Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the Alan and Elaine Levitt Advertisement Collection

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.0303
Creators:
Levitt, Alan
Levitt, Elaine
Dates:
1920 - 1960s.
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
5 Cubic feet
5 boxes, 3 oversized folders
Repository:
Advertising materials relating to pharmaceutical and other supplies as part of the stock of retail pharmacies from 1920 to the early 1960s, mostly advertisements for cigars, cigarettes, Coca-Cola, Kodak, veterinary supplies, and patent medicines.

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
The collection consists primarily of advertising materials related to pharmaceutical and other supplies part of the stock of retail pharmacies during the period from the 1920s to the 1960s. Much of it was in the store when the Levitts purchased the Sherman Pharmacy.
The majority is advertisements for such items as cigars, cigarettes, Coca Cola, Kodak products, veterinary supplies, and patent medicines. There are a few photographs of local (Sherman) interest and a few booklets and pamphlets, including a high school yearbook.
The material is in excellent condition. It has been left in the boxes and folders in which it was received from the Division of Medical Sciences.

Arrangement

Arrangement
The collection is arranged into two series.
Series 1: Organizational Files, 1922-1995
Subseries 1.1: Administration, 1923-1994
Subseries 1.2: Affiliates and Offices, 1922-1964
Series 2: Subject Files, 1851-1990

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
Alan Levitt, who owned and operated a pharmacy in Sherman (Chautauqua County), New York, and his wife Elaine, gave to the National Museum of American History a number of pharmaceutically related objects and a collection of archival graphic materials, primarily advertising in nature. The pharmacy from which the materials came was known as Sherman Pharmacy and was located at 105 West Main Street, Sherman, New York. It was opened by James Tuft on May 9, 1895. The Levitts' decision to sell and leave Sherman was made in 1983 after about ten years of operating the store. The correspondence with respect to making the gift to the Smithsonian indicates the move was related to a desire to be part of the Jewish culture in a larger community than Sherman, which has no synagogue, for example. The Levitts had one small child and a second was on the way. By early January 1986, the Levitts had sold the pharmacy and bought a house at 2551 East 26th Street, Brooklyn, New York, 11235. Mr. Levitt was employed as a pharmacist in a state institution in Manhattan.

Administration

Author
Grace M. Angle
Custodial History
Collection transferred to the Archives Center from the Division of Medical Sciences (now Division of Medicine and Science), April 29, 1988.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The materials were given by Alan and Elaine Levitt, September 1984.
Processing Information
Processed by Grace M. Angle (volunteer), Grace M. Angle June, 1988; supervised by Robert Harding, archivist. Revised by David Haberstich, March 21, 2005.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Preferred Citation
Alan and Elaine Levitt Advertisement Collection, 1920-early 1960s, National Museum of American History.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Coca-Cola (Trademark) Title Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Chautauqua County (N.Y.) -- 1920-1970 Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Patent medicines Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Kodak (Brand name) Title Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Business records -- 20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Cigarettes -- advertising -- 1920-1970 Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
advertising -- History -- 1920-1970 Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
advertising -- Photography -- Apparatus and supplies -- 1920-1970 Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Cigars Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Pharmaceutical industry -- 1920-1970 Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Pharmacology -- 1920-1970 Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photography -- Apparatus and supplies Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Pharmacists -- 1920-1970 Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Drugstores Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Veterinary supplies industry -- 1920-1970 Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Booklets -- 1920-1970 Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Advertisements Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Eastman Kodak Co. Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Medical Sciences Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Sherman Pharmacy (Sherman, N.Y.) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
Business Number: Phone: 202-633-3270
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