STEIN, ADLER CO.; STEIN-BLOCH CO. PAPERS Department of Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Rush Rhees Library Second Floor, Room 225 Rochester, NY 14627-0055 rarebks@library.rochester.edu URL: http://www.library.rochester.edu/rbscp
Table of Contents Summary Information... 3 Biographical/Historical note... 3 Scope and Contents note... 4 Administrative Information... 4 Collection Inventory... 5 Box 1... 5 - Page 2 -
Summary Information Repository: Creator: Creator: Title: ID: D.219 Department of Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Stein, Adler & Co. Stein-Bloch & Co. Date [inclusive]: 1869-1882; 1883-1928 Physical Description: Language of the Material: Preferred Citation STEIN, ADLER CO.; STEIN-BLOCH CO. PAPERS 1 box English (Name of item, if applicable), STEIN, ADLER & CO.; STEIN-BLOCH & CO. PAPERS, 1869-1882; 1883-1928. Dept. of Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester. Biographical/Historical note Stein-Bloch & Co. was one of the first Rochester manufacturers to nationally advertise a line of suits and coats. It became a leader in the manufacture of high priced, high quality clothing. So skilled were the workers and craftsmen at Stein-Bloch that the company was once visited by President Andrew Johnson, formerly a tailor himself, who after his visit always wore clothes bearing the "Stein" name. Nathan Stein and Leopold Bloch remained partners for the rest of their careers, and passed away within months of each other in 1908. Stein-Bloch & Co. remained in business for forty-five years until merging with Fashion Park Clothes, Inc. in 1928. So reputable was the label of "Stein-Bloch" that Fashion Park continued to manufacture clothing bearing the quality name. This small collection is housed in one box containing seven folders. Most of the materials consist of miscellaneous business documents and advertising ephemera. Of particular interest in Folder 4 is the original partnership agreement of 1879 between Nathan Stein, Levi Adler, Abram Adler, and Leopold Bloch. - Page 3-
Scope and Contents note The 1850s and 1860s were important decades for the growth of the men's clothing industry of Rochester, NY. Business was booming for retail stores and wholesale clothing manufacturers alike, helping to create a stabilizing economic force in Rochester's early history. By the 1860s, clothing workers formed the largest industrial group in Rochester. The men's clothing industry would soon become the largest employer with the largest payroll in Rochester. An important contributor to that payroll was the firm of Stein, Adler & Co., later known as Stein-Bloch & Co. Nathan Stein (1828-1908), a merchant tailor and retailer from Geneva, NY, joined Levi Adler (1834-1907) to create the firm of Stein & Adler in 1869. The company's main product was a line of boys' and youths' clothing. As business quickly grew, the manufacture of men's clothing was added. Stein & Adler was the first manufacturer in Rochester to establish its own shops for the sewing of clothes, rather than using contract shops and private homes. The company was also credited as the first in Rochester to use the Genesee River falls as a power source for its sewing machines, which helped to speed production and proved to be a major step toward true factory operation. In 1879, Levi's brother Abram (b.1846) and Leopold Bloch (1852-1908) joined the company, and the name changed to Stein, Adler & Co. This new partnership was dissolved, however, in 1882. At that time, the Adlers went on to create a family business with their remaining brothers, and Nathan Stein and Leopold Bloch formed their own partnership, creating Stein-Bloch & Co. in 1883. Nathan Stein's three sons, Louis, Abram, and Simon were also active in the firm, which in 1890 was one of the first Rochester clothing firms to incorporate. Administrative Information Publication Statement Department of Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Rush Rhees Library Second Floor, Room 225 Rochester, NY 14627-0055 rarebks@library.rochester.edu URL: http://www.library.rochester.edu/rbscp - Page 4-
Restrictions on Access The STEIN, ADLER & CO.; STEIN-BLOCH & CO. PAPERS is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books Special Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification. Restrictions on Use In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions. Collection Inventory Box 1 Stein, Adler Co. Folder 1. Company seal, n.d. (photocopy). 2. Cancelled checks, 1869 and 1874 (photocopies). 3. Business letter, 1876 (photocopy). Includes 1958 letter from National Woven Label Co., Inc. to Michaels-Stern Co., Inc. describing 1876 letter. 4. Partnership agreement, 1879. 5. Telegraph Key book, 1882. Stein-Bloch Co. 6. Fashion plates, n.d. [c.1901-1910]. 7. Gift certificate, n.d. - Page 5-
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