Subject: Jewish businesses

This billhead from Arnold, Nusbaum & Nirdlinger, wholesale dealers in ready-made clothing, cloths, cassimeres, vestings, and tailor trimmings, records a transaction with Mr. Samuel Haggerty on August 28, 1863. The bill lists items such as "Cap" and "Melton" with quantities and prices, totaling $35.40, and notes a payment received. The billhead features ornate Victorian-style lettering for the business name and a decorative border around the "Terms" section in the upper left corner.

This billhead from Berry & Angerman, wholesale and retail dealers in Boots and Shoes, Clothing, Furnishing Goods, Blankets, Hats, etc., records a transaction with Mr. Tompkins in Leadville, Colorado, dated November 1, 1888. The item listed is "1 Pr Miss Jr. son" for a total of 50 cents, marked as paid on October 5th. The document features ornate script for the buyer's name and the location/date, with bold lettering for the business name and product categories. Ruled lines are present for itemizing purchases. The payment is signed by "Berry & Angerman." **3.

This billhead, dated February 16, 1877, records a transaction between Cahn, Wampold & Co.'s Clothing Department and M. Rohrbaugh & Moore of Kinmundy, IL. Cahn, Wampold & Co. is identified as Manufacturers and Jobbers of Clothing & Woolens, located at 56, 58, 60 & 62 Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL. The document itemizes various clothing articles such as suits, vests, and pants, listing quantities and individual prices, culminating in a total amount for the goods purchased. The billhead features elegant script for the business name and transaction details, with a prominent "Clothing Department" header and disclaimers about returns and claims. The overall design reflects the sophisticated commercial stationery of the late 19th century. The item notes that the business was recovering from the Great Chicago Fire of October 8, 1871. **3.

This billhead from Crown Suspender Co., located in New York, New York, is addressed to C. Bloomberg & Co., and Greenhood, Bohm & Co. in Helena, Montana, dated June 13, 1888. The transaction details the sale of various quantities of "Suspenders" and "Candales" (likely a type of suspender or accessory), with specific style numbers, quantities, and individual prices, totaling an amount of $22.83. The billhead features a decorative, ornate Victorian-style letterhead for "Crown Suspender Co." with its factory and office addresses, and mentions "Terms" for the transaction. The document is printed on lined paper, with some handwritten annotations in red and black ink, including checkmarks next to certain items. 3.

This billhead from Fleischmann & Co., "Original Manufacturers, Introducers & Distributors in the United States and Canadas of Compressed Yeast," records a transaction with Messrs. Moore & Pollard through their Hartford Corres. Agency on September 1, 1885. The terms were cash, and the item listed is 1 dozen of Yeast for a total of $7.50. The document features ornate Victorian-style lettering for the business name and a decorative border, typical of commercial printing from the period. **3.

This billhead from December 22, 1880, records a transaction from Greensfelder, Rosenthal & Co., manufacturers and jobbers of boots and shoes located at 105 & 107 Wabash Avenue, Chicago. The item is addressed to M. Dworak and Beckman in Oakdale, Nebraska, and lists a quantity of "19½ Doz. men's Bkce. Arat" with a 25% discount, totaling 18. The document notes "No claims for damage and shortage will be allowed Unless made within TEN DAYS after receipt of goods" and "Accounts are subject to sight draft when due, and draw interest at 10 percent from maturity." Terms are "30 days net" with a "10 [days] 1 per cent. discount." The billhead features ornate Victorian-style lettering for the company name and a decorative banner proclaiming "Manufacturers and Jobbers OF BOOTS AND SHOES." **3.

This billhead from Hoffman and Co., importers and wholesale dealers in fancy goods, embroideries, ribbons, laces, millinery, and white goods, is dated August 29, 1885. The transaction lists the sale of "6 yds. col. Silk White" for a total of $21 to Rosenberg Bro. The item specifies that it is "Payable in U. S. Gold Coin." The billhead features ornate Victorian-style lettering for the business name and a decorative framed illustration on the left side, detailing their offerings of "Gents' & Ladies' Furnishing Goods, Dress Trimmings, Hair Nets, HOSIERY!"

