Arthur Cecil Stair was the eldest child of Alfred Stair, a Civil Servant whose last position was Comptroller General of Inland Revenue (1900-1910), and his wife, Elizabeth. Arthur had four younger sisters; (Constance) Gertrude, (Frances) Lilian, (Beatrice) Maude and Eva Margaret Adele, and a brother, Vernon.
Arthur Cecil obtained his original training at Waring’s, a well-known furnishing house in London and then went to New York shortly after the turn of the century to run the decorating department of the Crawford Company. While there, he met Valentine Andrew, later to become his business partner.
He returned to England in 1904 and lived in Finchley, where he met Ethel Della Cade. They were married in July 1908 and made their home in North London.
1911 saw the opening of Stair & Andrew, at 25 Soho Square, London, specialising in English antique furniture; one of the directors of the company was Percy McQuoid, who wrote ‘The Dictionary of English Furniture’.
A year later, they opened a small branch in New York City and Val Andrew returned to the United States to head the business there. The business flourished and, in 1920, the company moved to premises in E 57th Street.
Arthur retired from active participation in the company in the 1950s but the business continued, on both sides of the Atlantic, being run by his son, Alastair Arthur Stair.
Letters from Arthur Cecil Stair to his wife, Ethel Della Cade
Aboard SS Finland
May 31st 1916
My dearest girl
Just a hurried line to tell you that we are not due to arrive till Saturday week, as this is a ten day boat, so don’t worry if you do not hear till Monday week of our safe arrival.
We got up to Liverpool all right and had little trouble in getting on as all our papers are in order.
Give the children a tight hug from me and just such a tight one as I should give you if I could.
No time to write more but do your best to have a good time whilst I am away.
Yours ever
Arthur
Stair & Andrew
668 Fifth Avenue
New York City
June 16th 1916
My dearest
I am leaving here on Saturday next, the 24th, sailing on the St Louis, and I shall be in London on the following Sunday week, July 1st. I shall be very glad to get away from this noise and bustle for I never get a moment’s rest, meaning late nights and early mornings.
Val wants me to come out again at the end of the year and I have arranged that, if I do that, I shall bring you as I know you will enjoy it.
Yesterday afternoon, we went down to Highlands and stayed the night with the Hartshorns! Mrs Hartshorn is poorly and is in the city under a trained nurse but Mr Hartshorn is just the same and Polly is wonderful. She is quite a young woman and must vivacious. You will call her good-looking but owing to her colouring you would notice her anywhere and she is dressed very well and allowed to go anywhere and do anything. Dick is quite a young man and is just about to enter a public school before he goes to Yale.
On Thursday night, Val and I went with Laban to the ‘Allies Bazaar’, which is more like a fair but at the same time they are taking a great deal of money, for some days ago they had got over a million. Val bought you a night cap which I will bring home with me!!!!!
Business is very good but we have had an anxious time over the store transfer as they misunderstood the position in London but I think it is all right now, anyhow, I hope so.
Tomorrow, Val and I are going, with Harry, to see the house that he has taken in New Jersey and I will let you know what I think of it in my next letter.
I hope you and the kiddies are well, darling, and enjoying the sea but I suppose when you get this letter you will have returned to Linden Lodge.
Give a kiss to them both and with heaps and heaps of everything to you, dearest
Yours, as ever
Arthur
668 Fifth Avenue
New York
June 13th 1916
My dearest Ethel
I arrived in New York on Friday last and at once cabled and let you know. Andrew was very pleased to see me and met me at the dock together with all the Bentall family. I came straight here and am delighted with the show Andrew has got and there is no doubt we have a great future, if things continue to go so well.
Today we have got our finance scheme through and are in a much better shape than we anticipated because our bank over here are advancing us the money to purchase the shares, so we shall not require Dexter and shall own the business ourselves – Isn’t it fine!!
On Sunday, I spent the day with Willis and family and enjoyed it very much. Mrs Willis is a charming woman and I am sure you would like her and she is quite prepared to welcome you as she has heard all about you from Billy and loved the photo of the children.
In the afternoon, Billy took me for a motor ride in his car and it was very interesting seeing all the homes round about where he lives.
I had a letter both from Polly and her father this morning – the latter asked me to lunch, but I couldn’t manage it owing to an engagement with the bank officials, but I am accepting an invitation from Polly to stay at their house on Thursday night.
Last night I went to dine with Harry and his wife and, after dinner, Victor and his girl joined us. The flat is ripping – and so it ought to be as he pays nearly £400 a year for it, but they are moving to the country in September. Harry is getting very deaf but Victor is just the same; I do not care for his wife (Mrs Victor). They have asked me down on Tuesday next for the day and I shall, of course, go.
I think I have now told you all I have done and am likely to do as I hope to get away on the ‘Kroonland’ leaving early on the 22nd and, if so, I shall be back in London on the 1st or 2nd July. I want you all very much and am looking forward to my return.
Give my love and kisses to the children and with heaps and heaps of both to yourself, dear
Yours always
Arthur
© VCRT