quantities, correspondingly cheaper. S. Silbermann Produce business in Cosel.

2. S. Silbermann in Cosel Kirchstraße erstes Haus vom Ringe, empfiehlt sein großes Lager sämtlicher Sorten Möbel-, Spiegel- u. Polsterwaaren in Nußbaum-, Mahagoni-, Kirsch- und Birkenholz Lager von Plüschgarnituren, Chaiselonges, Schaukelstühle in 4 verschiedenen Sorten. Pfeilerspiegel und Trymeaux.

S. Silbermann in Cosel Kirchstraße, first house from the Ring, recommends his large stock of all kinds of furniture, mirrors, and upholstered goods in walnut, mahogany, cherry, and birch wood. Stock of plush furniture sets, chaise longues, rocking chairs in 4 different varieties. Pier mirrors and trumeaux.

End of Business Ventures? 1894

There are missing years of the Cosel paper (1889-1892), so hard to know when his business folded. There are seed ads from 1888, but not sure when last furniture ad was.