This billhead records a transaction where Wadhams & Elliott bought 25 bags of rice at 5¼ units each, totaling $131.25, from M. S. Grinbaum & Co., Commission Merchants, in San Francisco. The payment was due in sixty days. The billhead features the business name "M. S. GRINBAUM & CO." in prominent, ornate Victorian-style lettering. A small box in the upper left corner indicates "M. S. GRINBAUM & CO. IMPORTERS And Commission Merchants, HONOLULU H. I." The item also includes a stylized 'G' logo within a diamond shape. Handwritten notations, including the date "Sept 19. 1884" and what appears to be a check mark or "Paid" symbol, are visible.

Billhead for a transaction between Savage Co. and Mark Strouse, proprietor of Central Market, located at No. 15 South C Street, Virginia, Nevada. Dated March 31, 1876. The bill lists 15 lambs and 2 sheep, with a total cost of $63.00. Mark Strouse's signature is present, indicating payment was made. The billhead has a printed header with ornate lettering and the business name.

Billhead from Gross, Morris & Brother, located at 10 & 12 Third Streets, Opera House, Troy, New York. Dated September 24, 1877. The firm was active in Jewish affairs.

Billhead from L. Dinkelspiel & Co., located at 111 Battery Street, between California and Pine Streets, San Francisco, California. The billhead is dated May 6, 1872, and indicates a sale to A. Cohen. It also mentions the New York City office, Dinkelspiel, Rothfeld & Co., located at 72 Thomas Street, New York. The company was active in Jewish affairs.

Billhead from M. Oppenheimer & Co., dated December 18, 1899. The billhead features a lithograph of the nine-story Oppenheimer building located at 811 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This billhead is part of the Kaufman, Oppenheimer & Co. Archive, a collection of billheads, receipts, and broadsides documenting the evolution of this influential Jewish manufacturing and wholesale clothing firm from the late 1870s through 1902. Founded as Klee & Kaufman in 1851 by Simon Kaufman and his father-in-law Jacob Klee, the firm became Kaufman, Oppenheimer & Co. in 1865 with the addition of Moses Oppenheimer as a partner. In late 1879, Simon Kaufman withdrew, and the firm became M. Oppenheimer & Co. The firm's 1879 profile in *Industries of Pittsburgh* reported approximately $8,000,000 in revenue (in 2016 dollars) and 150 employees. Both Oppenheimer and Kaufman were active in Pittsburgh's Jewish community and founding members of Rodeph Shalom Synagogue.

Lithographed billhead of Mendel & Freedman, a department store located at 770-774 Chapel Street in New Haven, Connecticut. The billhead features an illustration of the full store and a Jewish star. The date on the record is March 21, 1911.

This item is a carte-de-visite, a popular photographic format from the late 19th century. The front features a portrait of a young man with a mustache, dressed in a dark suit and bow tie, looking slightly to the right. The reverse side is ornately designed with the business name "Bogardus & Bendann Brothers Photographic and Portrait Galleries" in decorative Victorian-style lettering, accompanied by a crest-like emblem surrounded by a sunburst design. The address "No 1153 Broadway near 27th street NEW YORK" is also prominently displayed.

A hand-tinted carte-de-visite photograph, likely taken between 1865 and 1870, by photographer E. A. Kusel in Oroville, California. The photograph depicts two young, unknown children standing side-by-side, with the boy on the left wearing a suit and the girl on the right in a pink dress and floral headpiece. The image exhibits a characteristic studio backdrop and lighting of the mid-19th century. The reverse side of the card features the photographer's imprint, "E. A. KUSEL, MONTGOMERY STREET, Oroville," centered in ornate typography. The hand-tinting provides color to the children's clothing and facial features, a common decorative practice for studio portraits of the era.

Unusual advertising piece: a brush handle with the name and address of H. M. Levine carved into the top. The address is listed as 125 Tremont Street, Boston, Massachusetts. The date is unknown, but estimated to be around 1920 based on stylistic features and other materials in this collection. The item is part of a larger collection of Judaica Americana.

Check issued by L. H. Hershfield & Bros. bankers of Helena, Montana, to I. L. Holzman & Bros. on September 4, 1877. The check was endorsed by I. L. Holzman & Bros.

