The Hanson & Van Winkle Company was founded in 1863 (incorporated 1891) by C. Harrison Condit and Joseph Hanson in Newark, New Jersey. Its industry was electro-plating, hoists and conveyers (originally dyes and chemicals) and its headquarters were in Newark, New Jersey (1863-1927) and Matawan, New Jersey (1927-1964).

  • Founding & Roots (1863/1820): While historical company advertisements claim roots stretching back to a grocery wholesale business in 1820, the formal industrial partnership was established in 1863 by C. Harrison Condit and Joseph Hanson in Newark, New Jersey. It was formally incorporated as the Hanson & Van Winkle Company in 1891. 
  • The 1927 Merger: The company merged with the A. P. Munning Company to form the Hanson-Van Winkle-Munning Company, subsequently relocating its main manufacturing base to Matawan, New Jersey. 
  • Acquisition & Dissolution (1964–1979): In September 1964, the business was acquired by M&T Chemicals Inc a subsidiary of the American Can Company, operating as a specialized division. After being resold to the Buehler Corporation in 1972 and relocated to Indiana, operations officially ceased in 1979 when its remaining physical assets were sold off. 
Key Technical Contributions
The firm significantly advanced the field of metal processing through several breakthroughs:
  • The "Little Wonder" Plating Dynamo: A commercial, low-voltage, high-current DC electric generator that made standard electroplating affordable and replicable for factories across the United States. 
  • Celluloid Lacquer (1886): The company introduced an immediate commercial success—a protective coating that stopped newly electroplated metal items from tarnishing or corroding in open air. 
  • Automation Equipment: They designed the earliest automated conveyor systems, continuous wire-cleaning lines, and mechanical plating barrels that allowed shops to transition from hand-dipping to assembly-line manufacturing. 
  • Industrial Footprint: They regularly supplied complete, specialized plating infrastructure to major industrial icons of the era, including the famed Tiffany & Co. silverware manufacturing plants. 

CONDITION/DESCRIPTION:
This 269 page catalog printed between its1923 copyright date and the 1927 merger in which the Company name changed shows signs of use over approximately 100 years, but in very good condition. SEE PHOTOS