Guide to the Rothschild's Department Store Records,
1866-1957

Collection Number: 3846

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library

Contact Information:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
2B Carl A. Kroch Library
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
(607) 255-3530
Fax: (607) 255-9524
rareref@cornell.edu
http://rmc.library.cornell.edu
Compiled by:
M. Warren
Date completed:
January 1981
EAD encoding:
Martin Heggestad, November 2001

© 2001 Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library

DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
Rothschild's Department Store Records, 1866-1957
Collection Number:
3846
Creator:
Rothschild's Department Store
Quantity:
3.7 cubic ft.
Forms of Material:
Ledgers, account books, legal documents.
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library
Abstract:
Includes ledgers and account books (1914-1935) of customer orders and dealer invoices. The volumes dealing with customers frequently record the customers' tableware patterns and prices. Also, deeds and title abstracts and searches (1866-1957) for various properties in the city of Ithaca and two appraisals (1923-1933) of the Rothschild Brothers Building.
Language:
Collection material in English

ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY

Rothschild's Department Store was a family business founded in 1882 as the Boston Variety Store by Jacob Rothschild. His brother Daniel joined him in 1884. Six years later another brother, Isaac, joined the firm, which then became known as Rothschild Brothers. The business was sold in 1980.
COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

Includes ledgers and account books (1914-1935) of customer orders and dealer invoices for china, glass, silver and other tableware, kitchenware, toys and games. The volumes dealing with customers, including individuals, churches, educational institutions, fraternities, hospitals, restaurants, and hotels in Ithaca, New York and nationwide, frequently record the customers' tableware patterns and prices; one volume pertains to orders for Statler hotels and restaurants. Also, deeds and title abstracts and searches (1866-1957) for various properties in the city of Ithaca, particularly the area which is now the Ithaca Commons, and two appraisals (1923-1933) of the Rothschild Brothers Building.
SUBJECTS

Names:
Rothschild's Department Store (Ithaca, N.Y).
Rothschild, Daniel.
Rothschild, Isaac.
Rothschild, Jacob.

Subjects:
Department stores.
Stores, Retail.

Places:
Ithaca (N.Y.)
INFORMATION FOR USERS

Cite As:
Rothschild's Department Store Records, #3846. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
CONTAINER LIST

