Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Jantzen, Inc. publications, photographs, and ephemera, 1928-1989
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Jantzen, Inc.
- Title
- Jantzen, Inc. publications, photographs, and ephemera
- Dates
- 1928-1989 (inclusive)19281989
- Quantity
- 0.36 cubic feet, (1 letter document case)
- Collection Number
- Coll 864
- Summary
- Catalogs, souvenir book, and newsletter materials from Jantzen, Inc. (also known as Jantzen Knitting Mills), as well as photographs relating to company picnics and reunions. Jantzen was founded as the Portland Knitting Company in 1910 in Portland, Oregon, and changed its name to Jantzen Knitting Mills in 1918. The firm became a nationally known swimwear manufacturer in the 1920s and 1930s. In 1954, it changed its name to Jantzen, Inc.
- 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
Historical NoteReturn to Top
In 1910, John A. Zehntbauer, Carl C. Jantzen, and C. R. Zehntbauer founded the Portland Knitting Company in Portland, Oregon. The firm soon began to specialize in producing swimwear; in 1918 it changed its name to Jantzen Knitting Mills. Jantzen published its first national advertisements in 1921, and by the 1930s was photographing film stars such as Ginger Rogers and Johnny Weissmuller wearing its products. The firm was also well-known for its "diving girl" logo. The company renamed itself Jantzen, Inc. in 1954. Jantzen was purchased by Blue Bell in 1980; in 2002, Perry Ellis International purchased the Jantzen brand.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The collection consists of catalogs, a 1960 souvenir book, newsletter materials, and photographs relating to Jantzen Knitting Mills and to company picnics and employee reunions. Newsletter materials include clippings and pages from the company newsletter, "Intraviews," as well as a complete issue from 1971. Among the photographs are three rolled panoramic group photographs of company picnics from 1928, 1935, and 1954.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Preferred Citation
Jantzen Knitting Mills photographs, publications, and ephemera, Coll 864, 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
Acquisition Information
Gift of Alan Miller, October 2019 (RL2019-136).
Preservation Note
Panoramic photographs require assistance to view. Contact library staff.
Related Materials
Jantzen Knitting Mills records, Lib. Acc. 24787, Lib. Acc. 24840, Lib. Acc. 25402, Lib. Acc. 26752, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 1 | 1 | Swimsuit catalogs | 1933; 1935 |
| 1 | 2 | Golden anniversary souvenir book | 1960 |
| 1 | 3 | Pages and clippings from newsletter "Intraviews" | circa 1950-1970 |
| 1 | 4 | Issue of "Intraviews" and related envelope | 1971 February-March |
| 1 | 5 | Newspaper clippings about Jantzen logo | 1979; 1983 |
| 1 | 6 | Photographs and clipping about employee reunions | 1988-1989; undated |
| 1 | 7 | Panoramic photographs of company picnics | 1928; 1935; 1954 |
