Cool Universal range with pull out butcher block

Landers, Frary and Clark (LFC) was based in New Britain CT., and was there starting originally in 1842. They survived until 1965 when the company was sold/split-up/absorbed by other companies. The largest of these was General Electric that obtained the electric appliance division at that time consisting of small electric appliances (percolators, waffle makers, toasters, etc.) The trade mark the company "adopted" around 1896 was UNIVERSAL, and first appeared on the food chopper that I'm sure you're all familiar with. UNIVERSAL - "The Trade Mark Known In Every Home" went on to represent the "top line" products (and there was a HUGE variety - from vacuum bottles to appliances, from tools and hardware, to household scales. At various times they manufactured toys, ice skates- and a huge item - cutlery). The cutlery division was many times considered the "Sheffield of American Cutlery" and was one of the, if not THE largest makers of cutlery in the world.

OK - enough of that....You are not mistaken about Lima Ohio. LFC started offering electric ranges as early as 1915, adding various types of washing machines, water heaters. This made up the company's "major appliance line". The electric ranges became quite innovative, and a lot of "firsts" appeared on UNIVERSAL electric ranges. The clothes washers never made it beyond the wringer type except those times they offered combination washer/spin dryers. The later, best, Speedliner electric ranges offered two ovens, warming drawer, storage drawer, deep well (or economy cooker), automatic start/stop clock which could operate the (main) oven, the cooker, or the convenience outlet. It included a recipe card file of which the inside of the lid contained a mirror which was "just the thing for a quick check when the door bell rings". Another innovation introduced by LFC was a system of appliance "units" consisting of cook top, oven, drawer, and cabinet units that could be arranged as the purchaser chose. For instance a high level oven, a cook top on either (or both) sides, or completely away from the oven, two ovens, etc. the combinations were endless. The washers, water heaters, and ranges were all produced in the Ellis street factory in New Britain, which stands to this day, whereas all of the other plants have been destroyed to make room for highways, etc.

Lima....(finally huh?) In 1952, a decision was made at LFC to sell off the "major" appliance division due to the fact that it had begun to be unprofitable to try and compete with those brands that more or less specialized in large appliances and the company felt that it could ill afford to retool and expand to offer what everyone else was...that being automatic washers and dryers, air conditioners, refrigerators, home freezers, dish washers, (though from time to time LFC DID offer refrigerators of their own manufacture). So, they sold the division to the ArtKraft company in Lima and to the Baltimore Porcelain Steel Corp of Maryland. The new company was called Universal Major Appliances, Inc. and based in Lima. LFC "loaned" the famous UNIVERSAL trade mark (which has the word UNIVERSAL inside what appears to be a modified dog bone). LFC was to be phased out in ten years - but, I don't' think the division lasted that long. I know there were quality problems, often times supply issues and lawsuits and that is where my story ends. I continue to try and research UMA, Inc. but I keep hitting brick walls. It's obvious they are no longer....

So, in summation, if an ELECTRIC range says Universal on it, most likely it is an LFC product. The gas ranges, the old parlor wood stoves, etc. were other companies that I know literally nothing about.

Landers, Frary and Clark only made Electric ranges....


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Post# 846608 10/19/2015 at 15:30 (3,110 days old) by everythingold (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Checkrate/Likes Never seen this before. Pretty cool. Already found it a good home. Photos... < > Photo 1 of 4 View Full Size

Post# 846609 , Reply# 1 10/19/2015 at 15:32 (3,110 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )
Checkrate/Likes *I always liked* A Universal,it and a Crown were great quality products made in Chicago.

Post# 846610 , Reply# 2 10/19/2015 at 15:43 (3,110 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)
Checkrate/Likes 2 Nice storage and extra work space when you need it - stowed neatly away when you don't. Wasn't this also the range that offered the James dishwasher in place of that cart as well?

Post# 846952 , Reply# 3 10/21/2015 at 15:49 (3,108 days old) by brib68 (Central Connecticut)
Checkrate/Likes Does anyone know if this is the same Universal as the Universal small appliances made by Landers, Frary & Clark of New Britain, CT until the mid-60s?

Post# 846955 , Reply# 4 10/21/2015 at 16:40 (3,108 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )
Checkrate/Likes *NO...* This range was built by the Cribben and Sexton Company, Sacremento Blvd, Chicago Ill,No relation to Landers Frary and Clark, who also made a range, but a electric one.

Post# 846959 , Reply# 5 10/21/2015 at 16:49 (3,108 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)
Checkrate/Likes Greg. yes!

Post# 847077 , Reply# 6 10/22/2015 at 13:08 (3,107 days old) by brib68 (Central Connecticut)
Checkrate/Likes Thanks, Norgeway! Confusing that Universal wasn't a 'universal' name. IIRC, one of the threads of vintage appliance adverts had an ad for a Universal range with the company address given as Lima, Ohio. (Lima is about 30 miles from where I grew up, so it caught my attention) I don't recall if the ad was for gas or electric, but I guess that probably would have been Cribben & Sexton, since Lima is much closer to Chicago than to Connecticut?