Date
Description
Container
1914-1917
China customer orders
Box 1 Folder 1
1919-1921
Dealer invoices, tableware, cookware, clocks, etc.
Box 1 Folder 2
1922-1927
G-Z; customers, mostly businesses and fraternities; tableware, kitchenware, etc.
Box 1 Folder 3
1923-1927
Le-Pe; customers outside Ithaca: churches, hotels, restaurants, hospitals
Box 1 Folder 4
1923-1927
Pi-S (same as Volume 4)
Box 2 Folder 5
1923-1927
T-Z (same as Volume 4 and 5)
Box 2 Folder 6
1926, 1927
Dealer invoices, tableware, misc.
Box 4 Folder 7
ca. 1926-1928
Fine China; customers, patterns and prices
Box 2 Folder 8
1927-1928
Dealer invoices
Box 2 Folder 9
ca. 1928-1936
Outside (not Ithaca) customers; hotels, restaurants, country clubs, colleges, hospitals; tableware, misc.
Box 2 Folder 10
Local, mostly Cornell University fraternities, dining halls, restaurants, tableware, misc.
Box 3 Folder 11
1930-1931
Dealer invoices, mostly toys and games
Box 3 Folder 12
1930-1935
Statler Hotels and Restaurants; tableware
Box 3 Folder 13
1923
Appraisal for Rothschild Brothers' buildings
Box 3 Folder 14
1933
Appraisal for Leon D. Rothschild: East State Street properties
Box 3 Folder 15
(Loose material from Volume 5: correspondence and price lists)
Box 5 Folder 1
1866-1913
#1 Deeds and Abstracts of Title of Property, 155 E State St. and 110 N Tioga St.
Box 5 Folder 2
Lots 62 and 63: Miles Finch, Henry L. Wilgus, Helen M. Tolfree, Sarah F. Tolfree, Sarah E. Wilgus, Peter Fish, Horace I. Smith, Jacob, Daniel and Isaac Rothschild
1886-1913
#2 Journal Block on Tioga St and also residence on Buffalo St. "Deeds and Abstracts of Titles of S Tioga St building":
 Box 5 Folder 3-4
Lots 62 and 63, 1886-1913: Fenis Finch, Miles Finch, Henry L. Wilgus, Clarissa M. Selkreg, Peter Fish, Douglas Boardman, John H. Selkreg, ADW Bruyn (?), Andrew J. Miller, Helen M. Tolfree [nee Miller], Charles S. Tourlellat, Sarah T. Tourtellat [nee Miller], Horace I. Smith, Sarah Ross, O. B. Curran and wife, Clarence L. Smith, F. C. Cornell, James Ross, Harriet E. Ross, U.S. Express Co., Alethea T. Apgar, Charles S. Miles, Alfred Wells, John Carr, Charles W. Swift, Jacob and Rebecca Rothschild, Isaac and Daniel Rothschild, William Andrus, William A. Church, Fannie S. Rothschild [wife of Isaac], Rothschild Brothers, Inc.
1888-1954
#4 Weed Property, Deed, Abstract of Title, Discharged Mortgage, Certificate of Discharge, Search of Green St. and Tioga St. Property.
Box 5 Folder 5-6
Amy D. Barber, Louise K. Weed, John Gauntlett and wife, William Andrus, George McChain , Frederick Andrus, William A. Church, Marcus C. and Alice V. Niver, Joseph and Amelia La Point, Harriet E. Webster, Benjamin Gould, Lena F. Weed Potter, Charles B. Potter, Hoffman C. Steinberg, Rothschild Brothers, Inc., Jacob Rothschild, Catherine G. Comes, James Macera and wife.
1923, 1924
#6 Deed and Abstract of Title, Cornell Building, S. Tioga St.
Box 5 Folder 7
Eunice Cornell Taylor, Franklin C. Cornell, Cordelia H. and Dorothy Cornell, Carl Schallowitz, Henry L. Wilgus, Rothschild Brothers, Jacob Rothschild
1870-1911
#7 Papers Pertaining to Henry L. Wilgus, Wilgus Block, lots 62 and 63.
Box 5 Folder 8-9
Henry L. Wilgus and wife, Peter Fish, Horace I. Smith, Jacob, Isaac and Daniel H. Rothschild, Rothschild Brothers, Clarissa M. Selkreg, Miles Finch, Louisa J. Sprague, [Dr. William D. E. Marsh, Dr. Tinker, Business men's Association, Conservatory of Music - tenants], Helen M. Tolfree, David Roe, Sarah E. Wilgus, Mynderse Van Cleef.
1899-1949
"Deed, Abstract of Title and Papers pertaining to Property, 130-132 E State St and 117 E Seneca St"
Box 5 Folder 10
Quigg Block, lot 41 1899-1949. James Quigg, Rothschild Brothers, George West, Arthur P. Brooks, Julia A. Quigg, Daniel, Jacob and Isaac Rothschild, Franklin Atwater and wife Harriet O., John W. Quigg, Albert A. Stannard, Mary Hilton, Emeline Quigg, H.J. Bool Co., J. Lakin Baldridge, Jess J. Dall, Jr. and wife Constance G., Fred A. Rogalsky and wife Dorothy C., Leon D. Rothschild, James N. Rothschild, Nancy Rothschild [Deutsch], Francis M. Willis, Hattie L. Hill, Le Roy D. Neish and wife Blanchard L., Harold P. Denniston, Muriel J. Denniston, Rhonda N. Rothschild.
1957
Legal document. "121 E Seneca St Corp April 1957" [formerly premises of Oriental Hotel, Tioga Hotel, 130 S. Tioga St.].
Box 5 Folder 11
Venera Macera, Vincenzo Macera, Fraternal Order of Eagles, James N. Rothschild.
Loose papers:
Box 5 Folder 12
Junior Republic Inn Company shares, Daniel Rothschild; documents related to those in folder 5; meeting notice--directors of Rothschild Brothers; release: Benjamin E. Green, Abbie E. Green, Florence E. Green to Rothschild Brothers.
2 photographs of Rothschild's Department Store, ca. 1957
Box 4
1 photograph of James and Leon Rothschild, man, 1951
Box 4
2 sale catalogs, 1905 and ca. 1922
Box 4
1 invitation to opening of new store, 1915
Box 4
1 copy magazine, Sound Selling, 1956
Box 4