Meyer R. Bimberg (died March 25, 1908) was a successful seller of
campaign button
A campaign button is a pin used during an election as political advertising for (or against) a candidate or political party, or to proclaim the issues that are part of the political platform. In the United States, political buttons date as far ba ...
s and a theatre builder. Known as "Bim the Button Man" after the
1896 Republican National Convention
The 1896 Republican National Convention was held in a temporary structure south of the St. Louis City Hall in Saint Louis, Missouri, from June 16 to June 18, 1896.
Former Governor William McKinley of Ohio was nominated for president on the firs ...
, he made his fortune selling campaign buttons and built five theatres:
West End Theatre (New York)
Two theatres in Harlem, New York City, have been named West End Theatre. The first, of 1899, was abandoned after the foundation was built. It was on the northeast corner of 124th Street and Seventh Avenue, which is today known as Adam Clayton Powe ...
, the
Yorkville Theatre in
Harlem, New York
Harlem is a neighborhood in Upper Manhattan, New York City. It is bounded roughly by the Hudson River on the west; the Harlem River and 155th Street (Manhattan), 155th Street on the north; Fifth Avenue on the east; and 110th Street (Manhattan), ...
, the
Colonial Theatre (New York), the
Astor Theatre and the Stuyvestant Theatre (which later became known as the
Belasco Theatre
The Belasco Theatre is a Broadway theatre, Broadway theater at 111 West 44th Street, between Seventh Avenue (Manhattan), Seventh Avenue and Sixth Avenue, in the Theater District, Manhattan, Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York Ci ...
). He was found dead in his bed at the Zenobia building after a bout of
tonsilitis
Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils in the upper part of the throat. It can be acute or chronic. Acute tonsillitis typically has a rapid onset. Symptoms may include sore throat, fever, enlargement of the tonsils, trouble swallowing, and en ...
. The New York Times compared his theatre building, though short-lived, to
Oscar Hammerstein I
Oscar Hammerstein I (8 May 18461 August 1919) was a German-born businessman, theater impresario, and composer in New York City. His passion for opera led him to open several opera houses, and he rekindled opera's popularity in America. He was ...
's.
A heavyset redhead, Bimberg used personal connections to help prognosticate the outcome of elections. His brother Edward Bimberg was the proprietor of the Palm Garden on 52nd Street after a career on the vaudeville stage.
[ DWARD BIMBERG,LONG IN AMUSEMENT WORLD Veteran of Vaudeville and Brother of 'Bim the Button Man' Is Stricken Here at 49 New York Times]
References
1908 deaths
Year of birth missing
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