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37-569: John Wanamaker (July 11, 1838 – December 12, 1922) was an American merchant and religious, civic and political figure, considered by some to be a proponent of advertising and a "pioneer in marketing". He served as United States Postmaster General in the Benjamin Harrison administration from 1889 to 1893. Wanamaker was born in the Grays Ferry section of South Philadelphia on July 11, 1838. to John Nelson Wanamaker,

74-832: A Princeton University graduate, lived in France early in his career. He is credited with creating a demand for French luxury goods in Philadelphia and the United States that persists to this day. Rodman was credited with the artistic quality that gave the Wanamaker stores their cachet. He was also a patron of fine music, organizing spectacular organ and orchestra concerts in the Wanamaker Philadelphia and New York City stores under music director Alexander Russell. Wanamaker died on December 12, 1922. His funeral

111-458: A Philadelphia-based newspaper. He irritated his father by publishing regular columns to radical intellectuals, including Henry George, Jr. , socialist Henry John Nelson, who later became Emma Goldman 's lawyer, and socialist Caroline H. Pemberton. The younger Wanamaker also began publishing a Sunday edition, which offended his father's sense of keeping the Sabbath holy. His younger son Rodman ,

148-813: A brickmaker and native of Kingwood, New Jersey , and Elizabeth Deshong Kochersperger, daughter of a farmer and innkeeper in Gray's Ferry. His mother's ancestors came from Rittershoffen in Alsace , France, and from Canton of Bern in Switzerland. At the age of 19, Wanamaker was hired by the Philadelphia YMCA , and served as the first corresponding secretary in the YMCA national organization. In 1861, Wanamaker opened his first store in partnership with his brother in-law Nathan Brown. The store, called "Oak Hall",

185-415: A century to come, failing to anticipate the effects of trains, the automobile , and related truck vehicles. During World War I , Wanamaker publicly proposed that the United States buy Belgium from Germany for the sum of one-hundred billion dollars, as an alternative to the continuing carnage of the war. Wanamaker was a presidential elector in the 1888 and 1920 presidential elections . Wanamaker

222-429: A fellow Republican. In 1890, Wanamaker commissioned a series of stamps that were derided in the national media as the poorest quality stamps ever issued, both for printing quality and materials. When his department store ordered advance copies of the newly translated novel The Kreutzer Sonata by Leo Tolstoy , the deadline was missed, and only the regular discount was offered by the publisher. He retaliated by banning

259-567: A fierce opponent of unionization. During an 1887 organizing drive by the Knights of Labor , he fired the first twelve union members who were discovered by his detectives. Wanamaker was the first retailer to place a half-page newspaper ad (1874) and the first full-page ad (1879). He initially wrote his own ad copy , but later hired the world's first full-time copywriter John Emory Powers . During Powers's tenure, Wanamaker's revenues doubled from $ 4 million to $ 8 million. Wanamaker supposedly said "Half

296-591: The Postal Service . He was the first to make plans for free rural postal service in the United States, although the plan was not implemented until 1896. In 1890, Wanamaker persuaded Congress to pass an act prohibiting the sale of lottery tickets through the mail, and then he aggressively pursued violators. Those actions effectively ended all state lotteries in the US until they reappeared in 1964, partly as an effort to undermine organized crime. Wanamaker's tenure at

333-551: The Eagle" became a popular Philadelphia catchphrase. In November 1955, the store tapped lighting designer, Frederick Yost, to create seasonal displays. Yost designed the "Holiday Light Show" for the Grand Court, creating a more-contemporary display than previous years. Since then, the light show has become an annual tradition for generations of Philadelphians. In the 21st century, the light show has been modernized, but has retained

370-471: The Philadelphian and suburban catchphrase "Meet me at the Eagle". When suburban branches of John Wanamaker's department stores opened in the 1950s and ’60s, the company installed various eagle statues in each one. The eagle sculpture still resides at the same location under ownership of Macy's and is an integral element of this store becoming the flagship within the chain. This article about

407-462: The Post Office was riddled with controversy. He fired some 30,000 postal workers under the then common " spoils system " during his four-year term, as it was customary for a change in political administrations to lead to new appointments for their own supporters. The changeover of so many employees caused severe confusion, inefficiency, and a run-in with civil-service crusader Theodore Roosevelt ,

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444-516: The Wanamaker stores, which were sold to May Department Stores Company on June 21, 1995. In August 2006 the flagship Philadelphia store was converted from a Lord & Taylor to a Macy's . United States Postmaster General The PMG is selected and appointed by the Board of Governors of the Postal Service , which is appointed by the president. The postmaster general then also sits on

481-510: The board. The PMG does not serve at the president's pleasure and can only be dismissed by the Board of Governors. The appointment of the postmaster general does not require Senate confirmation. The governors and the postmaster general elect the deputy postmaster general. The current officeholder is Louis DeJoy , who was appointed on June 16, 2020. The office of U.S. postmaster general dates back to country's founding. The first position, during

