Harry E. Bell and Faye Bell papers

Harry E. Bell and Faye Bell papers, circa 1900-2010

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Bell, Harry E., 1882-1964
Title: Harry E. Bell and Faye Bell papers
Dates: circa 1900-2010 (inclusive)
19002010

1913-1967 (bulk)
19131967
Quantity: 9.65 cubic feet, (4 record cartons; 2 legal document cases; 1 card file box (12 x 6 x 4); 2 card file boxes (12 x 8 x 5); 1 card file box (12 x 9 x 6); 6 flat boxes (13 x 16); 1 flat box (19 x 25); 1 map folder)
Collection Number: Coll 817
Summary: Papers and ephemera of spouses Harry E. Bell and Faye Bell, who both worked in the apparel retail business in the early and mid-20th century. The collection includes advertising materials, publications and ephemera of retail manufacturers whose products the Bells sold; papers and designs documenting Hirsch-Weis's White Stag line of clothes and its work with the Adolph L. Bloch Advertising Agency; and papers and photographs of other individuals whose connection with the Bells, if any, is unknown.
Repository: Oregon Historical Society Research Library
1200 SW Park Avenue
Portland, OR
97205
Telephone: 503-306-5240
Fax: 503-219-2040
libreference@ohs.org
Access Restrictions: Collection is open for research.
Languages: English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Harry E. Bell was born in 1882 in Nebraska. Faye Bell, born Goldie Faye Hines, was born in 1900 in Missouri. The two married in December 1925, and both worked as clothing retailers and representatives for apparel manufacturers; Harry was also the proprietor of Bell's Men's Wear in Bellingham, Washington. The couple resided in Portland, Oregon, from the 1940s onward, first at the Prince of Wales Hotel on Alder Street, and then at a residence on NE 37th Avenue. They frequently traveled for work. Harry was a member of the Masonic Lodge and Elks Club in Bellingham. Harry E. Bell and Faye Bell died in Portland in 1964 and 1987, respectively.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

The Hansen Glove Corporation was a glove manufacturer based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was incorporated in 1901 by O. C. Hansen under the name O. C. Hansen Mfg. Co. The name was changed to Hansen Glove Corporation in 1930. The company is no longer in business as of 2019.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

The history of the White Stag company begins in 1931, when Harold S. Hirsch began to manufacture ski apparel at his family's firm, the Hirsch-Weis Manufacturing Company. The name "White Stag" was a literal translation of the names Weis and Hirsch. The line expanded to other types of sportswear, and in 1956 Hirsch-Weis changed its name to White Stag. The firm was purchased by the clothing firm Warner Brothers Company (later Warnaco) in 1966.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

The Adolph L. Bloch Advertising Agency was founded in 1922 by Adolph L. Bloch of Portland, Oregon.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The bulk of the collection consists of the personal papers, business records, and ephemera of clothing retailers Harry E. Bell and Faye Bell, and of advertising and publicity materials for apparel firms whose wares the Bells sold, particularly the Hansen Glove Corporation. The Bells' business papers include correspondence and account books. Personal papers include Harry E. Bell's diaries, which primarily note where he was on a given day; photographs; hotel stationery collected by the Bells; and self-improvement publications owned by Harry E. Bell. The collection also includes papers and advertising materials relating to the Hirsch-Weis Manufacturing Company's White Stag Line, and its work with the Adolph L. Bloch Advertising Agency. It is unclear whether the Bells sold White Stag items or were otherwise connected with either Hirsch-Weis or the Bloch agency. The collection also includes papers and photographs concerning other individuals and non-apparel firms; their connection to the Bells, if any, is unknown.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

Harry E. Bell and Faye Bell papers, Coll 817, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Restrictions on Use

The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in three series: Series 1. Apparel business papers; Series 2. Bell family papers; Series 3. Papers of other individuals and non-apparel firms.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Jeff Stookey and Ken Baker, September 2010 (Lib. Acc. 27158).

