Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the Joseph Magnin Poster Collection, 1963-1968

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.0355
Creators:
Magnin, Ellen Newman
Magnin (Joseph) Stores
Magnin, Donald
Brader-Ashley, Betty, 1924-1986
Dates:
1963-1968
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
0.3 Cubic feet
1 oversized folder
Repository:

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
Collection primarily consists of 103 color and black and white illustrations advertising merchandise for the store. There are also illustrations promoting the staff and store events. In addition, store decorations are also included among the materials. Collection is arranged in three series: Series 1, Merchandise, 1963-1968; Series 2, Fashion Perspectives, 1967; and Series 3, Events and Holidays,1963-1968.,

Arrangement

Arrangement
The collection is arranged in three series.
Series 1, Merchandise, 1963-1968
Series 2, Fashion Perspectives, 1967
Series 3, Events, circa 1963-1968

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
In 1913, Joseph Magnin (son of Isaac Magnin, founder of the I. Magnin stores) founded a department store bearing his name in San Francisco, California. In 1967, the chain reached its peak popularity with over thirty-two stores. It had become one of the premier luxury department store chains in the country. The Magnin family sold the chain to Amfac Corporation in 1969. In September 1984, bankruptcy closed the remaining twenty-four stores.
During the 1960s, Betty Brader (born 1923) became one of the chief illustrators of Joseph Magnin posters; this collection is comprised primarily of her work. She also worked for Neiman-Marcus, Saks, Franklin Simon, and various advertising agencies. Brader won numerous awards throughout her career for her innovative illustrations. Her style of fashion illustration is copied widely today by fashion illustrators. The posters she produced for Joseph Magnin were highly acclaimed in the San Francisco Bay Area. Brader died in 1986 after a long illness.

Administration

Author
Jennifer Snyder and Vanessa Broussard-Simmons
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was donated to the Archives Center of the National Museum of American History in November 1984 by members of the Magnin family.
Processing Information
Processed by Jennifer Snyder, archives technician, 1997; supervised by Vanessa Broussard-Simmons, archivist.

Using the Collection

Preferred Citation
Joseph Magnin Poster Collection, 1963-1968, Archives Center, National Museum of American History. Gift of Donald and Ellen Newman Magnin
Conditions Governing Use
Reproduction restricted due to copyright or trademark. Museum received non-exclusive rights.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.

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Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
advertising Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Posters Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Fashion merchandising Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Costume design Topical 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
archivescenter@si.edu