In 1861, what began as a mirror and frame shop became S & G Gump,

purveyors of gilded moldings and grand cornices, European artwork and

other trappings of elegance to the newly minted millionaires of the

California Gold Rush.

Just after the century's turn, brothers Solomon and Gustav Gump passed

the torch to Solomon's son, Alfred Livingston (A.L.), who had a

longstanding fascination with the Far East and—thanks to the earthquake

of 1906—soon had a store to rebuild and completely restock. Gump's

connection to the Orient began with A.L.'s purchases of fine art and other

masterworks from Japan and China. One of the most prized acquisitions,

a Ch'ing Dynasty gilded wood Buddha carved for a summer palace in

Northern China, still gazes serenely over the store's first floor. It is the

largest of its kind outside a museum, and the only item in the store that is

not for sale.

By the 1920s, our Union Square store was a must-see destination for any

visitor to San Francisco, and over time, Gump's has become synonymous

with The City, sharing her maverick spirit and worldly sense of style,

along with her unique combination of tradition and irreverence.

In the 1950s, Gump's became a pioneer in a new frontier of retailing:

direct mail. Today, our catalog and website reach customers far and wide,

carrying the Gump's name around the world.

True to A.L.'s vision, we continue to showcase the work of designers,

artists and master craftspeople throughout our product offering—from

jewelry to furniture to home décor and table settings—and to seek out

one-of-a-kind art and antiques for our gallery.

Throughout the years, we've been asked countless times why we haven't

followed the lead of so many retailers, popping up in every mall and on

every street corner. The answer is simple: There is only one Gump's. And

while we don't rule out the possibility of additional stores in the future,

you can be certain that each would offer the same sense of delight and

discovery as the original—a singular shopping experience nearly a

century and a half in the making.