GORDON & FERGUSON:

An Inventory of Its Records at the Minnesota Historical Society

Manuscripts Collection

Expand/CollapseOVERVIEW

Creator: Gordon & Ferguson (Saint Paul, Minn.)
Title:Gordon & Ferguson records.
Dates:1871-1998.
Language:Materials in English.
Abstract:Corporate records of furrier and outerwear manufacturer Gordon & Ferguson, including historical data (1871-1972), minutes (1902-1943), stock certificates (1922, 1931), photographs and scrapbooks (1882-1953), sales catalogs (1904-1994), financial records (1871-1968), additional records, and the records of related companies.
Quantity:15.0 cubic feet (15 boxes; 1 volume, unboxed; and 1 oversize folder).
Location: See Detailed Description for shelf locations.

Expand/CollapseHISTORICAL NOTE

Gordon & Ferguson building, 1904 catalog coverGordon & Ferguson, which operated in St. Paul, Minnesota, specialized in fur clothing manufacture. Richards Gordon (1829-1911) began operations in April 1871, taking on Paul D. Ferguson (1850-1905) as partner two years later. Gordon & Ferguson was incorporated under Minnesota law in 1902 and was subsequently renamed Gordon & Ferguson, Inc. (a Delaware corporation, 1922), Gordon & Ferguson Company (a Delaware corporation, 1931), and Gordon, Inc. (a Minnesota corporation, 1941), though it continued to be known as Gordon & Ferguson publicly. Its product lines included Field & Stream and Town & Country. In 1964, the Herman K. Lavin Company, also a St. Paul clothing manufacturer, purchased Gordon & Ferguson. By the late 1990s, some product lines were continued by the Field & Stream Apparel Company.


Return to top

Expand/CollapseSCOPE AND CONTENTS

Gordon & Ferguson catalog coversCorporate records of furrier and outerwear manufacturer Gordon & Ferguson, including historical data (1871-1972), minutes (1902-1943), stock certificates (1922, 1931), photographs and scrapbooks (1882-1953), sales catalogs (1904-1994), financial records (1871-1968), and additional records.

Related companies include Lanpher, Skinner & Company, Guiterman Brothers, Herman K. Lavin Company, Wacouta Company, and Field & Stream Apparel Company. Their records may include minutes, stock certificates, sales catalogs, scrapbooks, and financial records.


Return to top

Expand/CollapseARRANGEMENT

These documents are organized into the following sections:

Gordon & Ferguson
Gordon Fur Company
Lanpher, Skinner & Company
Guiterman Brothers
Herman K. Lavin Company
Wacouta Company
Field & Stream Apparel Company


Return to top

Expand/CollapseADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Availability:

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Gordon & Ferguson Records. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Accession Information:

Accession number: 16,378

Processing Information:

Processed by: Christopher G. Welter, July 2009.

Catalog ID number: 006931403


Return to top

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Expand/CollapseGORDON & FERGUSON

LocationBox
141.G.19.2F1Historical data, undated, 1872-1971. 3 folders.
Includes general histories, employee tenures, news releases, clippings, and photographs. Topics include the Gordon fur farm, stuffed buffalo mascot, and Gordon and Ferguson Mutual Benefit Association.
Articles of incorporation, bylaws, and minutes, 1902-1945. 3 volumes and 2 folders.
Covers four iterations: Gordon & Ferguson (1902); Gordon & Ferguson, Inc. (1922); Gordon & Ferguson Company (1931); Gordon, Inc. (1941).
Annual meeting material, 1946-March 1957.
Includes amended articles for Gordon & Ferguson, Inc. (1947).
Stock certificates, August 1, 1922; April-June 1931. 1 volume and 1 folder.
Includes samples from Gordon & Ferguson (1922); Gordon & Ferguson, Inc. (1922); and Gordon & Ferguson Company (1931).
Trademark records, February 1914-March 1951. 2 folders.
LocationBox
141.G.19.3B2Correspondence, October 1911-1940, 1971, 1979, 1984. 2 folders.
Marketing:
Advertisements, undated. 3 folders.
LocationBox
142.H.3.5B-19Advertisements, undated. 2 folders.
LocationBox
141.G.19.3B2Marketing plans, 1925-1926, 1980.
Operations analysis, [1949?]. 2 folders.
Graphic designs, undated, 1997. 5 folders.
Covers product lines Town & Country, Field & Stream, and Land-N-Lakes and includes label samples.
Photographs:
Portraits, undated.
Groups, undated, [1902?]. 2 items.
One appears to be male and female workers assembled in front of the "Gordon & Ferguson Glove Factory;" the other, men in top hats and overcoats arranged on building steps.
Building interiors, undated, 1914, 1967. 4 folders.
Mainly of manufacturing areas, though some of offices and stockrooms; most include staff.
Location
+318Building interiors, undated.
LocationBox
141.G.19.4F3Building construction, 1913.
Buildings, undated.
Advertisements, undated.
Merchandise, undated.
Mainly product placements of socks, mitts, and gloves.
LocationBox
142.H.3.5B-19Miscellaneous, undated, 1938, 1946. 3 folders.
Includes a couple Winter Carnival-related images.
Scrapbooks:
Arranged chronologically.
LocationBox
142.F.18.5B101882-1903.
Contains a partial index, advertisements, price lists, and correspondence. Also labeled as "A."
1904-1911.
Contains a partial index, advertisements, price lists, and correspondence. Also labeled as "H."
LocationBox
142.F.18.8F111909-1922.
Contains a partial index, advertisements, catalogs, and correspondence. Also labeled as "F."
LocationBox
141.G.19.4F31916-1921.
Contains advertisements from newspapers, magazines, and tradepapers. Also labeled as "2."
1921-1930.
Contains advertisements from newspapers, magazines, and tradepapers. Also labeled as "3" and "D."
LocationBox
141.G.19.5B41922-1927.
Predominantly contains correspondence. Also labeled as "2" and "C."
1928-1940.
Predominantly contains correspondence. Also labeled as "3."
LocationBox
141.G.19.4F31941-1948.
Contains partial index, advertisements from newspapers, magazines, and tradepapers. Also labeled as "4" and "G."
LocationBox
142.F.18.8F111946-1953.
Contains advertisements and newspaper clippings.
LocationBox
142.H.3.6F-112Photograph scrapbooks, 1914-1919, 1921-1946. 2 volumes.
1914-1919 volume labeled "B." Partial index for 1921-1946.
LocationBox
141.G.19.5B4Catalogs, undated, 1904-1941, 1971-1978.
Includes titles "Field & Stream," "Town & Country," "Guide Series," and "Mackenzie Coats" and also includes an index of titles (1883-1942).
LocationBox
141.G.19.6F5Catalogs, 1978-1994.
Price lists, 1921-1928.
Financial records:
Journal, 1879.
Charles W. Gordon's account book.
LocationBox
142.H.3.7B-113Journal, July 1871-January 1873.
LocationBox
142.H.3.7B-113Accounts ledgers, 1871-1901. 3 volumes.
Includes profit/loss ledger (1873-1900).
LocationBox
141.G.19.6F5Accounts ledger, 1880-1902. 1 volume.
LocationBox
142.H.3.7B-214Accounts ledger, 1924-1931. 1 volume.
Index to accounts, 1929-[1932?]. 1 volume.
LocationBox
142.H.3.8F-115Trial balances, 1935-1953. 11 volumes.
LocationBox
141.G.19.6F5Balance sheets/operating statements, 1907-1918, 1929, 1933-1968.
Appraisal report, September 1, 1929. 1 volume.
LocationBox
141.G.19.7B6Miscellaneous financial records, undated, 1904-1955. 2 folders.
Includes signed agreements.
Liquidation records, 1943-1945. 3 folders.
Tax records, 1950-1959. 10 folders.
May include amendments to articles of incorporation, balance sheets.
LocationBox
141.G.19.8F7Tax records, 1960-1962. 3 folders.
LocationBox
141.G.19.6F5Summary labor estimate and payroll notebook, January-July 1922. 1 volume.
Production record books, 1912, 1918. 2 volumes.
Location
142.J.1.1-1Payroll record book, March 22, 1913-June 18, 1915. 1 volume.
Includes an employees roster, number of items sewn, and production cost per employee.
LocationBox
141.G.19.8F7Labor contracts, June 1938-November 1948.
LocationBox
141.G.19.6F5Insurance policies, 1965-1966.

