R.J. Horner Furniture Co.

Q: I am looking for information on the R.J. Horner Furniture Co. I inherited several pieces of bedroom furniture labeled with that name. The label says, ‘R.J. Horner & Co., Furniture Makers, 61-63-65 West 23d St., N.Y.’ Can the furniture be dated by the label?

A: Your bedroom furniture was made between 1886 and about 1914. Robert J. Horner opened a furniture shop on West 23rd St. in New York City in 1886. At first the store sold furniture it manufactured itself, but later it also sold imported furniture. In 1914 or ’15, R.J. Horner merged with another furniture company owned by George C. Flint. The new firm was called Flint & Horner. It grew into a large retail store.