| Repository: | Western Reserve Historical Society |
| Creator: | Day-Glo Color Corporation |
| Title: | Day-Glo Color Corporation Records |
| Dates: | 1930-1991 |
| Extent: | 6.04 linear feet (8 containers and 4 oversize folders) |
| Abstract: | The Day-Glo Color Corporation was founded in 1946 by Robert and Joseph Switzer, who developed ways to make photoluminescent paints and dyes.These paints and dyes were used by the military to mark airplanes as well as uniforms, and to detect flaws in airplane engines and other parts. They were also used extensively in the graphic arts industry, for product advertising and packaging.The company, which began as the Conti-Glo Division of Continental Lithograph Corporation, became Switzer Brothers, Inc., and later, Day-Glo Corporation, and was sold in 1986 to Nalco Chemical Corporation. The collection consists of agendas, annual reports, articles of incorporation, blueprints, brochures, budgets, bylaws, color guides, contracts, correspondence, fabric samples, financial statements, handbooks, histories, interview transcripts, legal documents, lists, magazine clippings, manuals, memoranda, minutes, newsletters, newspaper clippings, notebooks, notes, outlines, photographs, press releases, publications, questionnaires, reports, scrapbooks, speech texts, stock certificates, and tax returns. |
| MS Number | MS 4878 |
| Location: | closed stacks |
| Language: | The records are in English, French, German and Spanish |
The Day-Glo Color Corporation (f. 1946) was created as Switzer Brothers, Inc. by Robert Switzer (1914-1997) and his brother, Joseph Switzer (d. 1973). While students at the University of California at Berkeley, the Switzer brothers experimented with mixing fluorescent compounds and shellac in the family bathtub. These experiments produced colors far brighter than normal that had the effect of glowing under ultraviolet or black light. The Switzer brothers initially sold these paints and dyes to magic shows and stage shows. In 1935 the Switzer brothers licensed the Cleveland, Ohio, based Continental Lithograph Corporation to make, use, and sell photoluminescent products (including the daylight fluorescent products) and moved to Cleveland. Continental Lithograph formed the Conti-Glo Division to handle these new products with Robert Switzer serving as manager and Joseph serving as research director. The Switzer brothers held all patent rights to the fluorescent paints and dyes. In 1936, Robert Switzer was awarded a patent when he applied his knowledge of fluorescent dyes and paints in a method to determine flaws in metal machine parts.
During World War II, these paints and dyes were used extensively by the Allied military. Troops in North Africa used fluorescent signal panels to identify themselves as friendly to Allied bombers. The Switzer brothers' fluorescent materials also allowed Allied warplanes to operate at night in the Pacific and were used to detect hidden flaws in airplane engines and parts. The Switzer brothers left Continental Lithograph after the war and formed their own company, Switzer Brothers, Inc., in 1946. This new company was the sole source licensed under the Switzer patents to process daylight fluorescent fabrics and manufacture daylight fluorescent devices.
In 1947, the Day-Glo trademark was registered in the United States and has dominated the market ever since. Switzer Brothers, Inc. introduced the brilliance of Day-Glo colors to the graphic arts industry on glowing billboards, bus cards, and window displays produced with silk screen inks. In 1959 Proctor and Gamble decided to make a change from conventional to fluorescent color on their Tide detergent carton, using Day-Glo printing inks. Sales of Tide surged, and Day-Glo colors became a standard in product advertising and packaging. During the 1960s, Day-Glo introduced the first one-impression fluorescent litho-letterpress inks, the first fluorescent toners for flexographic inks, and the first "extra strength" litho-letterpress ink. In 1969 Switzer Brothers, Inc. changed its name to the Day-Glo Color Corporation.
