Benjamin Selling papers, 1869-1933

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Selling, Benjamin, 1852-1931
Title
Benjamin Selling papers
Dates
1869-1933 (inclusive)
Quantity
2 cubic feet, (1 document case, 2 flat boxes)
Collection Number
Mss 66
Summary
Papers of a Jewish American clothier and philanthropist of Portland, Oregon. Includes personal account books, scrapbooks containing correspondence and clippings, and some materials relating to Selling's business activities. Most materials relate to Selling's unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate in 1912 and to his charitable activities.
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

Benjamin Selling, the son of German Jewish parents, was born in San Francisco, California, on April 29, 1852. After migrating with his family to Portland, Oregon, in 1862, Selling attended Portland Academy and worked for a number of years in his father's general merchandise store. He later established several successful businesses of his own, including Akin, Selling & Company (a wholesale boot and shoe business), Moyer Clothing Company, and Ben Selling, Clothier. Selling went on to serve in the state Legislature and was the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in 1912. He was also known for extensive philanthropic work.

Source: "Ben Selling (1852-1931)," by Elaine S. Friedman, Oregon Encyclopedia, https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/selling_ben_1852_1931_/

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Papers of Benjamin Selling include three letterpress copybooks (1883-1887), which contain copies of Selling's business correspondence; two account books (1891-1892, 1900-1910); a scrapbook (1881-1925) containing letters that concern Selling's candidacy for U.S. Senate in 1912, a war relief campaign, and his Jewish Relief Committee work and other philanthropic activities; a scrapbook of newspaper clippings pertaining to Selling's U.S. Senate campaign; personal and political letters, including a pledge of support for Selling from members of the state Legislature for the position of House speaker, and a subscription list for support of the American Committee for Armenian and Syrian relief; and a 1912 certificate of nomination as a candidate for U.S. Senate.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

Benjamin Selling papers, Mss 66, 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 two series:

  • Series 1: General materials, 1869-1933
  • Series 2: Letterpress copybooks, 1883-1887

Acquisition Information

One account book (1900-1910), nomination certificate, and one scrapbook, gifts of Mrs. Laurence Selling in June 1959 (Lib. Acc. 8054), November 1959 (Lib. Acc. 8270), and April 1971 (Lib. Acc. 11894).

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series 1:  General materials, 1869-1933Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1
Correspondence and miscellany
1869-1933
1 2
Personal account book
1891-1892
1 3
Personal memorandum (accounts)
1900-1910
1 4
Scrapbook containing correspondence, clippings, and memorabilia
1881-1925
3 1
Scrapbook containing news clippings on senatorial campaign
1912

Series 2:  Letterpress copybooks, 1883-1887Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
2 1
Letterpress copybook
1883 January-1884 September 16
2 2
Letterpress copybook
1884 September-1886
2 3
Letterpress copybook
1886 March-1887 February

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Charities--Oregon
  • Clothing trade--Oregon--Portland
  • Jewish businesspeople--Oregon--Portland
  • Jewish businesspeople--Oregon--Portland--Correspondence
  • Jewish philanthropists--Oregon--Portland
  • Jews in public life--Oregon
  • Jews--Oregon--Charities
  • Jews--Oregon--Portland
  • Political candidates--Oregon

Personal Names

  • Selling, Benjamin, 1852-1931

Corporate Names

  • Akin, Selling & Company
  • Ben Selling, Clothier (Firm)
  • Moyer Clothing Company
  • Republican Party (Or.)

Geographical Names

  • Oregon--Politics and government--1859-1950

Form or Genre Terms

  • correspondence
  • letterpress copybooks
  • scrapbooks