Check dated September 28, 1877, issued by R. N. Hershfield of Leavenworth, Kansas, payable to Kountze Bros. The check includes a vignette depicting the successor firm "Hershfield & Mitchell." Biographical information on R. N. Hershfield is included, detailing his career in watchmaking and retail in Leavenworth, Kansas, from 1856 to 1877. Information from William G. Cutler's *History of the State of Kansas* (1883) is cited.

A commercial letter from M. Hyman & Co., importers and manufacturers of boy's clothing, located at 518 Market Street and 19 Sutter Street, San Francisco, California, to Frank Litsch in Shasta, California, dated November 3, 1880. The letter, signed "Levy," is contained within a commercial envelope.

An envelope from Leon Isaacs & Co., Manufacturers of Glucinum Pens, located at 925 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA. The envelope is addressed to Arthur F. Frey at 520 Warren Street, East Saginaw, Michigan. It features a decorative company logo depicting a pen nib, with "LEON ISAACS & CO. GLUCINUM" inscribed on it, and ornate Victorian-style lettering for the business name and product. The postal cancellation mark indicates it was mailed on June 22, 1885, at 5 PM, from Philadelphia, PA. The reverse side contains handwritten notes, possibly inventory or accounting references. 3.

Letter from Greenebaum Bros. & Co., Bankers, located at No. 1 Nassau Street, New York. Dated December 9, 1874. The letter is addressed to R. D. Gribble of Jefferson, Texas. The letter states that Greenebaum Bros. & Co. has enclosed a corrected list of European correspondents for Gribble's guidance. The letter also states that drafts on Germany are henceforth to be issued in Reichsmarks, which please note. Thalers and Florins cease to be legal currency with the end of the current year. The letter concludes by requesting Gribble to return the old list of instructions.

This letter, dated March 26, 1866, is from H. G. Norton & Co. in New York to the Providence Rubber Co., concerning sample shipments of hosiery. The letter features an ornate, highly detailed lithographed letterhead depicting a block of buildings on Broadway, New York. The illustration identifies several businesses, including H.G. Norton & Co. (Rubber Goods) at 509 Broadway, Bogardus Photographs, Taylor's International Hotel & Saloons, Solomon & Hart (Fabric for upholstery), S. Strahlheim & Co. (Laces & White Goods), E.A. Hayt & Co. (Cloaks and Mantillas), W.H. Lyon & Co. (Yankee Notions and Hosiery), Watrous Boyden & Fay (Hats), and B.F. Beekman (Silk and Straw Goods), each with their specific building number. The architectural style depicted is typical of mid-19th century commercial blocks in a major city. **3.

This letter, dated August 4, 1862, is from Hendricks Brothers in New York, New York, to Luther Boardman in East Haddam, Connecticut. The letter acknowledges receipt of a check for $25.00 in payment for "S.M. Copper Plate." The letterhead features ornate Victorian-style lettering for "Office of Hendricks Brothers" and "New York Aug. 4, 1862," along with the business address.

This is a handwritten letter dated February 9, 1871, from S. Marks in Roseburg, Oregon, to R. Cohen in San Francisco, California. The letter reminds Cohen of an outstanding debt ("bill of bee 22 feet") and asks for a reply. It also seeks Cohen's opinion and potential involvement regarding the Oregon City Manufacturing Company's interest in establishing an agency for the purchase of wool "spring clips." S. Marks requests Cohen's views on the proposal and asks him to keep the discussion private. The letter is written in cursive on lined paper. **3.

An envelope addressed to M. Samuel & Son at 157 & 159 Commerce Street, Newark, New Jersey, dated August 30, 1898, featuring advertising for Applegate & Hope. The envelope displays commercial printing and letterhead design common to the late 19th century.

Business letter from Drey & Kahn, French and American Window Glass manufacturers in St. Louis, Missouri, to Robertson & Herndon, attorneys in Tyler, Texas, dated January 11, 1877. The letter discusses business matters between the two firms, both of which appear to have Jewish owners.

Letter from Drey & Kahn, French and American Window Glass dealers in St. Louis, Missouri, to Robertson & Herndon, attorneys in Tyler, Texas. Dated December 18, 1876. The letter discusses business matters. Both firms were Jewish.