By the 1980s, the Day-Glo Color Corporation had established itself as the world leader in the development and manufacture of daylight fluorescent dyestuffs, pigments, inks, and paints of many types in a wide range of colors. It supplied approximately 57% of the American fluorescent printing and plastics market and 80% of the American fluorescent paint market. It was also a major supplier of fluorescent flaw detection products. In 1982, the Day-Glo Color Corporation supplied approximately 18% of the world fluorescent market outside of the United States and Canada.
In 1986 the Day-Glo Color Corporation was sold to the Nalco Chemical Company. Members of the Switzer family used some of the proceeds of the sale to establish the Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation. The foundation provides scholarships to graduate students pursuing degrees in the environmental sciences.
click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for Robert Switzer
The Day-Glo Color Corporation Records, (1930-1991), consist of agendas, annual reports, articles of incorporation, blueprints, brochures, budgets, bylaws, color guides, contracts, correspondence, fabric samples, financial statements, handbooks, histories, interview transcripts, legal documents, lists, magazine clippings, manuals, memoranda, minutes, newsletters, newspaper clippings, notebooks, notes, outlines, photographs, press releases, publications, questionnaires, reports, reprints, resolutions, scrapbooks, speech texts, stock certificates, and tax returns.
This collection is of value to researchers studying the history of Cleveland, Ohio and the Day-Glo Color Corporation. Researchers interested in Robert Switzer and Joseph Switzer will also find this collection useful. This collection is also of value to researchers studying the history of the creation and development of fluorescent paint and dyes by the Switzer brothers and the printing and industrial uses of these materials. Researchers interested in business and industrial history in Cleveland will find this collection useful. This collection also documents the military uses of fluorescent paint and dyes beginning in World War II, and the impact Day-Glo paints and dyes had upon the advertising and marketing industries in the United States and internationally. Researchers interested in the predecessor companies of the Day-Glo Color Corporation, such as Switzer Brothers, Inc. and Conti-Glo, will find this collection of interest.
None.
Related MaterialThe researcher should also consult MS 4781 Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation Records.
Separated MaterialAll audio and video cassette tapes have been removed to the audio-visual collection. Photographs that were included in scrapbooks have been retained with the collection; all other photographs have been removed to the photograph and print 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 4878 Day-Glo Color Corporation Records, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio
Robert and Patricia Switzer, 1993
Processed by Margaret Burzynski-Bays in 2003
Series I: Historical 1930-1986 |
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Sub-series A: General ca. 1930-1980 |
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| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | Black-Ray Lighting Company, administrative operations manual from Robert Switzer's office ca. 1930-1939 | |||||||||
| 1 | 2 | Conti-Glo, sales and marketing manual 1939-1940 | |||||||||
| 1 | 3 | Day-Glo Color Corporation, corporate profiles 1975 1980 | |||||||||
| 1 | 4 | Fluorescent dye, varnish, and enamel, formulas, samples, and ingredient sources 1935 | |||||||||
| 1 | 5 | Fluorescent ink, notebook 1936 | |||||||||
| 1 | 6 | Fluorescent offset lithograph inks, notebook 1936 | |||||||||
| 1 | 7 | Graycraft Studios/Switzer Brothers Northern-Lite Studios/Switzer Brothers Ultra-Violet Laboratories, correspondence 1934 | |||||||||
