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History of William H Becker Inc

 

Wm. H. Becker, Inc., formally located in center city Philadelphia at 46 North 11th Street and later at 925 Arch Street, was started as a general store by the original owner Mr. Wm. H. Becker in 1909. It specialized in general hardware, electrical, and plumbing supplies. Becker’s, as it was known then, began selling and repairing trains manufactured by the Lionel Company from New York City prior to World War I.  That relationship continued thru both World Wars up to the date that Lionel was sold to General Mills in 1969.  During the early years the store added sales and service of additional train manufactured lines such as American Flyer, Dorfan, Ives, Marklin, Marx, etc., and starting in the late 1930’s the new HO Gauge Manufactured Trains from Varney, Mantua, Walthers and others, etc.

 

In 1969 the business was incorporated as Wm. H. Becker, Inc., with the owner’s son, Winfield A. Becker, Sr. as the Store Manager.  In 1979 the City of Philadelphia redeveloped the center city area and the store was relocated three blocks away to 925 Arch Street.   Because business never recovered from the relocation and the beginning of the large train shows held around the area, three years later, in 1982, the store was closed by the son of the original owner, Winfield A. Becker, Sr.

 

Since that time the business has continued to participate in most of all the various “Train Shows” put on by promoters such as Greenberg’s and Great American Trains Shows (GATS), and the various collecting organizations, such as The Train Collectors Association (TCA), Toy Train Operation Society (TTOS), Lionel Collectors Club of America (LCCA), and others.  The business continues to handle all makes and models of all sizes from Standard, O, O-27, S, OO, and HO gauges manufactured from 1900 thru 1970.

 

Currently, the business continues to actively participate in all the various shows under the direction of Winfield (Win) A. Becker, Jr., third generation family member, located in the Tri-State Area.  See the list of future shows in the "Other Information" section of the site.

 

 

My payment, shipment and return policies are located on the "Other Information" page

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