Stickley made this cute Bassett Hall sofa. In the 1920s, Gustav Stickley marked his product with the phrase, Als Ik Kan – “to the best of my ability.” to assure customers that Stickley furniture was of the finest quality, every piece made with honor, integrity, and pride. The principle was solidly embodied in the treasured early 20th century Mission Oak antiques of L. & J.G. Stickley and the Craftsman Workshops.
Leopold Stickley’s colonial-inspired Cherry Valley Collection honored the tradition of early American craftsmen. The beloved collection continued throughout the following decades, earning Leopold the title “The Revered Dean of Cabinetmakers.”
In 1974, Alfred Audi knew L. & J.G. Stickley very well when he bought the company. His father, E.J. Audi, partnered with Leopold Stickley for years to provide New Yorkers with the finest quality furniture from his Manhattan showroom. Although experts warned that the odds were stacked against them, Alfred and his wife, Aminy, were unwilling to let Stickley become a relic of the past. Alfred told the few Stickley craftspeople still employed when he purchased the company: “You stick with me, I’ll stick with you, and we’re going to make this place move.” Together, they rejuvenated the company.