Schwabacher Family photograph collection

Schwabacher Family photograph collection, approximately 1899-1950

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Schwabacher family
Title: Schwabacher Family photograph collection
Dates: approximately 1899-1950 (inclusive)
18991950
Quantity: 21 photographic prints (5 folders) ; various sizes
Collection Number: PH1083
Summary: Photographs of Schwabacher Bros. & Company and executive Nathan Eckstein and family
Repository: University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions: Entire collection can be viewed on the Libraries' Digital Collections website. Permission of Visual Materials Curator is required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.
Additional Reference Guides
Languages: English

Historical BackgroundReturn to Top

Schwabacher Bros. & Company was founded in 1860 in Walla Walla by three Bavarian Jewish immigrants, Louis Schwabacher, Abraham Schwabacher, and Sigmund Schwabacher. In 1869, the brothers opened a wholesale mercantile store in Seattle which was headed by Bailey Gatzert, who later served as mayor of Seattle in 1893. The business grew to encompass dry goods, clothing, groceries, hardware, and much more, and supplied prospectors on their way to the Yukon during the Klondike gold rush.

Nathan Eckstein (1873-1945) was the German-born son-in-law of Abraham Schwabacher. Eckstein became vice president and later chief executive officer of the company, also serving on the Seattle School Board (1913-1920), Washington State Tax Commission, the City Charter Commission, and many other civic organizations. He received the 1926 "Seattle's Most Useful Citizen" award.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The photographs document the Schwabacher Hardware Company and staff including executive Nathan Eckstein and his wife Mina Schwabacher Eckstein and daughter Joanna.

Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top

Forms part of the Washington State Jewish Archives.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Custodial History

Collected by the Washington State Jewish Historical Society.

Acquisition Information

Donor: Emilie Schwabacher, June 1982, June 1991

Processing Note

Processed by Jack Falk; processing completed in 2012.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Schwabacher Hardware CompanyReturn to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Folder	item
1	1	Sigmund Schwabacher (1841-1917), founding partner of Schwabacher Bros. and Company	circa 1900-1915
box-folder:oversize
OS6	2	Leo Schwabacher (1871-1930), son of Sigmund Schwabacher	undated
box:oversize
JD1	3	Men at banquet Leo Schwabacher sitting in front on left; Nathan Eckstein on same side, fifth from front	December 1899
Folder
1	4	Schwabacher Hardware Company baseball team in uniforms Copy print in PH Coll 650 Ladd, Bob.2	1909
box:oversize
JH1	5	Panorama photograph of the first annual picnic of the Schwabacher Hardware Co. employees Kneisle, J. J., Seattle (photographer)	May 14, 1921
Folder
1	6	Schwabacher sales force meeting group picture on sales floor with Mayflower refrigerators and other products Webster & Stevens, Seattle (photographer) Morton Schwabacher in front row, third from left	circa 1932
1	7	Schwabacher sales force banquet Mulholland Studios, Seattle (photographer) Morton Schwabacher standing at head of table	circa 1930s
1	8	Copy photo of Pioneer Square showing totem pole with Schwabacher store at right and Northern Pacific Railway ticket office at left Wilse, A.B., Seattle (photographer)	circa 1900
1	9	Schwabacher Hardware Company building with ground and buildings covered in snow	circa 1900-1910
1	10	Pacific Marine Schwabacher building exterior after fire at First Ave. and Jackson St., Seattle, showing front door frames bearing the company name on the lintel	circa 1903
box-folder:oversize
OS6	11	Pacific Marine Schwabacher building at First Ave. and Jackson St., Seattle, standing vacant	circa 1900-1910
box:oversize
JD1	12	Ink drawing of Pacific Marine Schwabacher building	undated
box-folder:oversize
OS6	13	Exterior of State Building at corner of S. Main St. and Occidental Ave. S., Seattle Mulholland Studios, Seattle (photographer) Built 1890-91 as Schwabacher Hardware wholesale/warehouse facility	circa 1950

Nathan Eckstein and familyReturn to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Folder	item
2	14	Wedding portrait of Nathan and Mina (Schwabacher) Eckstein	1902
2	15	Nathan Eckstein at his desk with several bouquets of flowers Webster & Stevens, Seattle (photographer)	circa 1917-1921
2	16	Nathan Eckstein at his desk	circa 1920s-1930s
2	17	Mina (Schwabacher) Eckstein Field, Seattle (photographer)	1917
2	18	Group of people next to airplane, including Mayor Bertha Landes, Congressman Miller, William Boeing, and Nathan Eckstein Asahel Curtis (51423) (photographer) Written on verso: Opening air-plane service Service - Portland. Wm. Boeing; N. Eckstein; Mayor, Mrs. Landes; Congressman Miller; Al. Lundin	1927
2	19	Joanna Eckstein (daughter of Nathan and Mina Eckstein) with dog, Jellybean	circa 1930s
2	20	Nathan and Mina (Schwabacher) Eckstein	circa 1930s
2	21	Home of Nathan and Mina Eckstein Written on verso: 1000? 14th Avenue East, Seattle, Washington.	undated

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