Museum of History & Industry
Sophie Frye Bass Library
2700 24th Avenue East
Seattle, WA 98112
Phone: 206-324-1126
URL: http://www.seattlehistory.org



Guide to the Frederick & Nelson Records, 1901-1991


1993.43





Finding aid prepared by Jody Hendrickson

Finding aid encoded by, 2006
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.


Overview of the Collection

 
Repository Name:
 

Museum of History & Industry
Sophie Frye Bass Library

2700 24th Avenue East
Seattle, WA 98112
Phone: 206-324-1126
URL: http://www.seattlehistory.org

 
Collection Number:
 

1993.43

 
Creator:
 

Frederick & Nelson

 
Title:
 

Frederick & Nelson Records

 
Dates:
 

1901-1991 (inclusive)

 
Quantity:
 

46 boxes
42 linear feet
plus oversize materials

 
Languages:
 

Collection materials are in English. 

 
Summary:
 

Papers, photographs, scrapbooks, recordings and audio-visual materials from the Frederick & Nelson department store, primarily from the flagship store in Seattle. Photographs includes images of early Frederick & Nelson stores, the downtown Seattle store, and a large number of photographs of Frederick & Nelson window and store displays, including World War II related displays and the annual Santa Claus window.

 
Location of Collection:
 

Library Annex I, 3.4-5.6
5A.4.3 and .5 (16 mm films)

 

Historical Note

Frederick & Nelson was one of Seattle’s foremost department stores and was considered by many to be a Seattle institution. Founded by partners D.E. Frederick and Nels Nelson in 1890 as a second hand furniture store on Seattle’s Front Street, the store expanded steadily in its early years, starting with the sale of new furniture after the acquisition of the Queen City Furniture Co. in 1891. Early on, the store provided home delivery service, using its fleet of horse drawn delivery wagons. Among the store’s early customers were the local Native Americans, prospectors heading to the Yukon and the new hotels which had sprung up to accommodate the prospectors.

The store moved into the Rialto building at 2nd and Madison in 1897; the business gradually developed into a department store under the partners’ philosophy that their store should provide whatever merchandise their customers ask for. By 1906, Frederick & Nelson had annexed more space in the Rialto building, opened its first tearoom and introduced ready-to-wear men’s and women’s fashions, a novel alternative to fine clothing made-to-order.

Founder Nels Nelson fell ill and died on a New York bound steamer in 1907. Under the leadership of D.E. Frederick, Frederick & Nelson continued to grow, and by 1914, D.E. decided to build a six-story store at 5th Avenue and Pine Street. Though detractors referred to the decision to build outside of the city’s retail district as “Frederick’s folly,” the store, designed by architect John Graham, was an instant success. The new store included a tearoom, beauty salon, post office, auditorium, nursery and a fully equipped medical facility. The store also hosted many events, such as the weekly fashion shows staged each Wednesday in the tearoom.

In 1929, at age 69, D.E. Frederick decided to retire, selling the store to Marshall Field & Co. for six million dollars. In spite of the initial concern of its customers about Frederick & Nelson becoming part of a vast retail system, the store continued to grow both as a business and as a Seattle tradition. Marshall Fields executive William Street was hired to run Frederick & Nelson in 1938, and he guided the store through its successful period from the recovery after the Great Depression, through the World War II period, the post-war boom and the store expansion and growth of the 1950s. For example, Frederick & Nelson became involved in the war effort in the 1940s, opening a temporary branch store on the grounds of the Boeing’s No. 2 plant and winning a special merit award for its promotion of war bonds and stamps in the war loan drive. Later, as people began moving to the suburbs after the war, the first of the suburban branches opened in the Bellevue Shopping Square in 1946. After a major renovation, the flagship Seattle store reopened with 10 floors above ground and 12 shopping levels.

Over the years, Frederick & Nelson had supported the local community, for example by promoting the Seattle Symphony with special display windows and its black tie “Symphoneve” benefits. Its auditorium was also used by art groups as well as by civic organizations.

Though the tradition of in-store Christmas caroling by staff began as early as1918, the store tradition of the Santa Claus window at 6th and Pine began in 1943, with children posing with Santa for a holiday photograph.

Business eventually began to decline as discount retailers attracted customers and increasing control by the Marshall Fields inhibited local decision-making. In 1982, Batus, Inc. bought Marshall Fields & Co. and Frederick & Nelson became part of Batus’ retail division. Continuing to lose money, Frederick & Nelson was sold in 1989 to local investors who sought to restore the store’s reputation. Losses continued to mount, however, and the store filed for bankruptcy in 1991, finally closing its doors on May 31, 1992. The building was sold to Nordstrom, which reopened the building as its flagship store in 1998.