| 1 | 8 | Indoor black lighted displays, newspaper clippings and magazine clippings 1939 1941-1942 | |||||||||
| 1 | 9 | Invisible laundry marking ink, correspondence, pamphlet, and photographs 1936 1938 1940-1942 1944 | |||||||||
| 1 | 10 | Library research on fluorescent pigments, notebook ca. 1930-1939 | |||||||||
| 1 | 11 | Luminous Products Company, correspondence 1935-1936 | |||||||||
| 1 | 12 | Military products, brochures, certificates, company histories, correspondence, fabric samples, newspaper clippings, notes, specifications, surveys, and telegrams (original specifications stored in Container 8, Folder 218, Oversize Materials) 1941-1946 1948-1951 | |||||||||
| 1 | 13 | Pigment binders, notebook and notes 1935 | |||||||||
| 1 | 14 | Switzer family, correspondence 1935 | |||||||||
Sub-series B: Day-Glo Color Corporation History Research Conducted by Liesa Bing Allen 1984-1986 |
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| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 1 | 15 | Completed questionnaires and interview transcripts 1984-1986 | |||||||||
| 1 | 16 | Correspondence and memoranda 1984-1986 | |||||||||
| 1 | 17 | Document lists 1984 | |||||||||
| 1 | 18 | Family and business chronology, 1930-1935, written by Robert Switzer 1984 | |||||||||
| 1 | 19 | History of 1953 and 1960 tax court cases written by Robert Switzer 1984 | |||||||||
| 1 | 20 | Outlines and timelines ca. 1984-1986 | |||||||||
| 1 | 21 | Product file with index 1984 | |||||||||
Sub-series C: Scrapbooks 1930-1953 |
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| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 1 | 22 | Switzer Brothers, Inc. (original stored in Container 8, Folder 219, Oversize Material) 1930-1953 | |||||||||
| 1 | 23 | "A" 1935-1945 | |||||||||
| 1 | 24 | Not labeled (original stored in Container 8, Folder 220, Oversize Materials) ca. 1940-1949 | |||||||||
Series II: Administrative 1959-1985 |
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Sub-series A: General 1968-1985 |
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| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 1 | 25-28 | Decision letters with index 1968-1970 | |||||||||
| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 2 | 29-35 | Decision letters with index 1970-1976 | |||||||||
| 2 | 36 | Employee seniority list 1985 | |||||||||
| 2 | 37 | Filing system indexes 1955 ca. 1970-1979 | |||||||||
| 2 | 38 | Plant Number One tour fact sheet 1985 | |||||||||
| 2 | 39 | Salaried employee handbook 1984 | |||||||||
Sub-series B: Officers 1959-1985 |
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| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 2 | 40 | Adzema, Ron 1978-1982 | |||||||||
| 2 | 41 | Allen, Milton 1982-1985 undated | |||||||||
| 2 | 42 | Antonak, James 1982 | |||||||||
| 2 | 43 | Bonsutto, Richard 1968-1984 | |||||||||
| 2 | 44 | Bost, William 1982-1984 | |||||||||
| 2 | 45-46 | Furry, Richard 1968-1984 | |||||||||
| 2 | 47 | Graham, Leslie 1980-1981 | |||||||||
| 2 | 48 | Gray, Art 1982 | |||||||||
| 2 | 49 | Gray, Thomas 1969-1976 | |||||||||
| 2 | 50 | Henke, Carl 1969-1973 1976 1978-1982 | |||||||||
| 2 | 51 | Irsak, John 1968-1969 1974 1981 1984 | |||||||||
| 2 | 52 | Kimmel, Edward 1979 1981 1983-1985 | |||||||||
| 2 | 53 | Lindner, Gregory 1980-1981 1984-1985 | |||||||||
| 2 | 54 | Mann, John 1982 | |||||||||
| 2 | 55 | Moore, Charles 1984 | |||||||||
| 2 | 56 | Norris, Milton 1959 | |||||||||
| 2 | 57-58 | Russell, Gordon 1969-1976 | |||||||||
| 2 | 59 | Steele, John 1970 1980-1985 undated | |||||||||
| 2 | 60-61 | Switzer, Fred 1969-1985 | |||||||||
| 2 | 62 | Switzer family, Fred 1983-1985 | |||||||||
| 2 | 63 | Switzer, Joseph 1968 | |||||||||
| 2 | 64 | Switzer, Robert 1973-1974 | |||||||||
| 2 | 65 | Tanski, Tim ca. 1980-1989 | |||||||||
