Emporium Company Records, 1895-1980s, bulk 1896-1974

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Summary

Creators:
Emporium Department Store
Abstract:
The Emporium was a San Francisco department store that operated from 1872-1995. Originally opened as the "Davis Brothers Golden Rule Bazaar" in 1872 it was renamed the Emporium in 1896 when it merged with its namesake. The company was eventually acquired by Federated Department Stores in 1995.
Extent:
2 cartons, 1 flat box, 1 pamphlet box, 3 scrapbooks/wrapped news clips (5.25 Cubic Feet)
Language:
Collection materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], The Emporium Company Records (SFH 555), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection constists of a history of the company, internal newsletters (1916-1974), news clips and scrapbooks, photographs of exhibits and early store locations, pamphlets, ephemera, correspondence and two corbels from the Market Street flagship location.

Biographical / historical:

The Emporium was a San Francisco department store that operated from 1872-1995. Originally opened as the "Davis Brothers Golden Rule Bazaar" in 1872 it was renamed the Emporium in 1896 when it merged with its namesake. The store survived the 1906 earthquake after loosing its inventory in the fire but the shell of the building survived. By 1908 new construction was complete and the retailer reopened on Market Street in its flagship store. The company purchased the H.C. Capwell Company of Oakland in 1927 taking the name Emporium Capwell Company and began expanding to several bay area cities. By 1980 Emporium dropped the name Capwell from its company name and was eventually acquired by Federated Department Stores in 1995. In 2006 the former flagship store on Market Street reopened as the Westfield San Francisco Center.

Processing information:

During processing, the collection was re-foldered and re-housed in acid-free folders and boxes. Some staples remain.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in 5 series: Series 1: Business Records, Series 2: Internal Newsletters, Series 3: Newsclips / Scrapbooks, Series 4: Photographs, Series 5: Artifacts

Physical location:
Open for research. The collection is offsite and advance notice is required for retrieval. Material must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research and available for use during San Francisco History Center hours. Photographs are available during Photo Desk hours. This collection must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], The Emporium Company Records (SFH 555), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Location of this collection:
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102, US
Contact:
(415) 557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
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