Related Materials

Hirsch-Weis Company records, Mss 1436, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Separated Materials

E. O. McCormick photograph album is designated Coll 186, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Artifacts were separated to Museum Collections, Oregon Historical Society.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series 1: Apparel business papers, 1925-1967, (bulk 1913-1964) Return to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
		Subseries 1: Harry E. and Faye Bell business papers	1925-1960
Box	Folder
1	1	Faye Bell - Bulletins, receipts, and quotas	1951
1	2	Faye Bell - publicity materials and account book	circa 1925-1954
15	1	Blueprints for Bell's Men's Wear	1927
1	3-5	Stationery, publicity materials, and receipt book for Bell's Men's Wear, Bellingham, Washington	1927-1930; undated
1	6	Bell's Men's Wear - stickers for mailings	undated
1	7	Calendars produced for and distributed by the Bells	1948-1955
1	8	Correspondence	1921-1934; 1943; undated
8		Correspondence	1939-1960
	Folder
1	9	Correspondence - telegraph orders	1925-1951
9	4	Sign designs for Bell's Men's Wear	circa 1925-1930
Folder
Oversize 1		Counter signs advertising Harry E. Bell's wares at trade shows	circa 1940
Box	Folder
1	10	Directories and inventories	undated
8		Financial records - account books	1920-1933
	Folder
1	11	Financial records - notebook and ledger	1933-1940
1	12	Financial notes and receipts	1927-1935
9	1-3	Financial records - letterpress copy order books	1951-1959
1	13	Financial records - letterpress copy order book	1956-1957
		Subseries 1: Hansen Glove Corporation advertising and catalogs	1935-1967
Box	Folder
1	14-15	Advertising	1939; undated
15	3	Advertising and fabric color samples	undated
15	4	Advertising kit	1937
10		Advertising kits	1941-1950
11		Advertising kits, including fabric and glove samples	1951-1953; undated
	Folder
1	16	Advertising packet sent to the Bells	1949
1	17-22	Catalogs and fabric color samples	1935-1952
2	1-4	Catalogs and fabric color samples	1953-1967
2	5	Catalogs and fabric color samples	undated
2	6	Convention sales packet	1951
15	5	Counter cards	undated
2	7	Newspaper advertisements	1941-1953
2	8	Photographs	circa 1939-1950
2	9	Issues of publication, "Hansen Hummer"	1944-1948
2	10	Stationery, ephemera, and publications	undated
		Subseries 2: White Stag and Adolph L. Bloch Advertising Agency materials	1934-1945
Box	Folder
2	11	Correspondence addressed to Hirsch-Weis	1934-1935
2	12	White Stag advertising	circa 1935-1945
12	1	White Stag advertising	circa 1935-1945
12	2	White Stag advertising designs	circa 1935-1945
15	6	White Stag advertising plates	circa 1940
12	3	White Stag advertising scrapbook	1940-1941
12	4	Scrapbook pages with White Stag advertisements	circa 1940
2	13	White Stag advertising publications	1939; undated
12	5	White Stag advertising scrapbook	circa 1940
13	1	White Stag - Sketches for advertisement in "Vogue"	1937
2	14	Correspondence of Adolph L. Bloch Advertising Agency regarding Hirsch-Weis and White Stag	1934-1935
2	15	Adolph L. Bloch Advertising Agency and Hirsch-Weis - Inventories and notes	1939; undated
13	2	Covers of outdoor magazines, possibly relating to Adolph L. Bloch Advertising Agency	1938-1940
13	3	Adolph L. Bloch Advertising Agency ephemera: certificate, envelope, and novelty check	undated
		Subseries 3: Samples and advertising for other firms	circa 1926-1960
Box	Folder
2	16	Harms of California catalogs, fabric samples, and stationery sent to Faye Bell	1957-1958; undated
2	17	Promotional photograph albums for Copper Wells & Co.; Hendan Products	undated
15	5	Hendan Shirts counter card	undated
2	18-19	Hendan Sportswear fabric color and pattern sample sheets	circa 1950
2	20-21	Hendan Women's shirt color and pattern sample sheets	circa 1950
13	4	Promotional materials for Iron Clad Hosiery	circa 1926
13	5	National Association of Leather Glove Manufacturers advertising packet	1941
2	22-24	Advertisements and stationery for various firms	circa 1930-1960
3	1-3	Advertisements and stationery for various firms	circa 1930-1960
3	4	Catalogs for various firms	1938-1955; undated
13	6	Fabric samples from various firms	undated
3	5	Glove advertisements, various firms	1949-1952; undated
3	6	Advertising photographs for various firms	undated
13	7	Advertising placards	undated
3	7	Magazine and sign advertisements	undated
14	1	Magazine and sign advertisements	undated
		Subseries 4: Publications and events	1926-1958
Box	Folder
3	8	Dictionaries of textile terms	1946-1948
3	9	Directories for Oregon retailers	1932; 1950
14	2	Fashion and apparel magazines	1939-1958
3	10	Fashion and retailer newsletters	1937-1949
3	11	Publications concerning the glove industry	1927; 1948
3	12	Issues of "Gloves"	1937-1941
3	13	Issues of "The Sample Case"	1947-1948
15	2	Group photograph from 9th Annual Convention of Washington-Idaho Clothiers and Furnishers Association in Tacoma, Washington	1927
3	14	Report on the 9th Annual Convention of Washington-Idaho Clothiers and Furnishers Association in Tacoma, Washington	1927
3	15-18	Trade show programs	1926-1952