| 2 | 66 | Ward, Richard 1974-1976 1982-1983 | |||||||||
| 2 | 67 | Yu, Cecilia 1980-1981 | |||||||||
Series III: Board of Directors 1971-1986 |
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| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 2 | 68 | Board of directors handbook 1981 | |||||||||
| 2 | 69 | Board of directors manual (includes Day-Glo Color Corporation code of regulations and articles of incorporation) 1980 | |||||||||
| 2 | 70-71 | Board of directors meeting agendas and minutes 1978-1986 | |||||||||
| 2 | 72 | Cash flow projections 1983-1984 | |||||||||
| 2 | 73 | Contingency plan memoranda, newspaper clippings, and notes 1979-1982 | |||||||||
| 2 | 74 | Corporate objectives reports 1976-1977 1982 1984 | |||||||||
| 2 | 75 | Departmental organization charts 1982-1983 | |||||||||
| 2 | 76 | Diversification reports and memoranda 1980-1983 | |||||||||
| 2 | 77 | Dividend policies 1978-1985 | |||||||||
| 2 | 78 | Executive committee meeting agendas 1984-1985 | |||||||||
| 2 | 79 | Executive compensation memoranda 1983-1985 | |||||||||
| 2 | 80 | Management meeting agendas and reports 1985-1986 | |||||||||
| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 3 | 81-82 | Memoranda 1978-1986 | |||||||||
| 3 | 83 | Outline of consolidated Day-Glo corporate strategy in the 1980s 1985 | |||||||||
| 3 | 84 | Pacific Dispersions and Bradco reports 1979-1983 | |||||||||
| 3 | 85-86 | Profit reports and profit plans 1971-1986 | |||||||||
Series IV: Financial 1945-1985 |
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Sub-series A: General 1945-1984 |
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| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 3 | 87 | Analytical credit reports, (includes company histories for Switzer Brothers, Inc. and Day-Glo Color Corporation) 1945-1951 1961 1968-1969 | |||||||||
| 3 | 88-91 | Audited financial statements 1966-1984 | |||||||||
| 3 | 92 | Long range financial analyses 1963 1968-1970 1972-1973 | |||||||||
Sub-series B: Stock 1969-1985 |
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| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 3 | 93 | Stock contract conversion program 1979-1983 | |||||||||
| 3 | 94 | Stock options 1982-1983 | |||||||||
| 3 | 95 | Stock plans 1969-1985 | |||||||||
| 3 | 96 | Stock subscriptions and redemptions 1983-1985 | |||||||||
| 3 | 97 | Switzer, Joseph, stock certificates for Switzer Laboratories, Inc. 1969-1972 | |||||||||
Sub-series C: Shareholders 1969-1985 |
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| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 3 | 98-99 | Annual meeting agendas and correspondence 1969-1979 1981-1985 | |||||||||
Sub-series D: Retirement Plans 1950-1986 |
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| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 3 | 100-101 | Day-Glo Color Corporation employee trust accounts 1963 1969 1974 1984 1984-1986 | |||||||||
| 3 | 102 | Robert Switzer's pension plan 1950 1970-1973 1975 1978-1979 1982-1985 | |||||||||
| 3 | 103 | Robert Switzer's retirement issues 1979 1984-1986 | |||||||||
Sub-series E: Day-Glo Investment Corporation 1973-1983 |
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| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 3 | 104 | Formation 1973 | |||||||||
| 3 | 105-106 | Individual stockholders 1973-1983 | |||||||||
| 3 | 107 | Merger with Day-Glo Color Corporation 1978-1979 | |||||||||
| 3 | 108 | Shareholder mailings 1973-1978 | |||||||||
| 3 | 109 | Stock transfers 1973-1980 | |||||||||
| 3 | 110 | Tax matters 1974-1978 | |||||||||
Series V: Legal 1936-1969 undated |
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| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 3 | 111 | Continental Lithograph Corporation, agreements 1936-1943 | |||||||||