518-641: The book from the US Mail on grounds of obscenity. He was ridiculed for this action by many major U.S. newspapers. In 1891, he ordered changes in the uniforms of letter carriers, and was accused of arranging for all the uniforms to be ordered from a single firm in Baltimore, to which he was believed to have financial ties. In 1893 he made a public prediction at the Chicago World's Fair that U.S. mail would still rely on stagecoach and horseback delivery for

555-672: The campaigns of presidents Dwight Eisenhower , John F. Kennedy , and Lyndon B. Johnson , respectively, and was considered something of a sinecure . Poet and literary scholar Charles Olson , who served as a Democratic National Committee official during the 1944 U.S. presidential election , declined the position in January 1945. In 1971, the Post Office Department was re-organized into the United States Postal Service , an independent agency of

592-595: The colonial-era British America , was that of Postmaster General . Benjamin Franklin was appointed by the Continental Congress as the first postmaster general in 1775; he had previously served as deputy postmaster for the Thirteen Colonies since 1753. The formal office of the United States postmaster general was established by act of government on September 22, 1789. From 1829 to 1971,

629-405: The company John Wanamaker & Co. In 1875, he purchased an abandoned railroad depot and converted it into a large store, called John Wanamaker & Co. "The Grand Depot". Wanamaker's is considered the first department store in Philadelphia. The Wanamaker Building is a large, 12-story granite store in Philadelphia, designed by Chicago architect Daniel H. Burnham and completed in 1910. It

666-547: The day. John Wanamaker purchased a bronze bird sculpture by August Gaul , following the sculpture's exhibition in America in 1904 at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition . The 2,500 lb (1,100 kg) sculpture is a focal point of the store's Grand Court. The sculpture is placed above a steel beam because of its weight. Known as the "Wanamaker Eagle", it became a famous meeting place and "Meet me at

703-747: The executive branch, and the postmaster general was no longer a member of the Cabinet nor in line of presidential succession . The postmaster general is now appointed by the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service, not appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate.     Independent     Federalist     Democratic-Republican     Democratic     Whig     Republican August Gaul August Gaul ( German: [ˈɡaʊl] ; October 22, 1869 – October 18, 1922)

740-553: The look and feel of the original. Since 2006, the "Macy's Dickens Village" has been located on the store's third floor, continuing a Christmas tradition that had begun at Strawbridge's in 1985. Wanamaker expanded to New York City in 1896, continuing a mercantile business originally started by Alexander Turney Stewart . He expanded internationally with the Wanamaker European import houses in London and Paris. Wanamaker

777-580: The money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is I don't know which half." In 1889, Wanamaker began the First Penny Savings Bank in order to encourage thrift. The same year, he was appointed United States Postmaster General by President Benjamin Harrison ; he was accused by the newspapers of the day of buying the post. Wanamaker was credited by his friends with introducing the first commemorative stamp and many efficiencies to

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814-521: The organ between 1911 and 1917. By 1930, an additional 10,000 pipes were installed, bringing the total number of pipes today to 28,750. The instrument is of the American Symphonic school of design, intended to combine traditional organ resources with the tone colors and beauty of the symphony orchestra. Once a year, usually in June, " Wanamaker Organ Day " is held. This free festival lasts most of

851-679: The passage of the Hatch Act of 1939 , the postmaster general was in charge of the governing party's patronage and was a powerful position which held much influence within the party, as exemplified by James Farley 's tenure from 1933 to 1940 under Franklin D. Roosevelt . After the spoils system was reformed, the position remained a Cabinet post, and it was often given to a new president's campaign manager or other key political supporters, including Arthur Summerfield , W. Marvin Watson , and Larry O'Brien , each who played important roles organizing

888-636: The postmaster general was the head of the Post Office Department (or simply "Post Office" until the 1820s. ) and was a member of the president's Cabinet . During that era, the postmaster general was appointed by the president of the United States , with the advice and consent of the United States Senate . After passage of the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act in 1883 and prior to

925-745: The upper office tower was marketed as the Wanamaker Office Building. The Wanamaker Building's most notable feature is its seven-story, marble-clad central atrium, known as the "Grand Court". The Grand Court quickly became a Philadelphia favorite, highlighted by the Wanamaker Eagle and the Wanamaker Grand Court Organ. The Grand Court has been featured in several movies, including Nasty Habits in 1977, Mannequin in 1987, Blow Out in 1981, and 12 Monkeys in 1995. The Wanamaker Grand Court Organ

962-852: Was a German sculptor and expressionism artist, born in Großauheim (now part of Hanau ). August Gaul was a founding member of the Berlin Secession . On close terms with art dealers like Bruno and Paul Cassirer , he became a leading figure in the Berlin art scene before World War I. Gaul died of cancer in Berlin in 1922. Produced in Frankfurt, Germany for the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis , August Gaul's "Durana" bronze eagle features hundreds of hand-forged bronze feathers and

