The William Marvy Company of St. Paul: Keeping Barbershops Classic

By Curt Brown

Book Overview

The William Marvy Company's barber poles, encased swirls of red and blue above a rounded stainless-steel base, hang on street corners around the country. The company began creating the vibrant signposts in St. Paul three generations ago. Modern versions of the bloody rags used by surgeon-barbers in the Middle Ages, barber poles are well-known icons, but the Marvy family story is largely unknown. From his humble beginnings as the son of a Latvian migr carpenter through the growing pains of his namesake company, Marvy showed business acumen and innovation that culminated with his invention of a shatterproof barber pole, ensuring the company's continued success. From crew cuts and the Beatles up through today, barber poles have remained an easily recognized social constant.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1626195692
• ISBN13: 9781626195691
• Release Date: January 2015
• Publisher: History Press
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.9" x 8.9"