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Kalamazoo Sled Company Collection

 Collection
Identifier: RH-A-3345

Scope and Contents

The collection is composed of one scrapbook from the Kalamazoo Sled Company from 1931-1952. The scrapbook is filled with advertisements of sleds, the majority of them made by the Kalamazoo Sled Company.

Dates

  • Creation: 1931-1952

Creator

Biographical / Historical

The Kalamazoo Sled Company began in 1894 when a group of investors purchased the Page Manufacturing Company that made broom handles and merged it with the Columbia Sled Company. The company eventually produced eighty different sled styles and branched into lawn furniture, folding chairs and educational toys. Located on East Crosstown Parkway, the Gladding Corporation purchased the company in 1968 and moved all operations out of Kalamazoo in 1972.

Extent

1.00 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Source of Acquisition

Starring Endowment

Related Materials

Kalamazoo Sled Company, written by Alex Forist, Kalamazoo Public Library staff, May 2005. Updated July 2005.

Physical Description

The collection amounts to 1.0 cubic feet and is composed of one scrapbook 14” x 12” x 1½” filled with advertisements of sleds, the majority of them made by the Kalamazoo Sled Company. The advertisements, most of which are dated, have been cut from newspapers and catalogs. They vary in size and are in black-and-white and color. They date from 1931 to 1952 and are arranged in chronological order. Some of the sources for the advertisements also are given. The advertisements are glued on the pages of the scrapbook. In addition, there are some loose separate items in a half Hollinger that were in the scrapbook including photographs, advertisements and newspaper clippings. The scrapbook and advertisements is in good condition. There is a slightly musty odor and there is some residue from the glue that can be seen on the other side of some of the pages. Some of the newspaper advertisements are slightly yellowed, but the ones in some level of color are in good condition. The pages of the scrapbook are yellowed especially at the ends and the cover, which is cardboard with fabric, is faded although the words 'Scrap Book' in gold still can be seen. There is some fading and tape residue and the string which ties the scrapbook together is slightly loose.

Title
Kalamazoo Sled Company Collection Finding Aid
Status
Completed
Author
Lynn Houghton
Date
2014-04-02
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Western Michigan University Archives & Regional History Collections Repository

Contact:
Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Legacy Collections Center
1650 Oakland Drive
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5307 US
(269) 387-8490