This accession includes four "log lifters" (two appear to be slate, one might be aluminum, and the third might be magnesium), as well as an empty box of a Spencer tape, and a lumber marker in box #2. Also, the scrapbook was disassembled, placed in folders, and re-boxed to prevent further damage.
This collection contains papers of Gertrude M. (Bodean) and Roy E. Spencer, dated between 1941 and 1975. The collection primarily consists of papers related to Gertrude and Roy's Pullman, WA businesses: Gertrude's Beauty Salon and Spencer Production and Sales Company, including financial statements and advertisements. The collection also contains a large scrapbook maintained by Gertrude Spencer for the Palouse chapter (number 21) of the Washington State Cosmetology Association, documenting events related to National Beauty Salon Week and the organization's public engagements.
Preliminary Inventory:
Box 1: Business papers related to the finances of Gertrude's Beauty Salon, including balance sheets, between 1965 and 1974, and purchase order forms of Spencer Production and Sales Company, between 1950 and 1959.
Box 2: Materials related to Spencer Production and Sales Company, including prepared financial statements (1965), correspondence, sales receipts, banking records, between 1958 to 1967, as well as a prepared financial statement (balance sheet) for both Roy E. and Gertrude M. Spencer in 1967.
Box 3: Correspondence, receipts, a client index, miscellaneous business papers, as well as various artifacts related to Spencer Production and Sales Company, between 1949 and 1962.
Box 4: Scrapbook (1955-1971) documenting the Washington State Cosmetology Association, with a focus on Palouse Chapter 21, including chapter meetings, community events, and charitable services. The scrapbook also covers several years of National Beauty Salon Week and related advertisements.
This collection is open and available for research use.
Donated to the Washington State University Libraries by Richard Old in 2001 (MS.2006.05).
Gertrude M. Bodean Spencer (1909-2002) was born Ephrata, Washington, to Martha (Pruitt) and H. D. Bodean. Roy E. Spencer (1910-1985) was born in Pullman, Washington, to Edward and Lula (Jordan) Spencer. Gertrude and Roy were married in 1940, and remained in Pullman were they each became proprietors of their own businesses. Gertrude was the owner and operator of Gertrude's Beauty Salon and served as an active member of the Washington State Cosmetology Association. Roy owned and operated Spencer Production and Sales Company, which specialized in developing tools used in the timber industry. He invented the Spencer Tape Measure (patented 1962) that is still widely used in logging operations today.
This is an unprocessed collection. Any arrangement reflects either a pre-existing order from the records' creators or previous custodians, or preliminary sorting performed by staff.