Ursprünglich gegründet als 'Zeh, Ebeling & Reuss' durch John E. F. Zeh, Frederick Ebeling und Theodore Reuss, die von Philadelphia aus operierte und später erst nach Devon und später nach Allentown, Pennsylvania umzog. 'Ebeling & Reuss' handelte und importierte qualitativ hochwertige Geschenkartikel und wurde schnell zum Hauptanbieter von Porzellanfiguren und Teekannen für Geschäfte im Nordosten der USA.

Das höchste Importvolumen erreichte die Firma in den späten 1940er/1950er Jahren. George Ebeling war bis in die Mitte des 20. Jhd. Manager der Firma. Nach mehr als einem Jahrzehnt mit Ronald Rapelje als Präsident, wurde die Firma am 15. April 2002 an Strathmore Corporation of Pennsylvania verkauft und ist nach wie vor aktiv.

1986 wurde 'Ebeling & Reuss' exklusiver Händler für Figuren der  'Crystal Signature'-Linie von Swarovski. But by 1988 'Swarovski International' wanted to halt development of the figurines in breach of its duties under the distribution agreement. During investigation, one of thousands of internal Swarovski documents finally showed that it was planned all along to take back the distribution rights to the crystal figurines if the venture proved to be successful. The resulting trial concluded 1992 with the jury finding in favor of 'Ebeling & Reuss' on all counts, awarding it $55 million.

But what makes this company interesting is the fact that they imported products from many factories, including the German firms of 'F�rstenberg' (F�rstenberg), 'Goebel' (Oeslau / R�dental), 'Heinrich & Co.' (Selb) and, from 1955 onwards, 'Carl Schumann' (Arzberg). The firm also imported goods from the Keramos company (located in Vienna) and the firm of Ditmar Urbach, located in Teplitz-Turn (today Czech Republic). And for all those that have not guessed by now ... the trade name 'Erphila' was derived from the 'E' in Ebeling, 'R' in Reuss, and 'Phila' from Philadelphia.

1995
Somerset, N.J. - Royal Doulton, a leading china supplier, has given Ebeling & Reuss, importer and distributor of giftware, the rights to market select product lines to U.S. independent gift shops. Effective immediately, Ebeling & Reuss will distribute Royal Doulton's Royal Albert teaware and florals, Brambly Hedge and Royal Doulton florals lines.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb4360/is_199505/ai_n15226312

2002
Strathmore Corporation, Allentown, PA, purchased 186-year-old giftware importer and distributor Ebeling & Reuss Co. from Ronald Rapelje. Graham Mudie, president of Strathmore, becomes president of Ebeling & Reuss, and Rapelje, who was E & R president for more than a decade, will remain with the company as executive vice president.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb4733/is_200205/ai_n17304189