A business letter written by E. Ritzera to M. & S. Sternberger on October 12, 1886. The letter, written on M. & S. Sternberger's letterhead, mentions a judgement and a telephone number (317 Spring). The letterhead indicates the company's location at the corner of Spring and Mercer Streets, New York, New York, within the Empire Commercial Sales Building.

A one-page, stampless letter written by Henry Tobias in Liverpool, England, to Charles Tobias in New York City on May 8, 1838. The letter discusses business matters, mentioning working late and missing breakfast.

A letter written on M. Jacobs & Co. letterhead, dated July 6, 1897, concerning a shipment of cornmeal. The letter is addressed to C. D. Clarke in Peoria, Arizona, and was sent from the M. Jacobs & Co. store in Phoenix, Arizona. The letterhead features the business's name and description as "Dealers in General Merchandise."

A letter written by Simon Muhr on Pinto Leite & Nephews letterhead, introducing the firm to Mayer Sulzberger. The letter was written on June 26, 1880, and is addressed to Mayer Sulzberger. The letterhead indicates the company's address is 45 Moorgate Street, London, England.

License tax receipt issued to Jacob Cohen on May 18, 1875, in Pima County, Arizona, for operating what appears to be a wine and liquor establishment. The document is from the archival collection of Judaica Americana.

Lithograph depicting the Rosenbaum Store and Rail Road House on Clay Street in San Francisco, California, as they appeared after the October 21, 1868, earthquake. The image is from a letter sheet measuring 7 7/8 x 10 1/16 inches, with a blank page attached. It shows one of the earliest known depictions of a Jewish-owned store in San Francisco following the quake. The letter sheet shows a watermark with a shield and stars on the printed side and 'Carew & Co.' on the blank side.

This pamphlet contains two full-page advertisements from a 1879 "Clothier and Hatter Periodical." One advertisement is for M. Sampter & Sons, located at 261 & 263 Canal Street, New York. It promotes their Spring and Summer 1879 collection of Youths', Boys' and Children's Clothing, noting their recent move to more extensive quarters. The second advertisement is for Hammerslough Brothers, Wholesale Clothiers, located at 478, 480 & 482 Broadway, New York. It features their Spring and Summer stock of "Novelties" and highlights their specialization in "White Vests" made from various fabrics. Both advertisements feature bold, period-appropriate typography and decorative borders. The Hammerslough Brothers ad includes a distinctive illustrative logo with three stylized vests framed in an arch. 3.

A petition to the Postmaster, dated April 1, 1886, advocating for the retention of Henry A. Muller as Assistant Postmaster in Cincinnati, Ohio. The petition is written on illustrated letterhead belonging to Kahn's and signed by 23 firms, at least 50% of which appear to be Jewish businesses.

A mounted photograph depicting the Hotel Milton building in Milton, Massachusetts, circa 1890. The multi-story building features several balconies and dormer windows, indicating a commercial and lodging establishment. Signs visible on the building identify it as the Hotel Milton and also indicate the presence of Cohen Brothers (Morris), Practical Merchant Tailors, with their storefront visible on the ground floor to the left. The photograph has a sepia tone, typical of the late 19th century, and is mounted on a card. 3.

A receipt issued by L. H. Hershfield & Bro. for currency on August 12, 1871, in Helena, Montana Territory. The receipt indicates that L. H. Hershfield acted as treasurer.

Stereoscopic photograph depicting a scene along the Bowery in New York City, circa 1905. The image includes a Jewish shop sign and the Wasser Kosher Restaurant. Other visible details include references to an elevated railroad ('Elev. RR'). The photographer is identified as H.C. White.

Stereoscopic photograph depicting Levy & Coblentz's establishment at Downey's Block on Main Street, Los Angeles, California. The image shows the oldest wine and liquor distributor in Los Angeles, established in 1868. The photograph is captioned "Los Angeles, California".

This document is an order for payment, also known as a Sutler's Script, issued by M. B. Breitenbach, a sutler to the 12th Michigan Infantry. It records a transaction where Corporal George W. Plumer of Company K, 12th Michigan Infantry, purchased goods totaling $55.00. The script directs the U.S. Paymaster to deduct this amount from Plumer's final pay upon the regiment's mustering out at Jackson, Michigan. The item is a partially pre-printed form with handwritten details for the date, names, amount, and various certifications. It features a header 'PAYMASTER U.S.A.' and spaces for witnessing and certifications of purchase.