Return to top


Expand/CollapseGORDON FUR COMPANY

LocationBox
141.G.19.2F1Stock certificates, 1926-1945. 1 volume.

Return to top


Expand/CollapseLANPHER, SKINNER & COMPANY

LocationBox
141.G.19.8F7Articles of incorporation, bylaws, and minutes, 1912-1934.
Stock certificates, 1912-1934. 1 volume.
Price list, 1924.
Catalogs, 1902-1938.

Return to top


Expand/CollapseGUITERMAN BROTHERS

LocationBox
141.G.19.8F7Correspondence, undated, 1911-1960. 3 folders.
Bulk pertains to the trademark name "Windbreaker."
Tax records, 1932-1945.
Stock sale file, 1928-1929.
Documents Gordon & Ferguson's purchase of Guiterman Brothers.
Catalogs, undated, 1907-1935.
Marketed under "Summit Clothing for Out O' Doors," "Guiterman's Good Book," and "Town & Country Clothing for Out O' Doors;" includes partial index, 1906-1942.
LocationBox
141.G.19.9B8Scrapbook, 1919-1933. 1 volume.
Includes advertisements, catalogs, and correspondence.

Return to top


Expand/CollapseHERMAN K. LAVIN COMPANY

LocationBox
141.G.19.9B8Catalogs, undated, 1952-1970. 2 folders.
Marketed under "Land-N-Lakes Sportswear."
LocationBox
142.H.3.6F-112Scrapbook, 1944-1967. 1 volume.
Advertisements, clippings, and photographs.
LocationBox
142.F.18.8F11Stock certificates, 1955-1965. 1 volume.

Return to top


Expand/CollapseWACOUTA COMPANY

LocationBox
141.G.19.9B8Articles of incorporation, bylaws, and minutes, 1950-1962.
Includes samples of stock certificates.
Tax returns, 1950-1960.
Check register, June 1950-April 1962.

Return to top


Expand/CollapseFIELD & STREAM APPAREL COMPANY

LocationBox
141.G.19.9B8Catalogs, undated, 1997-1998.

Return to top


Expand/CollapseCATALOG HEADINGS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics:
Advertising -- Clothing and dress.
Clothing factories -- Minnesota -- Saint Paul.
Clothing trade -- Minnesota -- Saint Paul -- Accounting.
Fur garments -- Minnesota.
Manufactures -- Minnesota -- Saint Paul.
Organizations:
Field & Stream Apparel Co. (Minneapolis, Minn.)
Gordon Fur Co. (Saint Paul, Minn.)
Gordon, Inc. (Saint Paul, Minn.)
Gordon & Ferguson, Inc. (Saint Paul, Minn.)
Gordon & Ferguson Co. (Saint Paul, Minn.)
Guiterman Bros. (Saint Paul, Minn.)
Herman K. Lavin Co. (Saint Paul, Minn.)
Lanpher, Skinner & Co. (Saint Paul, Minn.)
Wacouta Co. (Saint Paul, Minn.)
Document Types:
Photographs
Sales catalogs
Scrapbooks

Return to top