Subject: Pittsburgh (Pa.)--History

Autograph letter signed by Solomon Mayer written in German to L. Mayer, likely in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on December 4, 1851. The letter is commercial in nature. It was written in Savannah, Georgia.

Billhead of Louis I. Aaron & Co., malsters and dealers in barley, rye, hops, and brewers' supplies, located at 901 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dated November 5, 1892. The principals of the company were Louis I. Aaron, Aaron Cohen, and Marcus Aaron. The City Malt House, associated with the company, was located at 12-20 Vinial Street, Allegheny, Pennsylvania. This billhead is accompanied by biographical information about Louis I. Aaron (1840-1919), including his early career, business ventures, and philanthropic activities. He immigrated to the United States in 1857 and established himself in the malt and brewers' supply business before later investing in the Homer Laughlin China Company. He was also noted as a major contributor to Jewish causes.

Billhead from M. Oppenheimer & Co. (successors to Kaufman, Oppenheimer & Co.), located at 233 Liberty Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dated June 10, 1882. This billhead is part of the Kaufman, Oppenheimer & Co. archive, which documents the history of this Jewish manufacturing and wholesale clothing firm from the late 1870s to 1902.

Billhead of M. Oppenheimer & Co., dated October 23, 1899. The billhead features a lithograph of the nine-story Oppenheimer building located at 233 Liberty Street and 811 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It lists M. Oppenheimer, James K. Jacobs, and A. M. Oppenheimer as principals. 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 in 1851 as Klee & Kaufman 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 1879, Simon Kaufman withdrew, resulting in the firm's name change to M. Oppenheimer & Co. The firm had substantial revenue (approximately $8,000,000 in 2016 dollars) and employed 150 people in its manufacturing operations. Both Moses Oppenheimer and Simon Kaufman were active members of the Pittsburgh Jewish community and founding members of Rodeph Shalom Synagogue.

Billhead of M. Oppenheimer & Co., dated October 3, 1899. The billhead features a lithograph of the nine-story Oppenheimer building located at 811 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The principals listed are M. Oppenheimer, James K. Jacobs, and A. M. Oppenheimer. 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 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. Moses Oppenheimer and Simon Kaufman were founding members of Rodeph Shalom Synagogue in Pittsburgh, founded in 1856.

Broadside announcing that James K. Jacobs and Laurence W. Frank are now principals in the firm M. Oppenheimer & Co., but the name will not change. Located at 811 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The broadside is dated December 1, 1892, and is part of the Kaufman, Oppenheimer & Co. Archive, which documents the history of this influential Jewish manufacturing and wholesale clothing firm from the late 1870s through 1902. The archive includes billheads, receipts, and broadsides. Founded as Klee & Kaufman in 1851 by Simon Kaufman and his father-in-law Jacob Klee in Allegheny City, the firm moved to Pittsburgh in 1860. After Jacob Klee withdrew in 1865, Moses Oppenheimer joined as a partner. By late 1879, Simon Kaufman withdrew, and the firm became M. Oppenheimer & Co. Both Kaufman and Oppenheimer were active in Pittsburgh's Jewish community and founding members of Rodeph Shalom Synagogue.

One-page letter written by A. Fromenfeld to Isaac Leeser on April 20, 1862, from Pittsburgh. The letter includes an advertisement inserted by Fromenfeld. The back of the letter contains handwriting that appears to be Leeser's, listing subscribers/agents with the number of copies, including J. Seligman in San Francisco. A note in Yiddish is also present.

A letter written by Josiah Cohen to Isaac Leeser on January 6, 1866, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Cohen requests the publication of a notice. The letter also includes historical information about the Jewish community in Pittsburgh, detailing the establishment of Rodef Shalom Congregation, its early challenges, and the founding of the more conservative Etz Hayim congregation. It notes the arrival of Cohen in 1861 to lead the religious school and preach in English, his later success as a judge, and his distinction as the first Jew admitted to the Pittsburgh bar. The letter describes the early struggles of the Jewish community in Pittsburgh, including the destruction of records in the 1845 fire and the gradual growth of the community with the arrival of the railroad.

A letter written by William Frank of the Frankstown Glass Works in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the Pleasant Valley Wine Company in Hammondsport, New York, on June 20, 1868. The letter concerns enclosed invoices and a bill of lading.

Postcard depicting 321 Euclid Avenue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The front of the postcard shows an image, and the back features a horseshoe design. The date is inferred to be circa 1930 based on the collection's overall dating and the description.