A trade card for B. Merzbacher, a dealer in ready-made clothing and gent's furnishing goods located at 413 Penn St., Reading, PA. The card features an illustration of a young boy in a cap, peeking through a stylized torn hole, holding a flower bouquet. The text advertises "Quick Sales and Small Profits" and provides the business details. The card's aesthetic is characteristic of late 19th-century advertising, utilizing color lithography.

Trade Card - Excelsior Clothiers .....Comical re: mother-in-law......,,,verso full ad for one year birthday 3/27/1884...Excelsior Clothiers was a notable retail clothing store located at 201–211 Superior Street in Cleveland, Ohio, during the late 19th century. Situated in the Rouse Block, a prominent commercial building on the northwest corner of Public Square and Superior Street. Jacob Steinfeld was a prominent member of Cleveland's German-Jewish immigrant merchant class during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His success as a retail pioneer allowed him to help shape the city's early commercial landscape while becoming a major figure in its growing Jewish communal network. Operating under the banner of Excelsior Clothiers at 201-211 Superior Street, Steinfeld earned the newspaper moniker the "Old Reliable" clothier. His business was highly regarded for introducing high-volume, affordable, ready-made clothing to Cleveland's working class. Leveraging his retail wealth, he heavily invested in local real estate, hiring the renowned architectural firm Lehman & Schmitt to construct a massive multi-story commercial building on Woodland Avenue in 1891, as well as a large personal estate and barn complex on East 55th Street in 1889. As a highly successful businessman, Steinfeld was a key early member and patron of The Excelsior Club. Founded in 1872, the institution served as the primary social and cultural epicenter for Cleveland's elite German-Jewish community during an era when they were excluded from mainstream Gentile social clubs. Beyond social circles, his philanthropy extended deep into the community; he supported early Jewish orphanages, immigrant relief funds, and welfare charities recorded in historical registries like the American Jewish Year Book. Steinfeld's commitment to his community extended to preserving its history and honoring its dead. He was actively involved in the development and maintenance of Mayfield Cemetery, a landmark Jewish cemetery established in 1887 by the Euclid Avenue Temple and Tiffereth Israel congregations. Upon his death, he was interred there alongside his peers, cementing his legacy within Cleveland's Jewish history.

This colorful trade card advertises Greensfelder, Florsheim & Co.'s "Celebrated School Shoes," declaring them "ARE THE BEST" and stating that "Every pair warranted." The front features a vibrant color lithograph illustration of a crying child, wearing the advertised shoes and holding a book and a red umbrella, being playfully harassed by a flock of geese in a rural landscape. The verso of the card features text: "GREENSFELDER, FLORSHEIM & CO. CELEBRATED SCHOOL SHOES FOR SALE BY" and "SEE THAT EVERY PAIR HAS OUR LABEL." The visual style, with its narrative imagery and decorative typography, is characteristic of late 19th-century advertising.

This colorful trade card advertises H. Roman, a manufacturer and importer of fine clothing and furnishing goods, located at 38 & 40 Kearny Street, S. E. Cor. Post, San Francisco. The card features a chromolithographic illustration depicting three children in period clothing: two standing, and one peering over a wooden fence, adjacent to a large sign displaying the business name and address. The decorative imagery and ornate text are characteristic of late 19th-century advertising materials.

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This is a two-color trade card for I. Rice Sons, Clothiers & Merchant Tailors, located at 29 E. Main St., Rochester, N.Y. The business was established in 1852. The card features an illustration of a young girl in a bonnet and ruffled dress pushing a doll in an ornate pram, rendered in blue and white against a brown/gold background. The text, including the business name and details, is printed in a straightforward, clear font. The reverse side is blank except for collection marks. 3.

