1880s–1910s
In order to cut out the middleman in the form of the wholesaler, furniture retailers sometimes went straight to the makers to purchase their goods. However, this could lead to circumvention of laws and underhand dealings. In 1888, Blundell Maple, now serving as a member of parliament, was brought for questioning by the Select Committee on the Sweating System after a series of allegations were brought forward accusing Maples of sweating.[11] These accusations involved Maples taking advantage of the craftsmen by overcharging for materials, delaying payment for items and offering loans to small companies to cover the cost of completing large orders from Maples themselves.[10][12] In the hearing, Maple admitted to purchasing goods from about 1,000 shops that were located around Tottenham Court Road and the East End.[11]
Despite this controversy, Maples continued to grow and in the 1883 edition of A Dictionary of Common Wants, the entry for Maple & Co. read:"'MESSRS. MAPLE & CO., 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, Tottenham Court Road, W.C., undertake, in both town and country, every description of Artistic Decorations, Parquet Flooring, Solid Oak Doors, Dadoes, &c., and complete House Furnishing. The showrooms cover an area of more than five acres which will give some idea of the extent of the business carried on; but no adequate conception can be formed of the magnitude and variety of the stock without the intending purchaser pays a personal visit to the establishment”.[14]"
By 1889, Maple & Co. occupied the block surrounded by Tottenham Court Road, Euston Road, Gower Street and Grafton Way.[15]
Maples association with the royal family was strong and throughout its history the company furnished numerous royal palaces and cottages. By 1892, Maples held the title of 'Upholsterers by special appointment to her majesty Queen Victoria'. The Royal connection continued and in 1910, when Edward VII died, Maples were appointed 'Upholsters and Decorators to his majesty George V'.[16] Maples used this prestige to their advantage and printed the royal crest in the corner of their trade cards along with their royal title. This was used until at least the 1950s and is evidenced by a trade card held by the Brotherton Library Special Collections archive at the University of Leeds. The trade card is held as part of the John Evan Bedford Library of Furniture History and shows an inscription reading 'Upholsterers and decorators by appointment to the late King George V'.[17] Maples' clients also included the Russian emperor and kings of other countries in Europe as well as Siam (Thailand) and the Grand Vizier of Persia.[18]
