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James Saunders Dies Suddenly

James Saunders Dies Suddenly image
Parent Issue
Day
18
Month
January
Year
1949
Copyright
Copyright Protected
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Donated by the Ann Arbor News. © The Ann Arbor News.
Obituary
OCR Text

James Saunders Dies Suddenly
Originated ‘Drumhead’ Sheepskin Mount

James B. Saunders, who framed thousands of diplomas for University students, died this morning.
Mr. Saunders, who termed himself “the originator of the famous drumhead mount” for University “sheepskins,” collapsed in his workshop in Nickels Arcade shortly after 10 o’clock this morning.
He had been ill for some time, but had continued with his work of picture framing.
The 73-year-old businessman, whose office once was a “must stop” for every graduating senior, was born in Ann Arbor on May 16, 1876.
Began Business in 1898
After attending the public schools here, he became a special delivery mail carrier, and also worked for a time in the signal division of the Michigan Central Railway.
But in 1898, he went into the picture framing business, first being employed by M. W. Blake, and remained with that shop through several successive ownerships.
About the time of the first World War, Mr. Saunders went into business for himself, and established his offices on the second floor in the Arcade building.
Besides framing diplomas, he also specialized in providing frames for pictures, and was frequently consulted by art students.
Secret Process
In recent years, the decision of the University to issue book-size diploma folders, instead of the older, Latinized diplomas, had reduced that segment of his business. The “drumhead mount,” his own secret process, kept the parchment taught in the frame.
A member of the Picture Framers’ Society, Mr. Saunders also was active in the Knights of Malta, the Odd Fellows, Woodmen of the World, the Maccabees, and Golden Rule Masonic Lodge.
Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Lane Fenton of Kingsley; three sisters, Mrs. William L. Hartwig and Mrs. Augusta d’Vallenzuela, both of Detroit, and Mrs. Ada McKaig of Toledo; and several nieces and nephews, including William Hartwig of Pittsfield Village, who has been associated with him in the business.
Mr. Saunders’ wife, the former Mabel Midgley, died in 1944. Their home was at 504 Crest Ave.
Funeral arrangements not yet have been completed. The body was taken to Muehlig’s Funeral Chapel.