The records of Zahn's Department Store date mostly from the 1920's and 1930's. They provide documentation on the operations of a large urban retailer during that period. Of particular interest are those records representing Zahn's scientific approach to marketing. Also of note are advertising and promotional materials, along with catalogs for store fixtures, all of which document the designs and cultural values of the 1920's and 1930's. The collection is arranged in eleven series: Family Papers, Business Correspondence, Merchandising Studies, Advertising and Promotion, Blueprints and Plans, Maintenance and Supplies, Suppliers Catalogs and Fliers, Business Forms, Contracts, Insurance Records, and Miscellany.
Most of the FAMILY PAPERS (1924-1941) consist of Russell Zahn's personal correspondence and papers relating to his professional activities. Included here are materials concerning the Racine Rotary Club and the Racine YMCA. Documenting Russell Zahn's participation in retailers' associations are two speeches he delivered at conventions of the National Retailers' Dry Goods Association (NRDGA).
The BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE (1935-1949) includes both general correspondence and files devoted to specific topics: taxes, trademark infringements, and customer mail orders. The general business correspondence dates from the years 1937 and 1938 and pertains largely to routine business such as supply orders and personnel matters. Both incoming and outgoing letters are included, and the materials are arranged by name of correspondent and thereunder in reverse chronological order.
The series MERCHANDISING STUDIES (1926-1936) contains primarily records of the study conducted by the University of Michigan's Bureau of Business Research. This series includes monthly reports of merchandising figures from Research Group B. The Michigan Business Studies included in this series present findings based upon statistics gathered by the Bureau. None of the included volumes dates from the years of Zahn's participation (1934-1936), but these materials illustrate the study's basic methodology.
The series ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION (1921-1948) documents a variety of direct mail campaigns, the most sophisticated of which was one conducted by the John Service company of New York from 1929 to 1931. Items associated with this project include analyses of accounts, sample letters, and reports on mailings and resulting sales. This series also contains advertising fliers, envelope stuffers, and other direct mail pieces. Included are 66 issues of Zahnettes, a monthly illustrated advertising brochure which reflects the fashions, designs, and attitudes of the 1920's.
BLUEPRINTS AND PLANS (1927-1937) date from Zahn's first decade of occupancy at the Monument Square store. Among the firms represented here are the Grand Rapids Designing Service and C.A. Wheeler of Chicago. Blueprints are arranged alphabetically by name of firm. Where possible, the contents list below notes the name of firm, brief description of blueprint, name of designer or draughtsman, and date.
MAINTENANCE AND SUPPLIES (1930-1950) contains alphabetically arranged subject files and correspondence, contracts, clippings, catalogs and samples. Topics represented include display and supply fixtures, lighting, heating, maintenance, marking, and wrapping.
SUPPLIERS' CATALOGS AND FLIERS are alphabetically arranged by name of firm. This series overlaps somewhat with MAINTENANCE AND SUPPLIES.
The series BUSINESS FORMS includes two sets of forms: ditto forms used exclusively by Zahn's, and printed forms. The folder of ditto forms contains a descriptive list of the forms.
