Farr Alpaca Company Photographs, 1927-1933
Collection Number: 6637 P
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Cornell University Library
DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY
Title:
Farr Alpaca Company Photographs, 1927-1933
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Collection Number:
6637 P
Abstract:
Group potographs of employees and photographs of the winding operation, as well as
other operations.
Creator:
Farr Alpaca Company
Quanitities:
1 folders
Language:
Collection material in English
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.
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.
Access to the collections in the Kheel Center is restricted. Please contact a reference
archivist for access to these materials.
This collection must be used in keeping with the Kheel Center Information Sheet and
Procedures for Document Use.
INFORMATION FOR USERS
Farr Alpaca Company Photographs #6637 P. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation
and Archives, Cornell University Library.
Related Collections: 6637: Farr Alpaca Company Records 6046: Archives Union File (AUF) 6689 G: Helen B. Sullivan Collection of Textile Industry Graphics
Names:
Whyte, Jim.
Farr Alpaca Company.
Subjects:
Inspecting and repairing
Employees -- Women
Textile fabrics
Textile machinery
Textile workers
Weaving
Winding machines
Women textile workers
CONTAINER LIST
|
Container
|
Description
|
Date
|
|
| Box 1 | Folder 1 |
Employee Groups and Winding operations
|
1927-1933 |
| Box 1 | Folder 1 |
Item 1: Female employees
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|
|
Format: black and white photograph
|
|||
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Scope and Contents
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 |
Item 2: Female employees, winding room
|
|
|
Format: black and white photograph
|
|||
|
Scope and Contents
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 |
Item 3: Warp preparation
|
|
|
Format: black and white photograph
|
|||
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Scope and Contents
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 |
Item 4: Skein winding from spinning bobbins
|
|
|
Format: black and white photograph
|
|||
|
Scope and Contents
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 |
Item 5: Skein inspection
|
|
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Format: black and white photograph
|
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Scope and Contents
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 |
Item 6: Cone winding
|
|
|
Format: black and white photograph
|
|||
|
Scope and Contents
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 |
Item 7: Tube winding
|
|
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Format: black and white photograph
|
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Scope and Contents
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.
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