LEADING  MANUFACTURERS  AND  MERCHANTS  CITY  OF  BROOKLYN


George J. SWAYNE

Publisher, Bookseller, and Stationer
Importer of English, French, and German Fancy Goods, Perfumery, etc.
No. 216 Fulton Street.-

In reviewing the various enterprises that have made Brooklyn one of the 
great commercial centres of the nation it is easy to perceive that the 
publishing trade has exercised an important influence over all other 
industries, and that the minds of our people are to a great extent 
influenced for good or evil by the literature which is introduced to them. 

Prominent among the representative and progressive houses engaged in this 
trade is that of Mr. George J. Swayne, No. 216 Fulton Street. This business 
was established in 1847 by Mr. William W. Swayne, who conducted it till 1883 
when he died, after a long, honorable, and brilliant career, and was succeeded 
by the present proprietor. From a moderate beginning this home has grown to 
be one of the most extensive and reliable in the country, and its patronage 
is rapidly increasing. 

The premises occupied are very spacious and convenient, and comprise a superior 
four-story brownstone store with basement, 25x103 feet in dimensions, fully 
fitted up with every appliance and facility for the accommodation of the 
splendid stock, which has no superior in the United States. 

From thirty to seventy clerks, operatives, etc., are employed, according to 
the season. Mr. Swayne likewise carries on an extensive business as a bookseller 
and stationer, and imports largely English, French, and German fancy goods, 
perfumery, etc., and makes a specialty of producing in the highest style of 
art wedding and visiting cards, monograms, crests, and coats of arms. The stock 
of books reflects great credit on the good taste and judgment of the proprietor, 
and includes a full line of standard works, volumes of poetry, travels, science, 
and some of the finest works in ancient and modern languages, and a complete 
line of fine stationery, which are offered to customers at very moderate prices. 

Mr. Swayne is a native of Brooklyn, and has made hosts of friends in consequence 
of his kind and courteous manners and sterling integrity. Enough has been said 
to enable our readers, at least faintly, to realize the importance of this 
responsible house, which is always able to offer the strongest inducements to 
purchasers of first-class literature and fancy goods absolutely unsurpassed by 
those of any other contemporary first-class house in New York or Brooklyn. 



With Special Thanks to: Cathy Harrison Speciale
Transcribed exclusively for the Brooklyn Genealogical Information Pages: Nancy E Lutz

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