This color lithograph trade card advertises "The Owl Shirt," sold by Julius Falk, a leading clothier, hatter, and gents' furnisher in Peru, Indiana. The front of the card features a detailed illustration of a brown owl perched on a tree branch at night, holding a letter in its beak, with a crescent moon and stars in the background. The promotional text reads, "To begin and end well You should buy an 'OWL SHIRT.'" The verso of the card provides further details about the shirt, stating "Workmanship, Quality and Fit WARRANTED," and identifies Julius Falk as the seller, noting his business as "Leading Clothier, Hatter & Gents' Furnisher" in Peru, Indiana. The printer, "WOLF & CO., PHILA.," is also credited on the verso.

This trade card advertises M. & A. Lebensburger, Clothiers, located opposite the Post Office in Sandusky, Ohio. The card features a colorful illustration of a young girl with brown hair, wearing a pink dress and a matching hat, sitting on a wooden fence among flowers and foliage. The design style is characteristic of late 19th-century chromolithography, with a soft color palette and detailed imagery. 3.

This trade card serves as an advertisement for the Oregon Furniture Mfg. Co., located in Portland, Oregon. The business manufactured and sold furniture, and also dealt in carpets, bedding, and other related items. The front of the card features a color illustration of a young girl with curly blonde hair, wearing a ruffled bonnet, holding a pink and white fan, with a cat peeking from behind her. This image is characteristic of late 19th-century chromolithography. The verso provides business details, including the names of the President (Sam. Lowenstein) and Secretary (Wm. Kapus), lists the company's offerings, and provides addresses for their Office and Salesrooms (208 and 210 First Street) and Steam Factory (207 and 209 Front Street). The verso also features decorative borders and ornate Victorian-style typography.

This two-tone trade card, printed in brown and blue/green, advertises Polack's clothing store, located at 213 and 215 North Fifth Street in St. Louis. The card promotes the sale of men's, boy's, youth's, and children's clothing. The front features a charming illustration of a young girl wearing a hat, sitting on the grass next to a white picket fence with flowers, playing with a doll. The verso of the card is blank.

This trade card advertises Roos Bro's, a business specializing in men's, boy's, and children's clothing, as well as gent's furnishing goods. The card lists two locations: 35 & 37, Kearny Street S.W. cor. Post, San Francisco, and a branch house at 22, South C. Street, Virginia City, Nevada. The front of the card features a vibrant, colorful illustration centered around a Spanish theme, including a Spanish flag, various medals, and coins. A detailed drawing of the "Vue du Palais Royal" (Royal Palace) in Madrid, Spain, is prominently displayed, alongside text indicating "Espagne" and referencing "Drapeaux, Armes, Monnaies, Décorations" (Flags, Arms, Coins, Decorations). The business name is rendered in ornate Victorian-style lettering. 3.

This trade card advertises Strasburger & Son, a clothier business in Baltimore, Maryland, offering "the cheapest & best clothing in the city for the least money." The advertisement highlights $10.00 corkscrew suits, guaranteed to be all wool and well-made, and a large line of men's, boys', youths', and children's clothing, especially for fall and winter. The front of the card features a racist and offensive depiction of an Indigenous person, labeled "A CORNED INDIAN," dressed in a corn husk outfit and feathered headdress, holding a staff. The image is copyrighted 1886 by C.P. Griffith & Co. Baltimore. The reverse side displays the advertisement with ornate Victorian-style typography and decorative flourishes. 3.

This trade card from The London & Liverpool Clothing House, located at 902 & 904 Pacific Ave. in Tacoma, W. T., dates to circa 1885. It features a colorful illustration of a woman balancing a basket filled with fruit and glasses on her head, a common advertising motif of the period. The card serves as a compliment from the clothing establishment, with proprietor Chas. Reichenbach noted. The lettering for the business name is decorative, indicative of Victorian-era advertising aesthetics.

This trade card advertises Weichselbaum & Schwamenfeld, manufacturers of quilts and jobbers in dry goods, notions, trimmings, and ladies' and gent's furnishing goods, with auction goods as a specialty. The business was located at 548 North Second Street, below Green, in Philadelphia. The front of the card features a colorful pastoral scene depicting a man in a horse-drawn cart on a dirt road beside a body of water at sunset or sunrise, with a tree and lush foliage. The verso displays the company's full advertisement, utilizing various decorative Victorian-style fonts for emphasis on different product categories.