Content Description

The collection is comprised of textual materials, photographs, scrapbooks and audio-visual materials from the Frederick & Nelson department store, primarily the Seattle store. The bulk of the collection seems to have originated from the Sales Promotion department, though the collection also includes materials from the Human Resources and Training departments, Food Service department, and Display and Sign department.

Sales Promotion materials include catalogs and mailers, and files about special events at the store such as autograph parties, fashion shows and other promotional events. This series also contains historical materials about the store which seem to have been collected for use in promotional and anniversary publications over the years, and specifically for use in the Frederick & Nelson centennial book “More than a Store” by Robert Specter. These materials include clippings, memos and ephemera such as menus and event programs.

Food service materials include a collection of menus from the various Frederick & Nelson eating establishments, such as the Tea Room and the Men’s Grill. Human Resources materials include over 70 years of the staff newsletter “Between Ourselves”, and training manuals and sales procedure guides, which illustrate the detailed attention that Frederick & Nelson paid to customer relations.

The Photographs series parallels the textual materials, containing photographs of in-store events such as book signings and fashion shows, and store anniversary events. Historical photos include images of store founders D.E. Frederick and Nels Nelson, and store executives, managers and staff over the years. Other photographs document the early Frederick & Nelson store, including the store in the Rialto building, and horse drawn delivery carts and delivery trucks from the early 1900s. Later store photos document the downtown Seattle flagship store as well as the several branch stores, including store openings and the remodel of the Seattle store in the early 1950s. The photographs also document interior store displays and window displays between 1939 and 1977, including the annual Christmas display and Santa Claus windows, and special displays such as the many war bonds promotional displays of the mid-1940s.

Audio-visual materials include recordings of radio and television ads, videotapes of fashion shows and films of Uncle Mistletoe puppet shows at the store in the 1960s.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into the following series and subseries. Many subseries are further arranged into subdivisions in the complete inventory.Materials within series and subseries are arranged roughly chronologically.

  • Series 1: Human Resources and Training Department
    • Subseries A: Staff newsletters
    • Subseries B: Staff training manuals
    • Subseries C: Other staff manuals and employment related papers
  • Series 2: Food Service
    • Subseries A: Menus
    • Subseries B: Other materials
  • Series 3: Marketing and Sales Promotion Department
    • Subseries A: Advertising
    • Subseries B: Marketing
    • Subseries C: Special Events
    • Subseries D: Miscellaneous publicity files
    • Subseries E: Historical Materials
  • Series 4: Display and Sign Departments
  • Series 5: Photographs
    • Subseries A: Historical photographs
    • Subseries B: Publicity photographs
    • Subseries C: "Between Ourselves" photographs
    • Subseries D: Centennial Book
    • Subseries E: Display
  • Series 6: Audiovisual materials
    • Subseries A: Videotape
    • Subseries B: Audiotape
    • Subseries C: Film (16mm)
    • Subseries D: Phonograph records
  • Series 7: Scrapbooks

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information 

Donated by the Sabey Companies in 1993

Processing Note 

Processed by Jackie Lawson in 1994, Jennifer Evans in 1996, and Jody Hendrickson in 2006.

At the time of the final processing of the collection, it was not clear how much of the arrangement was the result of original order and how much had been imposed during previous processing. Materials were arranged according to department of origin, to the extent that this could be discerned.

Separated Materials 

These materials are part of a donation that also included a number of artifacts. These artifacts are cataloged and stored separately by MOHAI's Collections Department.

Use of the Collection

Alternative Forms Available 

Selected images available in digital format in the Museum of History & Industry  (text/html) online collections

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 

Frederick & Nelson Records, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle

Related Information

Bibliography 

Specter, Robert. More than a store: Frederick & Nelson, 1890 to 1990. Bellevue, Wash. Documentary Book Publishers Corp., 1990.

Subjects

Frederick, Donald E.
Nelson, Nels B., 1854-1907
Marshall Field & Company
Seattle (Wash.)
Photographic prints
Department store Santas--Washington (State)--Seattle
Department stores--Washington (State)--Seattle
Employees--Washington (State)--Seattle
Shopping--Washington (State)--Seattle

Detailed Description of the Collection

 

Series 1:  Human Resources and Training Departments

 
Container(s)
Description
Dates
   
Subseries A:   Staff newsletters
 
 
box
1
folder
1-12

"Between Ourselves"
  1918-1978
 
2 1-2
"Between Ourselves"
  1979-1986
 
3-5
"First"
  1986-1991
 
6-7
Correspondence about "First" and proofs
  1986-1991
   
Subseries B:  Staff training manuals
 
 
8
"Store Procedure" booklets
  1929-1942
 
9-10
"System book" booklets (called "Floor Audit System Book" after 1960)
  1929-1972
 
11
Pamphlets on selling principles and standards
  undated
 
12
Merchandise directory; store information for summer visitors
  1933-1935
 
13
Employee manuals by department
  1938-1969
 
4"x6" booklets for each employee position with directions about personal and departmental appearance, customer contact and descriptions of general responsibilities and particular duties.
 
