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Collection on the Pacific Outfitting Company, 1907-1991

Overview of the Collection

Title
Collection on the Pacific Outfitting Company
Dates
1907-1991 (inclusive)
Quantity
1 box, (.42 cubic feet)
Collection Number
2008.3.18 (accession)
Summary
Materials related to the history of the Pacific Outfitting Company in Seattle, mostly photographs along with some business documents and other items
Repository
Museum of History & Industry, Sophie Frye Bass Library

P.O. Box 80816
Seattle, WA
98108
Telephone: 2063241126 x102
library@mohai.org
Access Restrictions

The collection is open to the public by appointment.

Languages
English.
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Historical Note

The Pacific Outfitting Company was founded in 1907 as a part of a larger chain of stores, including the Eastern and Columbia Outfitting Companies. The corporation was founded in 1887 by Alfred Shemanski, a Polish immigrant. Pacific opened in Seattle in a storefront at 422 Pike Street, and eventually set up stores in Spokane and Bellevue. Pacific started as a clothing store for women, soon expanding to sell men’s apparel as well. The store was managed by Max Lipman from 1912 until his death in 1953. Lipman used World War I to establish the store by gaining a monopoly on credit. Lipman was also able to keep the store open during the Depression, something many of his neighbors were not able to do. Pacific was also one of the first companies in Seattle to organize a union. Besides being a capable manager, Lipman was very heavily involved in the community, and as the community expanded, so did the store. Upon Lipman’s death in 1953, his son Herbert took over management. The store continued to remain in business until 1991, when the corporation was dissolved.

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Content Description

The majority of the collection is made up of photographs. These photos range from the store’s early days to the days of their liquidation sale. Subjects depicted include the store, employees and clothing. Business documents include store license, minutes, by-laws, meetings and stocks. Other materials include promotions for credit and bonds. The transcript of an interview with Herbert Lipman provides background on the family and the history of the store.

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Use of the Collection

Alternative Forms Available

View selections from the collection in digital format by clicking on the camera icons in the inventory below.

Restrictions on Use

The Museum of History & Industry is the owner of the materials in the Sophie Frye Bass Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from MOHAI before any reproduction use. The museum does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.

Preferred Citation

Collection on the Pacific Outfitting Company, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle

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Administrative Information

Location of Collection

15a.2.8

Acquisition Information

Found in collection

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Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

  • Photographs

  • Business documents

    • Description: .20: Registration of Trademark Certificate

      Trademark of ‘One and One Half Sale.’

      Advertisement for sale is attached to certificate.

      Dates: 1975
      Container: Folder 20
      Location: Business documents
    • Description: .21: Stock contract
      Dates: 1909
      Container: Folder 21
      Location: Business documents
    • Description: .22: Pacific Outfitting Co. stock shares
      Dates: 1908-1930
      Container: Folder 22
      Location: Business documents
    • Description: .69: Pacific Outfitting Co. ledger book

      Includes minutes, business licenses, trustees’ meetings, stockholder meetings, by-laws, Articles of Incorporation, Certificate of Administrative Dissolution.

      Dates: 1907-1991
      Container: Folder 36
      Location: Business documents

  • Advertisements

    • Description: .33: Copy of advertisement for Pacific Outfitting Co.

      “The Home of Cheerful Credit”

      Dates: circa 1940-1960
      Container: Folder 29
      Location: Advertisements
    • Description: .63: Advertisement for Pacific Outfitting Co.

      Nitrate negative

      Dates: circa 1910-1940
      Container: Folder 34
      Location: Advertisements
    • Description: .64: Advertisement for Pacific Outfitting Co.

      Nitrate negative

      Dates: circa 1910-1940
      Container: Folder 34
      Location: Advertisements
    • Description: .65: Advertisement for Pacific Outfitting Co.

      Nitrate negative

      Dates: circa 1910-1940
      Container: Folder 34
      Location: Advertisements
    • Description: .66: Advertisement for Pacific Outfitting Co.

      Nitrate negative

      Dates: circa 1910-1940
      Container: Folder 34
      Location: Advertisements

  • Miscellaneous

    • Description: .23: Credit book
      Dates: 1916
      Container: Folder 23
      Location: Miscellaneous
    • Description: .24: King County Deputy Sheriff card for Max Lipman
      Dates: 1950
      Container: Folder 23
      Location: Miscellaneous
    • Description: .25: Discount card for U.S. War bonds during World War II
      Dates: circa early 1940s
      Container: Folder 33
      Location: Miscellaneous
    • Description: .27: Employee identification card for Herbert Lipman
      Dates: circa 1940-1960
      Container: Folder 24
      Location: Miscellaneous
    • Description: .28: Letter from family hypnotherapist

      Inquiring about an unused incentive check he found

      Dates: circa 1940-1960
      Container: Folder 25
      Location: Miscellaneous
    • Description: .29: The Third Avenue Association flyer
      Dates: circa 1940-1960
      Container: Folder 26
      Location: Miscellaneous
    • Description: .30: Price list for official uniforms for Seattle Transit System

      2 copies

      Dates: 1949
      Container: Folder 26
      Location: Miscellaneous
    • Description: .31: The Seattle Eagle, Fraternal Order of Eagles newsletter

      Includes obituary for Max Lipman

      Dates: 1953 May
      Container: Folder 27
      Location: Miscellaneous
    • Description: .32: “Cheerful Credit” interview transcript

      Transcript of an interview with Herbert Lipman about the Lipman family and the history of the Pacific Outfitting Co., conducted by Carla Wulfsberg in 1983.

      Dates: 1983
      Container: Folder 28
      Location: Miscellaneous
    • Description: .35: Patriotic card, "I'm Proud to be an American"

      Pledge of Allegiance on one side and the Star Spangled Banner on the other, with cloth flag attached at top. Compliments of the Pacific Outfitting Company

      Dates: circa 1940-1960
      Container: Folder 31
      Location: Miscellaneous
    • Description: .68: Letter from Oscar Pearson to Herbert Lipman

      Letter includes Pearson's remembrance of Max Lipman and the store during the Great Depression.

      Dates: 1990
      Container: Folder 35
      Location: Miscellaneous

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Clothing stores--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Retail trade--Washington (State)--Seattle

Geographical Names

  • United States--Washington (State)--Seattle

Form or Genre Terms

  • Photographs

Finding aid prepared by Virginia Butler
2010

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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