Charles C. Stieff, Founder

Stieff in 1881

1897

Approx. 1920

Until we see photos like this, we forget just how huge early automobiles were.

The home of Gideon & Claire Stieff was called

CHROGI

Using the first letters of their sons names

CHarles    ROdney   GIdeon

CHROGI in October 2009

Charles C. Stieff III looks at his grandfathers home

Today CHROGI has been lovingly restored by its current owners.

Gideon N. Stieff purchased a 1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow through the Baltimore Pierce-Arrow dealer. It would appear that he bought the car in March 1934.

The 1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow and the Stieff Family

Sitting on hood, Gideon Jr.,Rodney w/ arm on hood Gideon Sr., Claire and Charles II

The following story appeared in the magazine The Classic Car in June 1986

*the 1937 repossession note on the title would have been from whom ever Mr. Stieff sold the

car to in the mid-1930’s, and not a reflection on the Stieff family.

In 2011, Rodney Stieff  told me that he remembers the car being “hot as blazes” and that he

used to “hang his head out the window like a dog” in order to cool off. This was of course much to the dislike of his mother and father. He did not remembering them having the car very long.

Gideon Stieff was given several options by the Baltimore Pierce-Arrow dealer.

Below is a price list of vehicles for him to consider.

Above, From the Stieff Family collection

Hind sight as they say is always 20/20. Today one of the remaining  3 Silver Arrows would sell for over a million dollars. This car must have been quite the traffic stopper in 1934.

But for Mr. Stieff, the car that his wife did not like, was just another used car in the mid 30’s

and it had to go.  I wonder what it was replaced by?

One of the remaining cars at a car show.

Claire Stieff

(Mrs. Gideon Stieff)

nee’ Alma Claire von Marees

The “Lady Claire” pattern was named for her.

Mrs. Stieff was also a member of the board of directors of The Stieff Company

She lived to be 102 years old, passing in May 2003.

(Collection of Rodney Stieff)

The Stieff family on board a ship to Bermuda, 1930’s

(Collection of Rodney Stieff)

Gideon Numsen Stieff

President of The Stieff Company from 1914-1963

Chairman of the Board 1963-1970

Gideon at his desk

(Collection of Rodney Stieff)

Seated Gideon Sr. From left, Rodney Stieff, Louis Ramber, Albert Hirschbaum,  Gideon Stieff and Charles C. Stieff II

Louis Ramber was head of the knife handles dept.      Albert Hirschbaum was head of the chasing dept.

Below, Gideon Sr., Louis Ramber and Albert Hirschbaum

(Collection of Rodney Stieff)

Charles C. Stieff relaxing on the front porch. Undated

(Collection of Rodney Stieff)

Gideon Stieff and Charles C. Stieff

Atlantic City 1916.

CHROGI

(Collection of Rodney Stieff)

(Collection of Rodney Stieff)

CHROGI with two automobiles.

The autos appear to be a pair of mid 1920s Pierce Arrows.

Mr. Stieff loved cars, eps. Packards, Pierce Arrows and Rolls Royce.

(Collection of Rodney Stieff)