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Nathan Stein family papers

 Collection
Identifier: D.206

Biographical / Historical note

Nathan Stein, a pioneer in America's clothing industry, learned to be a tailor in Teplitz, Austria. As a young man Stein emigrated to the United States, settling in Geneva, NY in 1854. In 1865 he moved to Rochester and acquired an interest in the firm G & J Wile, Cauffman & Co. Three years later he organized Stein & Solomon, which continued in the wholesale clothing business through various name and personnel changes until 1883 when it became Stein, Bloch & Co., a leading manufacturer of high quality clothes. In 1890, the Stein-Bloch Co. was one of the first clothing companies to incorporate and Stein was its president. Nathan Stein and Leopold Bloch remained partners for the rest of their careers, dying within months of each other in 1908. Stein was survived by his wife of more than 50 years Mina, their four daughters Rose, Amelia (Molly), Jane, Bertha (Birdie) and three sons Louis, Abram and Simon.

Scope and Contents

The collection consists primarily of materials relating to "Shingleside," a country home in Charlotte, NY designed for Stein by Claude Bragdon, but it also includes several family photographs. In 1916, Nathan Stein's family commissioned Carl Raschen to make drawings of the house and grounds. Raschen (1882-1961) was a painter, illustrator, etcher and one-time teacher at the Chicago Art Institute whose work appeared in many newspapers and periodicals of the day. Plates were made from the drawings to illustrate a privately printed booklet; some of the copper plates are also in this collection.

Creator

Dates

  • Creation: 1898-1916

Language of Materials

English

Extent

3 box(es)

Access

The Nathan Stein Family Papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books, Special Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.

Use

In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

A copy of the booklet may be found in the Department's pamphlet collection. Bragdon's architectural drawings for "Shingleside" may be found in D.87 Bragdon Architectural Drawings. Materials relating to Stein's businesses may be found in the Stein, Adler & Co; Stein-Bloch & Co. Papers

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], Nathan Stein Family Papers, D.206, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester

Related Archival Materials

Stein, Adler & Co; Stein-Bloch & Co. Papers Claude Bragdon Architectural Drawings CX 145: Folio volume containing tributes to and obituaries of Nathan Stein and two photographs of Stein.

Title
Nathan Stein family papers
Author
Finding aid prepared by Rare Books and Special Collections staff
Date
undated
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Library Details

Part of the Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Library

Contact:
Rochester NY 14627-0055 USA