Farr Alpaca Company Photographs

Collection Number: 6637 P

Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library

DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
Farr Alpaca Company Photographs, 1927-1933
Collection Number:
6637 P
Creator:
Farr Alpaca Company
Quantity:
1 file folder.
Forms of Material:
Gelatin silver print, photographs.
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library
Abstract:
Group potographs of employees and photographs of the winding operation, as well as other operations.
Language:
Collection material in English

ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY

Farr Alpaca was incorporated under the general statutes, Nov. 13, 1873, with a capital of $250,000. The first meting of the promoters of the company was held just previous to the outbreak of the financial crisis in September, 1873, but, notwithstanding the general depression in business which followed, and the long-continued prostration of the trade of Bradford, England, the chief seat of the worsted industry, the company was firmly established, and has proved a decided success. The erection of the buildings, which are built of brick, was commenced in December, 1873; and six months after, a full range of goods was shown in New York, and at once took the front rank. In view of the depressed state of trade, it was deemed advisable to only partially equip the mill at the start, but the first goods shown were so well received that it was found necessary, in order to meet the demand, to at once fill up the mill to its full capacity,255 looms, (The equipment has since been increased to 360 looms, with a capacity of 3,750,000 yards per annum.) and duplicate combing, drawing, and spinning machinery was put in to enable the company to produce either lustre or soft goods. Special care is taken in the selection of raw materials; and all operations in dyeing and finishing (some of which are original) are conducted with a view of producing the brightest lustre and the clearest and most durable color.
COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

Includes two group photographs of Farr Alpaca employees, mostly women. Both photographs are annotated to show the relationships between Jim Whyte and other employees. The photographs of the various mill operations also all feature Jim Whyte.
SUBJECTS

Names:
Whyte, Jim.
Farr Alpaca Company.

Subjects:
Inspecting and repairing
Employees -- Women
Textile fabrics
Textile machinery
Textile workers
Weaving
Winding machines
Women textile workers

Form and Genre Terms:
Gelatin silver print
Photographs

INFORMATION FOR USERS

Access Restrictions:
Access to the collections in the Kheel Center is restricted. Please contact a reference archivist for access to these materials.
Restrictions on Use:
This collection must be used in keeping with the Kheel Center Information Sheet and Procedures for Document Use.
Cite As:
Farr Alpaca Company Photographs #6637 P. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library.
RELATED MATERIALS

Related Collections:
6637: Farr Alpaca Company Records
6046: Archives Union File (AUF)
6689 G: Helen B. Sullivan Collection of Textile Industry Graphics
CONTAINER LIST

Container
Description
Date
Box 1 Folder 1 1927-1933
Box 1 Folder 1
Format: black and white photograph
Gelatin silver print. Image depicts a large posed group of female employees, along with a few men, of the Farr Alpaca Co., of Holyoke, Mass., possibly the employees of the weave room. The man in the center in the short-sleeved, open-neck white shirt is identified as Jim Whyte. The woman in the second row from the back, sixth from the left, is identified as Myrtle Potts, who later married Jim Whyte. The black and white photograph has been hand colored. 21.5 x 16.5 cm.
Format: black and white photograph.
Box 1 Folder 1
Format: black and white photograph
Gelatin silver print. Image depicts a small group of female employees, along with a few men, identified on reverse as winders. Man in center in suitcoat and tie is possibly overseer. Identified: Jim Whyte (3rd row, in shirtsleeves), Mary Mitchell (first row, 2nd from right), Bob Mitchell (top row end). Jim Whyte and and Mary Mitchell were brother and sister. 21.5 x 16.5 cm.
Format: black and white photograph.
Box 1 Folder 1
Format: black and white photograph
Gelatin silver print. Image depicts warp preparation (Leesona #44 winders in foreground). Workers are winding from spinning bobbins onto cones. Cones are then placed in warper creels (upper center) where the yarn is transferred onto section beams (left center). Jim Whyte is identified in the center in white shirt with rolled sleeves. Overseer (?, same man seen in center of item 2) is at far left. 21.5 x 16.5 cm.
Format: black and white photograph.
Box 1 Folder 1
Format: black and white photograph
Gelatin silver print. Image depicts skein winding from spinning bobbins. Employees visible are primarily female. Jim Whyte in center background in short sleeves; man on left in vest and tie is possibly overseer. 21.5 x 16.5 cm.
Format: black and white photograph.
Box 1 Folder 1
Format: black and white photograph
Gelatin silver print. Image depicts skein inspection, with female employees inspecting skeins hanging on poles. Inspected skeins are placed in boxes in center aisle. Jim Whyte (in shirt sleeves) and overseer (in vest and tie) are halfway down the room on the left. 21.5 x 16.5 cm.
Format: black and white photograph.
Box 1 Folder 1
Format: black and white photograph
Gelatin silver print. Image depicts cone winding from spinning bobbins on Leesona #44 winders. Visible employees at winders are female. Jim Whyte (in shirt sleeves) and overseer (in vest and tie) in center of photo. 21.5 x 16.5 cm.
Format: black and white photograph.
Box 1 Folder 1
Format: black and white photograph
Gelatin silver print. Image depicts multipe-end tube winding in preparation for twisting or plying (so that two ends are wound together as one). Jim Whyte (in shirt sleeves) stands with female employee in center of photo; overseer (in vest and tie) at right. 21.5 x 16.5 cm.
Format: black and white photograph.