| 3 | 112 | Name change from Switzer Brothers, Inc. to Day-Glo Color Corporation, Inc., certificate of amendment to the articles of incorporation and correspondence 1969 | |||||||||
| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 4 | 113 | Product inventions, patents 1942 1947 1949 1957-1958 1968 | |||||||||
| 4 | 114 | Product patents, press release undated | |||||||||
| 4 | 115-117 | Robert Switzer and Joseph Switzer legal issues, agreements and contracts with index 1942-1959 | |||||||||
| 4 | 118 | Switzer tax court case, correspondence; handwritten history with photocopied attachments; notes; official report of the proceedings; and reports 1962 1984 | |||||||||
| 4 | 119-120 | Switzer tax court case, stipulation of facts (agreements) 1962 | |||||||||
| 4 | 121 | Switzer tax court case, stipulation of facts (American patents) 1962 | |||||||||
| 4 | 122-124 | Switzer tax court case, stipulation of facts (foreign patents) 1962 | |||||||||
Series VI: Public Relations 1934-1991 undated |
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Sub-series A: Publicity 1934-1991 undated |
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| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 4 | 125 | Press releases 1981-1982 | |||||||||
| 4 | 126-134 | Reprints and magazine and newspaper clippings (original magazines stored in Container 8, Folders 221, 222, and 223, Oversize Materials). 1934-1991 undated | |||||||||
Sub-series B: In-House Publications 1941-1985 |
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| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 4 | 135 | Conti-Glo Black Light Beacon (full issues and article clippings) 1941-1942 | |||||||||
| 4 | 136 | Day-Glo Apparel News 1950-1952 | |||||||||
| 4 | 137 | Day-Glo Beacon 1949-1950 | |||||||||
| 4 | 138 | Day-Glo Color Corporation Newsletter 1984-1985 | |||||||||
| 4 | 139 | Day-Glo Color Corporation Technical Bulletin 1981-1984 | |||||||||
| 4 | 140 | Day-Glo Herald 1950-1956 1965-1970 | |||||||||
| 4 | 141 | Day-Glo Vehicle and Coating Division Monthly Newsletter 1983-1984 | |||||||||
| 4 | 142 | Day-Glo Vehicle and Coating Division Technical Bulletin ca. 1980-1985 | |||||||||
| 4 | 143 | Glo-Craft Black Light Beacon 1946-1947 | |||||||||
| 4 | 144 | On-Color: The Day-Glo Color Corporation Gazette 1985 | |||||||||
| 4 | 145 | One Impression: The Day-Glo Color Corporation Newsletter to the Printing Industry ca. 1980-1985 | |||||||||
| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 5 | 146 | The Switzer Beacon 1947 1949-1950 1956 | |||||||||
| 5 | 147 | Switzer Brothers, Inc. Technical Bulletin 1957 | |||||||||
Sub-series C: Marketing 1954-1969 undated |
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| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 5 | 148 | Advertising reprints undated | |||||||||
| 5 | 149 | Color guides (originals stored in Container 8, Folder 224, Oversize Materials) undated | |||||||||
| 5 | 150 | Day-Glo Designer's Guide (original stored in Container 8, Folder 225, Oversize Materials) 1969 | |||||||||
| 5 | 151 | Foreign language materials undated | |||||||||
| 5 | 152 | Greeting cards undated | |||||||||
| 5 | 153 | News bulletins and letters to dealers 1954-1956 | |||||||||
| 5 | 154-155 | Pamphlets (originals stored in Container 8, Folder 226, Oversize Materials) undated | |||||||||
Series VII: Facilities 1944-1981 undated |
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Sub-series A: General 1944-1981 |
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| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 5 | 156-157 | Blueprints, (1944 originals stored in Container 8, Folder 227, Oversize Materials; other oversize originals stored in Oversize Folder 1) 1944 1959 1980-1981 | |||||||||
| 5 | 158-161 | Memoranda and progress reports for the engineering project 1977-1981 | |||||||||
| 5 | 162 | Memoranda and reports for the ten-year facility plan 1978-1979 | |||||||||
