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A glove factory visit in '57
People who live in the Northeast need a hand to make it through the winter months.
Two hands, really — two hands made of leather that become constant companions when snow, ice and wind are on the move.
Gloves are a key fashion accessory when people bundle up. During the late 1950s, folks who lived in the Gloversville area were bullish on bundling. More than 70 factories were manufacturing gloves in the Fulton County city in 1957. Other plants were operating in nearby Mayfield, Northville and Broadalbin.
A visit to the Alexette Bacmo factory showed people how leather was formed for fingers. Posted on January 31, 2011.
Frank Liscio, left, hammers out a glove thumb while co-worker Edward Gurga holds up a finished one at Gloversville’s Alexette Bacmo factory in 1957. Many hands were on the job, turning out products ideal for winter weather.
A leather worker at Alexette Bacmo in Gloversville stands on the job in 1957.
Experience counted big in glove manufacturing during the 1950s. Roy Stroub, a slitter for 50 years, removes leather “tranks” from a die cutter.
Aime Causse, an Alexette Bacmo foreman, examines a leather skin before assigning it to a cutter.
Robert Raymond, a cutter for Alexette Bacmo, examines some of the many size patterns used for the company's glove-making operation in 1957.
Mrs. Ralph Gazzillo, right, stiches thumbs into a pair of gloves at the Alexette Bacmo plant in Gloversville in 1957.
Arthur Calebrese, a production man for the Alexette Bacmo glove factory in Gloversville in 1957, takes a look at the company’s latest handiwork.
Anthony Carus, left, and Peter Carus press Gloversville gloves onto steam iron forms in the last operation before the hand warmers leave the factory.
Ted LaRowe, an assistant colorer at Alexette’s wood and hyde tannery, prepares pieces of South African sheepskin for dip coloring.
