Overview of the Collection
Historical NoteAdolph and William Warshal opened a pawn shop in downtown Seattle in 1922. In 1936 it moved to First and Madison and expanded into sporting goods, which became its primary business during the decades it remained at that location. Two branch stores were opened in the 1950s and 1960s, one in Ravenna and one near Northgate, but both eventually closed. However, the main store continued to thrive and became a downtown landmark with a loyal customer base buying hunting and fishing gear, cameras, and camping and sports equipment. Many employees worked at the store for decades. Adolph's son Jerry began working at the store at the age of 12 and eventually took over the business. In 1997 he sold the building to developers who planned to build a hotel and condominiums on the site, and the store closed in 2001. Content DescriptionThis collection consists of business records from Warshal's Sporting Goods, including advertising, account books, forms, and an employee manual. Photographs are mainly of gunsmiths at work but also include store interiors and portraits. A large portion of the collection is made up of letters from gun purchasers, apparently saved for law enforcement purposes. Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Access :
The collection is open to the public by appointment. Restrictions on Use :The Museum of History & Industry is the owner of the materials in the Sophie Frye Bass Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from MOHAI before any reproduction use. The museum does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners. Preferred Citation :Warshal's Sporting Goods Records, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle Administrative InformationDetailed Description of the Collection
Subjects
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