Finding aid to the Emporium Company Records 1895-1980s SFH 555

Finding aid compiled by Katherine Ets-Hokin
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
2019
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
sfhistory@sfpl.org


Title: Emporium Company Records
Date (inclusive): 1895-1980s
Date (bulk): 1896-1974
Identifier/Call Number: SFH 555
Creator: Emporium Department Store
Physical Description: 2 cartons, 1 flat box, 1 pamphlet box, 3 scrapbooks/wrapped news clips (5.25 Cubic Feet)
Contributing Institution: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
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.
Physical Location: The collection is stored onsite.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is available for use during San Francisco Histoy Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk hours. Collections that are stored offsite should be requested 48 hours in advance.

Publication Rights

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.

Conservation Note

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

Separated Materials

Polariod camera removed to the Historical Photograph Collection.

Administrative History

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.

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.

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

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Department stores -- California -- San Francisco -- History
Department stores -- California -- History.
Emporium Department Store -- San Francisco, CA -- History

 

Series 1 Business Records

box 2, folder 1

History of Emporium Capwell 1929

box 2, folder 2-4

Ephemera 1909-1948

box 2, folder 5

Letterhead

box 2, folder 6

Guestbook 1995

box 2, folder 26-27

Correspondence 1896-1897

 

Series 2 Internal Newsletters

box 1, folder 1-7

Dome Echoes

 

July 1916-March 1933 (br)

 

1925

 

1926

 

1927

 

1929

box 1, folder 8-15

Dome Broadcaster

 

November 1937-February 1941

 

November 1937-December 1941

 

1942-1944

 

1947

 

1948

 

1949

 

1950

box 2, folder 7-25

The Big E Life

 

1953

 

1954

 

1955

 

1956

 

1957

 

1958

 

1959

 

1960

 

1962

 

December, 1965

 

May-June, 1966

 

January 1968

 

1969

 

1970

 

1971

 

1972

 

1973

 

1974

 

Series 3 News Clips / Scrapbooks

 

Emporium Advertisement Book 1912

 

Emporium Advertisement Book 1920s

 

News Clips Mounted (wrapped) 1895-1952

 

Photographs Series 4

Scope and Contents

Photographs include an early exterior view of the Emporium with horse and buggy. Interior views show empty floor rooms with one image including Bob Cain, Gus Skoufos, Carmen Dagwiero and Joe Lindemann. Portraits include unidentifed people along with Fred Owles, Ed Mulligan, and Ardern Batchelder. World War II images include depictions of exhibits.
box 3, folder 1

Aerial Views 1948

box 3, folder 2

Earthquakes 1906

oversize-folder 1

Exhibit Windows Golden Rule Bazaar

Physical Location: This file is located M43 flat file drawer 2.
box 3, folder 3

Exhibits 1931-1933

box 3, folder 4

Exteriors

oversize-folder 1

Golden Rule Bazar Advertisement [Reproduction]

Physical Location: This file is located M43 flat file drawer 2.
oversize-folder 1

Interior of the Emporium 1920

Physical Location: This file is located M43 flat file drawer 2.
box 3, folder 5

Interiors 1930s-1960s

box 3, folder 6

Portraits 1935, 1980s

box 3, folder 7

Wars. World War II 1940s

 

Series 5 Artifacts

box 4

2 Corbels