999-864: Was an avid collector of art and antiquities. He made several donations to the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology . Among the donations was a collection of bronze reproductions of artifacts uncovered from the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum , known as the Wanamaker Bronzes, which Wanamaker had commissioned by the Chiurazzi Foundry in Naples for the museum. In 1860, Wanamaker married Mary Erringer Brown. They had six children, two of whom died in childhood: In 1899, Wanamaker's son, Thomas, who specialized in store financial matters, purchased The North American ,

1036-602: Was an innovator, creative in his work, a merchandising genius, and proponent of the power of advertising, though modest and with an enduring reputation for honesty. Although he did not invent the fixed price system, he is credited for the creation of the price tag; he popularized it as the industry standard. He also started the "money-back guarantee" that is now standard business practice. He provided his employees with free medical care, education, recreational facilities, pensions and profit-sharing plans before such benefits were considered standard. Labor activists, however, knew him as

1073-481: Was constructed on the property in addition to his vast mansion. Part of the former estate became the campus of Salus University . A family trust owned the Wanamaker's store chain, run by a trustee system set up by Rodman Wanamaker's will. In 1978, the business was sold to Carter Hawley Hale, Inc. The 15-store chain was sold to Woodward & Lothrop in 1986, and the downtown store was renamed as Lord & Taylor . Woodies declared bankruptcy in 1994, and with it went

1110-506: Was dedicated by U.S. President William Howard Taft on December 30, 1911. The store stands on the site of "The Grand Depot", encompassing an entire block at the corner of 13th and Market Streets across from Philadelphia City Hall . The new store, The Wanamaker Building, which still stands today, became a Philadelphia institution. The entire building was initially devoted to the department store and company offices. The building has remained an integral part of Philadelphia culture . In 2018,

1147-603: Was designed by George Ashdown Audsley and built by the Los Angeles Art Organ Company for the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair . The instrument had 10,059 pipes, and cost $ 105,000 to construct, equal to $ 3,560,000 today. Wanamaker bought the organ in 1909 and had it transported from St. Louis aboard 13 freight cars. The organ's installation in Philadelphia took two years. It was played for the first time on June 22, 1911, to coincide with England's King George V's coronation. More than 8,000 pipes were added to

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1184-509: Was located at 6th and Market Streets in Philadelphia , adjacent to the site of the residence and offices of George Washington during his presidency . Oak Hall grew substantially based on Wanamaker's then-revolutionary principle: "One price and goods returnable". In 1869, he opened his second store at 818 Chestnut Street , and, capitalizing on his own name due to the untimely death of his brother-in-law and growing reputation, renamed

1221-598: Was located on York Road below Washington Lane at ( 40°05′07″N 75°07′52″W  /  40.0853°N 75.1311°W  / 40.0853; -75.1311 ). The original mansion was designed by architect E. A. Sargent of New York City; President Harrison visited Wanamaker at the Lindenhurst mansion. A neoclassic mansion was constructed when the original Victorian Lindenhurst burned in 1907, destroying much of Wanamaker's art collection. A railroad station, Chelten Hills located below Jenkintown , and no longer in existence,

1258-706: Was made sole inheritor of the store businesses. Rodman Wanamaker died in 1928, leaving the businesses with a documented worth of $ 36.7 million ($ 637,097,416 today) in a trust. Rodman is credited with founding the Professional Golfers' Association of America and the Millrose Games . The senior Wanamaker's first son, Thomas B. Wanamaker, died in Paris in 1908. His country estate, Lindenhurst mansion in Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania ,

1295-745: Was on December 14, 1922, with a service at the Bethany Presbyterian Church. He was interred in the Wanamaker family tomb in the churchyard of the Church of St. James the Less in Philadelphia . At his death, his estate was estimated to be US$ 100 million ($ 1,820,278,330 today), divided equally among his three living children and granddaughters, Mary "Minnie" Wanamaker Warburton (Mrs. Barclay Warburton), Patricia "Paddy" W. Estelle, and Elizabeth Wanamaker McLeod, who all received substantial stock, real estate and cash instruments. Second son Rodman

1332-419: Was the centerpiece of one of the many German exhibits at the fair. When the fair closed the statue weighing 2,500 pounds was purchased by John Wanamaker of Philadelphia for $ 10,000. The eagle was re-installed centrally in the Grand Court of what has become known as America's first department store, Wanamaker's . The Eagle quickly became the store's unofficial mascot and grew in iconic popular social context with

1369-400: Was the last surviving member of President Benjamin Harrison's cabinet. Wanamaker was known for his philanthropy to programs to aid the poor in Philadelphia. He co-founded Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission, a homeless shelter and soup kitchen, in 1878. The Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission has since expanded to provide more services and still supports the homeless population of Philadelphia. He

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