intact and all original c. 1922 out of print crane company "homes of comfort" catalog featuring plumbing fixtures including a vast selection of lavatories, wash sinks, showers, bath fittings, faucets and heating goods available in the early 20th century. the product catalog contains exquisitely detailed illustrations and carefully drafted design specifications with prices included. the decorative softcover catalog is in exceptional condition considering its age and would be a great addition to a trade catalog collection. richard crane and his brother charles formed r. t. crane & bro. in 1855, which manufactured and sold brass goods and plumbing supplies. the new company soon won contracts to supply pipe and steam-heating equipment in large public buildings such as the cook county courthouse and the state prison at joliet. by 1865, when the name of the company was changed to the northwestern manufacturing co., it ran a large pipe mill and manufactured engines and steam pumps; by 1870, when it employed about 160 people, it was making elevators as well. after the chicago fire of 1871, the company decided to expand its operations. just after the firm became crane bros. manufacturing co. in 1872, it employed as many as 700 men and boys and manufactured over $1 million worth of products per year. in 1890, when it had sales branches in omaha, kansas city, los angeles and philadelphia, the company changed its name to crane co.by this time, crane was supplying much of the pipe used for the large central heating systems in chicago's new skyscrapers, and it was also selling the enameled cast-iron products that were soon found in bathrooms in residences across the country. in 1910, when crane had begun to manufacture in a plant at bridgeport, connecticut, its chicago plants employed more than 5,000 people. a large new chicago plant on south kedzie avenue was built around 1910. during the 1920's, when crane expanded overseas, the company was the world's leading manufacturer of valves and fittings.