Warshal's Sporting Goods Records

Warshal's Sporting Goods Records, 1918-1995

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Warshal's Sporting Goods (Seattle, Wash.)
Title: Warshal's Sporting Goods Records
Dates: 1918-1995 (inclusive)
19181995
Quantity: 2 boxes, ( 1 linear foot)
Collection Number: 2001.58
Summary: Photographs, advertising, and business records from Warshal's Sporting Goods, a longtime retailer in downtown Seattle.
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.
Sponsor: Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Adolph and William Warshal opened a pawn shop in downtown Seattle in 1922. In 1936 it moved to First and Madison and expanded into sporting goods, which became its primary business during the decades it remained at that location. Two branch stores were opened in the 1950s and 1960s, one in Ravenna and one near Northgate, but both eventually closed. However, the main store continued to thrive and became a downtown landmark with a loyal customer base buying hunting and fishing gear, cameras, and camping and sports equipment. Many employees worked at the store for decades.

Adolph's son Jerry began working at the store at the age of 12 and eventually took over the business. In 1997 he sold the building to developers who planned to build a hotel and condominiums on the site, and the store closed in 2001.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection consists of business records from Warshal's Sporting Goods, including advertising, account books, forms, and an employee manual. Photographs are mainly of gunsmiths at work but also include store interiors and portraits. A large portion of the collection is made up of letters from gun purchasers, apparently saved for law enforcement purposes.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

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

Warshal's Sporting Goods Records, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Location of Collection

14a.4.9

Location of Collection

1a.3.14 (oversize photo)

Acquisition Information

The collection was donated by Jerry and Ardee Warshal in 2001.

Separated Materials

These materials are part of a donation that also included a number of artifacts. These artifacts are cataloged and stored separately by MOHAI's Collections Department.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box	Folder
1	1	2001.58.9.1-10: Photographs	undated
1	2	2001.58.9.11-16: Photographs	undated
1	3	2001.58.9.17-26: Photographs	undated
box:oversize
os		2001.58.9.27: Oversize photograph of store	undated
Box	Folder
1	4	2001.58.10.1-11: Advertising materials	1941-1995
1	5	2001.58.10.12-14: Advertising materials and news articles	1935-1995
1	6	2001.58.11.1-5: William Taylor wartime service and immigration documents	1918-1921
1	7	2001.58.12.1-4: Forms and shipping bag	undated
1	8	2001.58.13.1: Employee manual	circa 1995
1	9	2001.58.14.1: Account journal	January 1944
1	10	2001.58.14.2: Account journal	November 1944
1	11	2001.58.14.3: Account journal	December 1944
1	12	2001.58.15: Receipts and permits-Sheriff's Office	1934
1	13	2001.58.15: Permit letters-E	1931-1935
1	14	2001.58.15: Permit letters-F	1934-1935
1	15	2001.58.15: Permit letters-H	1932-1935
1	16	2001.58.15: Permit letters-L	1935
1	17	2001.58.15: Permit letters-N	1933-1935
1	18	2001.58.15: Permit letters-O	1932-1935
1	19	2001.58.15: Permit letters-P	1933-1935
1	20	2001.58.15: Permit letters-R	1932-1935
1	21	2001.58.15: Permit letters-T	1934-1936
1	22	2001.58.15: Permit letters-U	1933-1935
1	23	2001.58.15: Permit letters-V	1934-1935
2	1	2001.58.15: Permit letters-U-V	1936
2	2	2001.58.15: Permit letters-W	1936
2	3	2001.58.15: Permit letters-A	1934-1936
2	4	2001.58.15: Permit letters-A	1936
2	5	2001.58.15: Permit letters-B	1936
2	6	2001.58.15: Permit letters-B	1934-1935
2	7	2001.58.15: Permit letters-C	1935
2	8	2001.58.15: Permit letters-D	1934-1935
2	9	2001.58.15: Permit letters-G	1933-1935
2	10	2001.58.15: Permit letters-J	1934-1935
2	11	2001.58.15: Permit letters-K	1935
2	12	2001.58.15: Permit letters-M	1934-1935
2	13	2001.58.15: Permit letters-W	1934-1935
2	14	2001.58.15: Permit letters-C	1936
2	15	2001.58.15: Permit letters-D-E	1936
2	16	2001.58.15: Permit letters-F	1936
2	17	2001.58.15: Permit letters-G	1936
2	18	2001.58.15: Permit letters-H	1936
2	19	2001.58.15: Permit letters-I-J	1936
2	20	2001.58.15: Permit letters-K	1936
2	21	2001.58.15: Permit letters-L	1936
2	22	2001.58.15: Permit letters-M	1936
2	23	2001.58.15: Permit letters-N	1936
2	24	2001.58.15: Permit letters-P	1936
2	25	2001.58.15: Permit letters-R	1936
2	26	2001.58.15: Permit letters-S	1936
2	27	2001.58.15: Permit letters-S	1936
2	28	2001.58.15: Permit letters-A-E	1937
2	29	2001.58.15: Permit letters-F-H	1937
2	30	2001.58.15: Permit letters-M-R	1937
2	31	2001.58.15: Permit letters-S-W	1937

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