View XML QR Code

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)
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.
Return to Top

Historical Note

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.

Return to Top

Content Description

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.

Return to Top

Use of the Collection

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

Return to Top

Administrative Information

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.

Return to Top

Detailed Description of the Collection

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

Finding aid prepared by Julie Kerssen
2006

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

About Creative Commons Licenses in Archives West