J S & G F SIMPSON
28-36 RODNEY ST. BROOKLYN E.D.
Thanks to the intrepid research of Walter Grutchfield we know that George F and James S Simpson were brothers who took over the North Brooklyn Iron Foundry from their great uncle H.B. Scholes in about 1877. As can by seen by the address on the cover they were located in Williamsburg, which after it was annexed to Brooklyn in 1854 was called the "Eastern District." The Simpson brothers died in or before 1908 so the covers can be dated within that 30 year stretch of time.
DESIGN:
The design here was 19th century utilitarian, Star, studs and in this case two rows of advertising. I would speculate that this cover is one of the earlier ones made by this foundry. Later ones see below have a more ornate flower as the central element, and seemingly stronger lettering.
UTILITY:
Coal Cover
RANGE:
Ths cover is on 126th St. between Adam Clayton Powell Blvd and Malcolm X Blvd in central Harlem. Others with similar designs have been spotted over the years on the Upper East Side in Manhattan and Bed-Stuy in Brooklyn.
