| Repository: | Western Reserve Historical Society |
| Creator: | Bobbie Brooks, Inc. |
| Title: | Bobbie Brooks, Inc. Records |
| Dates: | 1939-1992 |
| Extent: | 0.20 linear feet (1 container) |
| Abstract: | Bobbie Brooks, Inc. was founded in 1939 as Ritmore Sportswear in Cleveland, Ohio. Its founders were Maurice Saltzman and Max Reiter. In 1953, Saltzman bought out Reiter's share of the company. The name was changed to Bobbie Brooks in 1960. The company merged with Pubco Corporation in 1985. The collection consists of annual reports, brochures, newspaper clippings, company newsletters, awards, and a payroll ledger. The newsletters provide contemporaneous descriptions of pioneering use of computers to track and coordinate production, sales, shipping, and accounting. |
| MS Number | MS 4764 |
| Location: | closed stacks |
| Language: | The records are in English |
Bobbie Brooks, Inc., was founded in 1939 as Ritmore Sportswear in Cleveland, Ohio. It developed a national and international reputation for its leadership in the field of women's clothing, particularly outerwear and swimwear. The company was established by Maurice Saltzman and Max Reiter with a $3,000 investment. In 1953 Saltzman bought out Reiter's share of the company for one million dollars. The name of the company was changed to Bobbie Brooks when it went public in March 1960. During the 1960s the company continued to expand, adding production divisions in other cities. However, during the early 1980s, Bobbie Brooks suffered serious financial difficulties. In 1985 the company merged with Pubco Corporation. Operational control was assumed by Robert H. Kanner who reduced Bobbie Brooks' involvement in apparel and diversified its holdings to include retailing outlets and commercial printing.
click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for Bobbie Brooks, Inc.
click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for Maurice Saltzman
The Bobbie Brooks, Inc. Records, 1939-1992, consist of annual reports, brochures, newspaper clippings, company newsletters, awards, and a payroll ledger.
This collection is of value to scholars studying the history of business in Cleveland, Ohio, in general and, in particular, Jewish-owned businesses and the garment industry. For example, the newsletters provide contemporaneous descriptions of pioneering use of computers to track and coordinate production, sales, shipping, and accounting.
None.
Related MaterialThe researcher should also consult MS 5157 Bobbie Brooks, Inc. Records, Series II; and PG 489 Bobbie Brooks, Inc. Photographs.
Separated MaterialAll photographs and slides have been removed to PG 489 Bobbie Brooks, Inc. Photographs. An audio recording has been removed to the Audio-Visual Collection.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
[Container ___, folder ___ ] MS 4764 Bobbie Brooks, Inc. Records, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio
Sam Weisberg, 1993; Mrs. Shirley Kanner, 1994; and Mrs. Shirley Saltzman, 1994
Processed by Louis Rosenblum in 1997
Bobbie Brooks, Inc. Records 1939-1992 |
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| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | Annual reports 1988 1990-1992 | |||||||||
| 1 | 2 | Awards, Maurice Saltman 1954 1966 | |||||||||
| 1 | 3 | Brochures and newspaper clippings 1946-1966 | |||||||||
| 1 | 4 | Employee newsletter, Sew It Seems 1954 1958 1961-1966 | |||||||||
| 1 | 5 | Ledger, payroll 1939-1943 | |||||||||