Pioneer Tailoring Company salesman's sample case, 1930-1931

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Summary

Creator:
Pioneer Tailoring Company and John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History
Abstract:
Pioneer Tailoring Company was a direct-to-consumer manufacturer of tailor-made menswear, based in Chicago and active approximately from the 1900s-1960s. Collection consists of a sales representative's wooden case that held order forms; measurement and tailoring instructions; stationery; measuring devices; sales instruction and promotional literature; and fabric samples. Sales representatives would meet clients, take measurements and note fabric choices, collect deposits and forward the information to a factory in Chicago that would make the suit or overcoat to the client's measurements and specifications, then ship the finished products back to the customer. Acquired as part of the John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History.
Extent:
2.3 Linear Feet
Language:
Materials in English.
Collection ID:
RL.13160

Background

Scope and content:

Collection consists of a sales representative's case that includes order forms; measurement and tailoring instructions; stationery; measuring devices; sales instruction and promotional literature; and fabric samples. Sales representatives would meet clients, take measurements and note fabric choices, collect deposits and forward the information to a factory in Chicago that would make the suit or overcoat to the client's measurements and specifications, then ship the finished products back to the customer.

Biographical / historical:

Pioneer Tailoring Company was a direct-to-consumer manufacturer of tailor-made menswear, based in Chicago and active approximately from the 1900s-1960s.

Acquisition information:
The Pioneer Tailoring Company salesman's sample case was received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a purchase in 2002.
Processing information:

Processed by Richard Collier, August 2025;

Accessions described in this collection guide: 2002-0002.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Subjects

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Subjects:
Clothing and dress
Direct selling
Men's clothing
Tailoring
Names:
John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History
Places:
Chicago (Ill.) -- Commerce

Contents

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Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the Rubenstein Library's Citations, Permissions, and Copyright guide.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Pioneer Tailoring Company salesman's sample case, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.