I just came across your post while doing some family history research. My great-grandfather was Robert E. Clarke, and in 1874 when he was about 19 he set up a business with his slightly older brother George in Brooklyn where they lived. They called themselves "Clarke Bros. & Co." and had what they called a "Bracket Store" located on Fulton Street at the junction of Flatbush Avenue. I believe they published at least this one catalog (dated Fall 1875) which can be seen in its entirety, digitized on-line at http://www.archive.org/details/illustratedcatal00clar The business doesn't seem to have lasted beyond 1877. The family had left Brooklyn by 1878 and Robert became an actor and elocution teacher. I don't know what became of George. And, unfortunately, I don't know any more about this bracket & furniture business, but would like to!

Thanks Pamghatten! I don't know how I missed those. I have been searching all over the internet, eBay included trying to figure it out. Those look just like them the height matches, and the stem looks exactly the same when viewed from above. Looks like we will have to me more careful with them from now on.

It is not knotweed......and it does look like a tree seedling (root shoot), what type I am not sure. But you will get faster and accurate ID's if you use the forum - Name That Plant - that is intended for plant identification. This is not the right place :-)

@WoW Washington please explain how the OP is to tell you the PG of their windows when they wrote: "I wanted to understand the specs of the current windows before I start calling around for selected replacement windows in hopes of not having to replace ALL the windows due to style/quality differences. For the life of me I can't seem to find any identifying marks on the existing windows." @Eric H - even if you knew the specs of the windows when they were new, I don't think those old specs would give you any kind of useful benchmark to buy windows today. Millions of people move into houses and replace the windows when they have no idea what brand the existing older windows were or their specs. I would replace in a first stage just the windows in the room or rooms that are the most problematic in the way of the traffic noise and/or where you feel they may be weakest or most deteriorated. After that, take stock of whether you want to continue in other rooms. I understand you are concerned about contractors wanting to upsell you. But at some point - even if you knew the specs of your existing windows - you are going to have to rely on a windows contractor. If you have 3 different quotes to do just 1-2 rooms, you can get a feel for the cost, and for those contractors' reliability. It would also help you a lot to go to windows showrooms and ask questions and look at what is available. Manufacturer websites will tell you where those showrooms are, as well as provide a list of approved installers.