Sub-series B: Administration and Technical Center Construction 1980-1981 undated |
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Sub-sub-series 1: Project Management 1980-1981 undated |
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| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 5 | 163 | Blueprints (originals stored in Oversize Folder 2) 1980-1981 undated | |||||||||
| 5 | 164 | Construction schedule (original stored in Oversize Folder 3) February 26, 1980 | |||||||||
| 5 | 165 | Employment contract for project manager undated | |||||||||
| 5 | 166-167 | Master documents binder 1980-1981 | |||||||||
| 5 | 168 | Project functions diagram (original stored in Oversize Folder 4) undated | |||||||||
Sub-sub-series 2: Specifications 1980 |
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| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 5 | 169-175 | Complete project, elevator, excavation and concrete, fireproofing, general construction, masonry, and structural metals 1980 | |||||||||
Sub-sub-series 3: bids 1980-1981 |
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| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 5 | 176-186 | Electrical system, elevator, excavation and concrete, fireproofing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, hydraulic dock, masonry, outdoor lighting, plumbing, roof, and structural steel 1980-1981 | |||||||||
Series VIII: Sale of the Day-Glo Color Corporation to the Nalco Chemical Company 1985-1987 |
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Sub-series A: Day-Glo Color Corporation Materials 1985-1986 |
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| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 5 | 187 | Announcements and responses 1985-1986 | |||||||||
| 5 | 188 | Billings 1985 | |||||||||
| 5 | 189 | Corporate profiles of the Day-Glo Color Corporation 1975 1977 1980 | |||||||||
| 5 | 190 | Daily notes and logs kept by Robert Switzer 1985 | |||||||||
| 5 | 191 | Employee communications 1985 | |||||||||
| 5 | 192 | Financial advisor 1985 | |||||||||
| 5 | 193 | Management meeting 1985 | |||||||||
| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 6 | 194-195 | Planning 1976-1978 1981-1982 1984-1985 | |||||||||
| 6 | 196 | Presentations 1968 1985 | |||||||||
| 6 | 197 | Purchase inquiries 1977-1980 1982-1985 | |||||||||
| 6 | 198 | Purchase proposals 1985 | |||||||||
| 6 | 199 | Qualitative assessment of the Day-Glo Color Corporation 1985 | |||||||||
| 6 | 200 | Reactions to the sale of the Day-Glo Color Corporation 1985 | |||||||||
| 6 | 201 | Sales and contribution forecasts 1985 | |||||||||
| 6 | 202 | Selling document 1985 | |||||||||
| 6 | 203 | Shareholder meetings 1985 | |||||||||
| 6 | 204 | Shareholder tax issues 1985-1986 | |||||||||
| 6 | 205 | Shareholder transmittal of share certificates 1985 | |||||||||
| 6 | 206 | Stock certificate transactions 1985 | |||||||||
| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 7 | 207 | Stock cost basis (1946-1985) 1985 | |||||||||
| 7 | 208 | Switzer Investment Company 1985-1986 | |||||||||
| 7 | 209 | Tour of Cleveland facilities 1985 | |||||||||
| 7 | 210 | Valuation of Day-Glo trademark 1985 | |||||||||
Sub-series B: Nalco Chemical Company Materials 1985-1987 |
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| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 7 | 211 | Acquisition documents 1985 | |||||||||
| 7 | 212 | Agreement of merger 1985 | |||||||||
| 7 | 213 | Assessment of Day-Glo Color Corporation 1985 | |||||||||
| 7 | 214 | Daily notes/log kept by Robert Switzer concerning Nalco Chemical Company 1985 | |||||||||
| 7 | 215 | Day-Glo Color Corporation board of directors minutes (includes profit plan) 1986 | |||||||||
| 7 | 216 | Day-Glo Color Corporation board of directors minutes 1986 | |||||||||
| 7 | 217 | Nalco Chemical Company correspondence with Day-Glo Color Corporation 1985-1987 | |||||||||