John Wanamaker collection, 1827-1987.

ArchivalResource

John Wanamaker collection, 1827-1987.

This rich and extensive collection, which is arranged into five series and spans over one hundred and fifty years, details the history of Wanamaker's store in Philadelphia and its influence as a major city retailer in during the 19th and 20th centuries. There is also material in the collection that documents Wanamaker's involvement and impact not only on merchandising and related fields but also on issues of social reform and cultural attitudes. Throughout the collection, materials are generally arranged in chronological order; however, the loose photographs in Series four are arranged by subject and size. The collection includes correspondence, financial volumes, scrapbooks, albums, estate and legal papers, store records, publications, photographs, financial files, sales portfolios, sound recordings, glass negatives, and deeds. A complete inventory of the collection is available in HSP's library.

327 boxes, 196 v., (365 linear feet)

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 7274211

Related Entities

There are 3 Entities related to this resource.

Wanamaker, Rodman, 1863-1928

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6tm8f8g (person)

John Wanamaker (Firm)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w63j777z (corporateBody)

Wanamaker's legendary department stores were oalaces of consumption that turned shopping into an event for ordinary people. Born in Philadelphia in 1838, John Wanamaker pioneered the concept of the department store. In 1861 Wanamaker and his brother-in-law, Nathan Brown, opened Oak Hall, a men's clothing store. In 1876, intending to open a central market like London's Royal Exchange or Paris' Les Halles, he converted an abandoned Pennysylvania Railroad depot into a multipurpose clothing and spec...

Wanamaker, John, 1838-1922

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6h70fp7 (person)

John Wanamaker was founder of a Philadelphia department store. From the description of Collection, 1779-1892. (Historical Society of Pennsylvania). WorldCat record id: 122632980 John Wanamaker, 1838-1822. Born Philadelphia, created first department store, pioneered use of price tags, money back guarantees, newspaper ads, and white sales. Instituted employee health care, pensions, and fringe benefits. Samuel Sydney McClure, 1857-1949. Founder, editor,...