14
The Frederick and Nelson Way (general employee manual)
  1943-1990
 
15
Frederick and Nelson and You
  circa 1944
 
16
Guide to writing business letters
  circa 1945
 
18
Manual for Secretaries and Stenographers
  1946
 
19
Manual of Sales Promotion Policies and Procedures guidelines for Sales Associate productivity reviews
  1951 undated
 
3 1
Recruitment manual "Your career at Frederick and Nelson"
  before 1965
 
2
Guide to Good Leadership; leadership review
  1948 1965
 
3
Procedure for Catalog Orders
  1970 October
 
4-6
Electronic Sales Register System Book
  1979
 
7-10
Personnel policies and procedures
  circa 1980s
 
11
"Welcome to Frederick & Nelson," new employee brochure
  1985 September
 
12-15
Selling floor procedures
  circa 1987
 
16
Associate training packet
  circa 1990
 
17
"Professional Representative of Service Training"
  1990
 
18
"Training for our Future" training program
  1990
 
19-22
Management training program
  1990
 
23
"Reshaping the Present: Assessing our most valuable asset"
  1991 February
 
24
Holiday guide for staff
  1991
 
25
The Leadership Corps
  1991
 
26
Preparing for the next step: job strategies that work from Outplacement services
  1991
   
Subseries C:  Other staff manuals and employment related papers
 
 
27
Frederick & Nelson telephone directories
  1972-1981
 
28
Frederick & Nelson management and organization directories
  1969-1988
 
29
Daycare and Preschool Policies and Procedures Handbook
  undated
 
30
Employee insurance plan descriptions
  1978-1981
 
31
Metro pass subsidy program correspondence and brochure
  1981
 
32
Labor agreement
  1984
 
33
Miscellaneous memos to staff from personnel office
  1989
 
34
"Certification of Appreciation & Empowerment"
  circa 1990
 
35
Frederick & Nelson Employee Survey results prepared by Elway Research
  1990 March
 
unboxed

Employee poster "The Creation of Value"
 
 
oversize

 

Series 2:  Food Service

 
Container(s)
Description
Dates
   
Subseries A:  Menus
 
   
Menus by establishment
 
 
box
4
folder
1

Arcade Cafe
  1982-1983
 
2
The Azalea Room (Aurora Village store)
  circa 1960s
 
3
Cafe Fredericks
  1976
 
4
Caffetto Cafe
  1980s
 
5
Deli Buffet
  1985
 
6
Frango Restaurant
  1980s
 
7-11
Frederick and Nelson Restaurant
  1970-1983
 
12
Garden Room
  circa 1969
 
13
The Greenery
  1983; 1895; undated
 
14
The Grill
  1986
 
15
L'Express
  1982-1990
 
16
Men's Grill
  1963;undated
 
17-26
Paul Bunyan Room
  1940 1970s
 
27
Perkins Pub (Portland, Oregon)
  1985
 
28-39
Tea Room and Grill
  1927-1969
 
46

Oversize menus
 
   
Menus by type
 
 
4 folder
40

Beverage
  undated
 
41
Breakfast/brunch
  1970s-1980s
 
42
Children's
  undated
 
43
Dessert
  undated
 
44
Specials
  1969-1972 undated
   
Themed menus
  undated
 
45
Fruit festivals
 
 
46-47
Holiday menus
 
 
48-51
National and regional menus
 
 
52
"Seafare" menu
 
   
Subseries B:  Other materials
 
 
53
Paul Bunyan Room non-menu item list; preparation guidelines
  1974-1980
 
54-55
Tea Room special events programs
  1947-1957
 
56
Tea Room pamphlet
  circa 1952
 
57
Frederick and Nelson Restaurant discount card
  undated
 
58-65
Rene Ferterer's menu planning files containing menus with notes
  undated

 

Series 3:  Marketing & Sales Promotion Department

 
Container(s)
Description
Dates
   
Subseries A:  Advertising
 
 
box
5


Frederick & Nelson catalogs
  1940-1972
 
6

Frederick & Nelson catalogs
  1973-1979
 
7

Frederick & Nelson catalogs
  1980-1982
 
8

Frederick & Nelson catalogs
  1983-1985
 
9

Frederick & Nelson catalogs
  1986-1991
 
10 folder
1-2

Frederick & Nelson catalogs
  undated
 
3-5
Advertisements
  1913-1990
 
Mostly newspaper clippings of Frederick and Nelson advertisements. Includes theater programs and a typewritten description of Frederick and Nelson newspaper ad campaigns between 1892-1918.
 