Post# 847092 , Reply# 7 10/22/2015 at 15:32 (3,107 days old) by Davey7 (Chicago)
Checkrate/Likes *Sooo... .Crown = Universal?* The clock and oven control bezel look just like my best friends Crown.

Post# 847103 , Reply# 8 10/22/2015 at 18:10 (3,107 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)
Checkrate/Likes I knew a family with the a very same stove as a kid and it had a dishwasher cart that never worked right and they had a Mobile Maid to do dishes.

Post# 847116 , Reply# 10 10/22/2015 at 20:08 (3,107 days old) by crevicetool (Snellville Ga.)
Checkrate/Likes *except that time......* when they made a combination electric/wood/coal fueled beast that in addition to preparing the family's dinner it also provided room heat, and hot water. Rick

Post# 847128 , Reply# 11 10/22/2015 at 21:39 (3,106 days old) by Iheartmaytag (Wichita, Kansas)
Checkrate/Likes My sister used to have a range like that one. Not that clean, however. The extra roll out came in handy for prep work in an old kitchen with no cabinets or counters to speak of.

Post# 847208 , Reply# 12 10/23/2015 at 14:45 (3,106 days old) by brib68 (Central Connecticut)
Checkrate/Likes *Wow, Crevicetool!* Thanks, Rick--that's quite an education! Makes me wonder if the gas-fuled Universals could have been a sub-license of the name.

Post# 847210 , Reply# 14 10/23/2015 at 15:25 (3,106 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )
Checkrate/Likes *Both were* Chicago built.

Post# 847115 , Reply# 9 10/22/2015 at 20:06 (3,107 days old) by crevicetool (Snellville Ga.)
Checkrate/Likes *brib68 - let me add to, or clear up some confusion....* Landers, Frary and Clark (LFC) was based in New Britain CT., and was there starting originally in 1842. They survived until 1965 when the company was sold/split-up/absorbed by other companies. The largest of these was General Electric that obtained the electric appliance division at that time consisting of small electric appliances (percolators, waffle makers, toasters, etc.) The trade mark the company "adopted" around 1896 was UNIVERSAL, and first appeared on the food chopper that I'm sure you're all familiar with. UNIVERSAL - "The Trade Mark Known In Every Home" went on to represent the "top line" products (and there was a HUGE variety - from vacuum bottles to appliances, from tools and hardware, to household scales. At various times they manufactured toys, ice skates- and a huge item - cutlery). The cutlery division was many times considered the "Sheffield of American Cutlery" and was one of the, if not THE largest makers of cutlery in the world. OK - enough of that....You are not mistaken about Lima Ohio. LFC started offering electric ranges as early as 1915, adding various types of washing machines, water heaters. This made up the company's "major appliance line". The electric ranges became quite innovative, and a lot of "firsts" appeared on UNIVERSAL electric ranges. The clothes washers never made it beyond the wringer type except those times they offered combination washer/spin dryers. The later, best, Speedliner electric ranges offered two ovens, warming drawer, storage drawer, deep well (or economy cooker), automatic start/stop clock which could operate the (main) oven, the cooker, or the convenience outlet. It included a recipe card file of which the inside of the lid contained a mirror which was "just the thing for a quick check when the door bell rings". Another innovation introduced by LFC was a system of appliance "units" consisting of cook top, oven, drawer, and cabinet units that could be arranged as the purchaser chose. For instance a high level oven, a cook top on either (or both) sides, or completely away from the oven, two ovens, etc. the combinations were endless. The washers, water heaters, and ranges were all produced in the Ellis street factory in New Britain, which stands to this day, whereas all of the other plants have been destroyed to make room for highways, etc. Lima....(finally huh?) In 1952, a decision was made at LFC to sell off the "major" appliance division due to the fact that it had begun to be unprofitable to try and compete with those brands that more or less specialized in large appliances and the company felt that it could ill afford to retool and expand to offer what everyone else was...that being automatic washers and dryers, air conditioners, refrigerators, home freezers, dish washers, (though from time to time LFC DID offer refrigerators of their own manufacture). So, they sold the division to the ArtKraft company in Lima and to the Baltimore Porcelain Steel Corp of Maryland. The new company was called Universal Major Appliances, Inc. and based in Lima. LFC "loaned" the famous UNIVERSAL trade mark (which has the word UNIVERSAL inside what appears to be a modified dog bone). LFC was to be phased out in ten years - but, I don't' think the division lasted that long. I know there were quality problems, often times supply issues and lawsuits and that is where my story ends. I continue to try and research UMA, Inc. but I keep hitting brick walls. It's obvious they are no longer.... So, in summation, if an ELECTRIC range says Universal on it, most likely it is an LFC product. The gas ranges, the old parlor wood stoves, etc. were other companies that I know literally nothing about. Landers, Frary and Clark only made Electric ranges....

