OVERVIEW
Minnesota Historical Society
Gordon & Ferguson (Saint Paul,
Minn.)
Gordon & Ferguson
records.
1871-1998.
Materials in English.
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.
15.0 cu. ft. (15 boxes, 1 volume, and 1
oversize folder).
See [Detailed Description](a9) for shelf
locations.
HISTORICAL NOTE
Gordon &
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.
SCOPE AND CONTENTS
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), 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.
ARRANGEMENT
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
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
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
CATALOG HEADINGS
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the
Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics
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
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Gordon & Ferguson
141.G.19.2F
1
Historical 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.
141.G.19.3B
2
Correspondence,
October 1911-1940, 1971, 1979, 1984.
2 folders.
Marketing:
Advertisements,
undated.
3 folders.
142.H.3.5B-1
9
Advertisements,
undated.
2 folders.
141.G.19.3B
2
Marketing 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.
+318
Building interiors,
undated.
141.G.19.4F
3
Building construction,
1913.
Buildings,
undated.
Advertisements,
undated.
Merchandise,
undated.
Mainly product placements of socks, mitts, and gloves.
142.H.3.5B-1
9
Miscellaneous,
undated, 1938, 1946.
3 folders.
Includes a couple Winter Carnival-related images.
Scrapbooks:
Arranged chronologically.
142.F.18.5B
10
1882-1903.
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."
142.F.18.8F
11
1909-1922.
Contains a partial index, advertisements, catalogs, and
correspondence. Also labeled as "F."
141.G.19.4F
3
1916-1921.
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."
141.G.19.5B
4
1922-1927.
Predominantly contains correspondence. Also labeled as "2" and
"C."
1928-1940.
Predominantly contains correspondence. Also labeled as "3."
141.G.19.4F
3
1941-1948.
Contains partial index, advertisements from newspapers, magazines,
and tradepapers. Also labeled as "4" and "G."
142.F.18.8F
11
1946-1953.
Contains advertisements and newspaper clippings.
142.H.3.6F-1
12
Photograph scrapbooks,
1914-1919, 1921-1946.
2 volumes.
1914-1919 volume labeled "B." Partial index for 1921-1946.
141.G.19.5B
4
Catalogs,
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).
141.G.19.6F
5
Catalogs,
1978-1994.
Price lists,
1921-1928.
Financial records:
Journal,
1879.
Charles W. Gordon's account book.
142.H.3.7B-1
13
Journal,
July 1871-January 1873.
142.H.3.7B-1
13
Accounts ledgers,
1871-1901.
3 volumes.
Includes profit/loss ledger (1873-1900).
141.G.19.6F
5
Accounts ledger,
1880-1902.
1 volume.
142.H.3.7B-2
14
Accounts ledger,
1924-1931.
1 volume.
Index to accounts,
1929-[1932?].
1 volume.
142.H.3.8F-1
15
Trial balances,
1935-1953.
11 volumes.
141.G.19.6F
5
Balance sheets/operating statements,
1907-1918, 1929, 1933-1968.
Appraisal report,
September 1, 1929.
1 volume.
141.G.19.7B
6
Miscellaneous 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.
141.G.19.8F
7
Tax records,
1960-1962.
3 folders.
141.G.19.6F
5
Summary labor estimate and payroll notebook,
January-July 1922.
1 volume.
Production record books,
1912, 1918.
2 volumes.
142.J.1.1
Payroll record book,
March 22, 1913-June 18, 1915.
1 volume.
Includes an employees roster, number of items sewn, and production cost
per employee.
141.G.19.8F
7
Labor contracts,
June 1938-November 1948.
141.G.19.6F
5
Insurance policies,
1965-1966.
Gordon Fur Company
141.G.19.2F
1
Stock certificates,
1926-1945.
1 volume.
Lanpher, Skinner & Company
141.G.19.8F
7
Articles of incorporation, bylaws, and minutes,
1912-1934.
Stock certificates,
1912-1934.
1 volume.
Price list,
1924.
Catalogs,
1902-1938.
Guiterman Brothers
141.G.19.8F
7
Correspondence,
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.
141.G.19.9B
8
Scrapbook,
1919-1933.
1 volume.
Includes advertisements, catalogs, and correspondence.
Herman K. Lavin Company
141.G.19.9B
8
Catalogs,
undated, 1952-1970.
2 folders.
Marketed under "Land-N-Lakes Sportswear."
142.H.3.6F-1
12
Scrapbook,
1944-1967.
1 volume.
Advertisements, clippings, and photographs.
142.F.18.8F
11
Stock certificates,
1955-1965.
1 volume.
Wacouta Company
141.G.19.9B
8
Articles of incorporation, bylaws, and minutes,
1950-1962.
Includes samples of stock certificates.
Tax returns,
1950-1960.
Check register,
June 1950-April 1962.
Field & Stream Apparel Company
141.G.19.9B
8
Catalogs,
undated, 1997-1998.