6
Advertising proofs
  1958-1969
 
7
Correspondence and proofs for advertising in University of Washington publications
  1961-1966
 
8
Original artwork and paste ups for Christmas and Easter advertising
  undated
 
9
Press release about Milkmaid Beauty Clinic
  undated
 
10-12
Catalog costs and sales figures
  1951-1965
 
13
Christmas catalog-blank vendor agreement and copy information forms
  1958
 
14
Sales figures for "Uncle Mistletoe" flyer figures
  1958
 
15
Advertising copy for High School Shop mailer and Back-to-School Booklet
  circa 1960s
 
16
Timber Operator magazine ad for book by Stewart Holbrook
  1961
 
17
World's Fair campaign
  1962
 
18
Quotes for printing services for mailers and catalogs
  1963-1968
 
11 1
Correspondence on production of "January Beauty Buys" advertising mailer
  1962-1964
 
2
Correspondence on production of "Sale of sales" advertising mailer
  1963
 
3
New Yorker magazine ads
  1963
 
4
White Sale catalog
  1963-1970
 
Correspondence on production of the annual White Sale catalog. Also includes sales figures and sales estimates.
 
5
Correspondence and proofs: Christmas catalog
  1964-1965
 
6
Correspondence and proofs: Pre-Christmas mailers and enclosures
  1964-1967
 
7
Correspondence on Christmas postcards
  1964-1967
 
8
Ski School brochures
  1965-1978
 
9
Correspondence on lending library book jackets
  1966
 
10
Advertisements in American Camping Association camp directory
  1966-1968
 
Correspondences and copies of directories
 
11
Christmas catalogs
  1964-1969
 
Correspondence, production schedule, estimates
 
12
Direct mail information, including correspondence and receipts for bulk mailings using permit imprint
  1964-1970
 
13
Direct mail costs, sales figures, advertising records and analyses of performance
  1981-1986
 
14
Correspondence and proofs: television warranty
  1970
 
15
"Cookin' in Style" sales campaign
  1982
 
16
Examples of packaging from Frango products
  1986 March
 
17
Miscellaneous correspondence and price lists
  1965-1970
 
18
Internal sales promotion
  1981 December
 
19
92nd anniversary advertising strategy
  1982
 
20
"Downtown Seattle" volume of downtown store advertisements
  1988
 
21
Christmas catalog sales analysis by Manus Direct Response Marketing
  1989
 
22
"Uncle Mistletoe" and "Fearless Freddy" characters, original artwork and proofs for ads
  undated
 
23
"Freddy Bear" promotion
  1987-1988
 
Press releases, correspondence, schedules, public relations plan
 
24
Direct mail samples
  1980s-1991
 
25
"Focus," weekly department newsletter
  1990 April
 
box:oversize
46


Layout and negative for Frango ad
  undated
 
oversize
 
box
unboxed


Artwork for ad with Huskie football team and Uncle Mistletoe
  undated
 
oversize
 


Posters
  undated
 
oversize
Fur Care Program, "You're First," holiday meal service, Christmas, Frango, Santa photos, Junior Seahawks Club, Garden Gazebo, Frederick & Nelson's credit card and the Frederick & Nelson Dick Tracy Look-alike contest.
   
Subseries B:  Marketing
 
 
11 folder
26

Marketing reports
  circa 1980s
 
Competitive analyses, market analyses and income and spending estimates; recommendations for Oregon store
 
27
Marketing reports
  1980-1983
 
Tri-cities Market Analysis, Western Washington shopping Center comparisons, Seattle downtown Shoppers' survey summary; Batus, Inc.1983 Annual Report; data on store opening dates and square footage
 
28
Marketing report prepared by Komo/Katu Market Audits
  1991 March
   
Subseries C:  Special Events
  1946-1980
 
Folders include press releases, plans and clippings as well as promotional materials and publicity photographs received by Frederick & Nelson for the event. Photographs documenting many of these events are in the "Historical materials" subseries of the "Photographs" series under "Events and Promotions."
 
12 1
DuBarry Success School
  1946 June
 
2
Esther Dorothy show
  1946 August
 
3