Series 2: Bell family papers, circa 1913-2010Return to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
		Subseries 1: Correspondence and diaries	1915-1964
Box	Folder
3	19	Correspondence	1921-1951; undated
8		Diaries of Harry E. Bell	1913-1914
7		Diaries of Harry E. Bell	1915-1948
8		Diaries of Harry E. Bell	1949-1964
		Subseries 2: Travel ephemera	circa 1920-1959
Box	Folder
3	20	Hotel ephemera from sales trips	circa 1920-1950
3	21	Ephemera from business trip	1938
3	22	Hotel ephemera from Chicago, Illinois, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin	1943
3	23-25	Hotel stationery, Oregon	circa 1920-1950
4	1	Hotel stationery, Oregon	circa 1920-1950
4	2-3	Hotel stationery, Washington state	circa 1920-1950
4	4	Hotel stationery, California	circa 1920-1950
4	5	Hotel stationery, Idaho	circa 1920-1950
4	6	Hotel stationery, Montana	circa 1920-1950
4	7	Hotel stationery, Nevada	circa 1920-1950
4	8	Hotel stationery, other states	circa 1920-1950
4	9	Oregon Centennial programs	1959
4	10	Blank postcards depicting Oregon sites	undated
14	3	Restaurant memorabilia	undated
4	11-16	Travel and event ephemera, including tickets, programs, and promotional brochures	circa 1920-1950
		Subseries 3: Self-improvement materials of Harry E. Bell	1904-1940
Box	Folder
4	17	Book on how to run a business, "Personal Management"	1927
5	1-4	Books and brochures on how to run a business	1905-1940
5	5	Handwriting practice book	1904
5	6	La Salle Extension University series "Personal Efficiency"	1917-1922
5	7	La Salle Extension University publications	1916-1921
		Subseries 4: Other personal materials	circa 1925-2010
Box	Folder
6	1	Bellingham, Washington telephone book	1928
6	2	Elks materials of Harry E. Bell	undated
6	3	Issues of Elks newsletter "The Call"	1925-1926
6	4	Personal ephemera, including receipts, automobile mileage book, and ration books	circa 1927-1945
6	5	Personal finances, including automobile payments	1927-1928
6	6	Genealogical information	circa 2010
6	7	Guestbook of Faye Bell (photocopy)	1945-1983
6	8	Photographs of Harry E. Bell and Faye Bell	1929-1946; undated
6	9	Photographs developed at Sandy's of Portland, including negatives	circa 1945
6	10	Photograph of the Prince of Wales Hotel in Portland, Oregon, possibly undergoing remodeling	circa 1950
14	4	Portrait of Harry E. Bell and Faye Bell; photocopy of plaque awarded to Harry E. Bell	circa 1940; 1958 November 28

Series 3: Papers of other individuals and non-apparel firms, circa 1900-2000Return to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box	Folder
6	11	Master's thesis by Carol H. Hoffman, "The Lives and Letters of Edward Fitzgerald"	1961
16		JQL estate slides - Flowers; people; Oregon scenes; house interiors; foreign countries	circa 1955-1965
17		JQL estate slides - Seattle; Canada; Hawaii; San Francisco; Oregon coast	circa 1937-1963
	Folder
6	12	Miscellaneous materials collected by Jeff Stookey and Ken Baker	1934-circa 2000
6	13	Marie Vann papers	1919-1952
6	14	Marie Vann photographs	circa 1920-1940
15	2	Unidentified group photograph	undated
15	2	Photograph of unidentified man	undated
6	15	Photographs of unidentified house interior	circa 1920
14	5	Photographs of business named "Piano Hospital"	circa 1910
6	16	Photograph of Iron Firemen basketball team	circa 1920
6	17	Photographs of unidentified people	circa 1900-1920
14	6	Scrapbook album with shipyard and travel photographs	circa 1944

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Business enterprises--Oregon--Portland
Business enterprises--Washington (State)--Bellingham
Clothing trade--Northwest, Pacific--20th century

Personal Names

Bell, Faye, 1900-1987
Bell, Harry E., 1882-1964

Corporate Names

Hansen Glove Corporation (Milwaukee, Wis.)
White Stag Manufacturing Company

Form or Genre Terms

advertisements
ephemera (general object genre)

Other Creators

Personal Names
- Bell, Faye, 1900-1987 (creator)

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