Post# 847209 , Reply# 13 10/23/2015 at 14:54 (3,106 days old) by brib68 (Central Connecticut)
Checkrate/Likes *Crown* Hey Davey There sure does seem to be a resemblance between Crown and gas Universal. These pics are from a CL ad from Xenia, Ohio that my husband forwarded to me this morning (quite a coincidence!) Photos... < > Photo 1 of 2 View Full Size

Post# 847365 , Reply# 15 10/24/2015 at 16:00 (3,105 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area)
Checkrate/Likes *Hey Brian* Where in northwest Ohio are you from? My sister lives between Findlay and Bowling Green, and I have a friend in Celina.

Post# 847376 , Reply# 16 10/24/2015 at 16:39 (3,105 days old) by delaneymeegan (Midwest)
Checkrate/Likes Another interesting piece in the history of evolving appliances. Whether its a stove with a rollout storage and cutting board, a stove with Dishwasher combination, a sink and dishwasher combined, or even the stove with double oven over head, they were perfect for people with limited counter space. A quaint thought, IMO.. Pic is of a 1910 Sears Home kitchen.

Post# 847386 , Reply# 17 10/24/2015 at 16:59 (3,105 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)
Checkrate/Likes And that chair on the left is where the lady of the house just had to collapse in it after all that housework, kids, hubby working late to pay for it. At least most of us are responsible enough to pay our own way and hope to have someone you mutually share with in today's world.

Post# 847457 , Reply# 18 10/24/2015 at 21:53 (3,104 days old) by Brib68 (Central Connecticut)
Checkrate/Likes *Hey Tom* From Van Wert, just north of your friend in Celina. I lived in Cincinnati for almost 20 years, too, before moving east.

Post# 847637 , Reply# 19 10/25/2015 at 23:04 (3,103 days old) by delaneymeegan (Midwest)
Checkrate/Likes *Wow LOL* I just noticed. Did anyone else notice, in the picture posted in #16.... in the floor in front of the door, there is a trap door. LOL. What were they thinking? So someone comes home, the trap door is off, they walk in and .... down. LOL.

Post# 847643 , Reply# 20 10/26/2015 at 00:40 (3,103 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *Trap door* It may be a feature, not a flaw. For example, that pesky door-to-door salesperson at the front door. Say: "My hands are full! Could you go around back? The door is open!" Then run and whip open the trap door. Or perhaps it can be opened and left open on those troublesome nights when hubby is out playing poker, and comes home at 4 with more booze in his system than you'd find in an entire liquor store. Leaving it open could also allow be helpful when the brats come home from school. LOL

Post# 847720 , Reply# 21 10/26/2015 at 14:50 (3,103 days old) by Davey7 (Chicago)
Checkrate/Likes 1 That's the door to the root cellar! The oven controls on that Crown are just like on my friends, except the rest of their range looks like the Universal. You'll see a lot of Crown in kitchens on Lake Shore Drive where bigger ranges were replaced. But fewer and fewer as people renovate and want "upscale" rather than good cooking or retro.

Post# 848219 , Reply# 22 10/28/2015 at 19:24 (3,101 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area)
Checkrate/Likes Thanks Brian, I've not been to Van Wert in a long time. I do sometimes go through Delphos on the way to my sister's. How did you like Cincinnati?

Post# 848234 , Reply# 23 10/28/2015 at 20:01 (3,101 days old) by delaneymeegan (Midwest)
Checkrate/Likes *I like how you think, John.* This must be the basis for the old saying " I wonder how many bodies are buried in his(her) fruit cellar". Somebodies whose house simply has a trap door awkwardly located.

Post# 849901 , Reply# 24 11/5/2015 at 08:57 (3,093 days old) by everythingold (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Checkrate/Likes *in it's new home* she's very happy. Photos... < > Photo 1 of 3 View Full Size

Post# 849903 , Reply# 25 11/5/2015 at 08:58 (3,093 days old) by everythingold (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Checkrate/Likes the tag says Cribben and Sexton, Chicago Ill

Post# 850094 , Reply# 26 11/6/2015 at 08:32 (3,092 days old) by Volvoguy87 (Cincinnati, OH)
Checkrate/Likes *On the side.* This is going to go slightly off topic, but... That is an interesting looking refrigerator next to the range. It looks new with a retro skin. What is it? Dave

Post# 850124 , Reply# 27 11/6/2015 at 12:05 (3,092 days old) by everythingold (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Checkrate/Likes *The fridge is a Heartland* Basically it is a whirlpool with a fancy front on it, and a big price tag. Actually have two front covers at the shop, but not the freezer part. We do warranty work for Heartland.

Post# 850778 , Reply# 28 11/10/2015 at 02:03 (3,088 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )
Checkrate/Likes *How does it cook and bake!!!* I want another gas range, I wonder if the Universals are as good as they look.

Post# 850808 , Reply# 29 11/10/2015 at 08:27 (3,088 days old) by everythingold (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Checkrate/Likes The new owned baked us some brownies, they were delicious and she said she was thrilled with the performance. If you have to cook on gas, which is barbaric, vintage stoves, which drop to a steady state are far better than modern on/off ignitor systems which have significant temperature fluctuations.

Post# 850869 , Reply# 30 11/10/2015 at 15:09 (3,088 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )
Checkrate/Likes *I like cooking* On gas and electric, but much prefer a gas oven.