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Series 1. Eleanor Beard business records, 1953-1957, 1976

 Series

Scope and Contents

Includes draft correspondence written by Haon to frequent customers, as well as sketches of merchandise, demonstrating her transition from designer to merchandiser. Additionally, receipts, invoices, and letters accompanied by fabric swatches exchanged between the Job's Lane showroom, the Park Avenue showroom, the Eleanor Beard headquarters in Kentucky, and individual customers throughout the metropolitan New York-area provide evidence of an intricate supply chain for customized work, including both home items and garments such as skirts, shorts, jackets, and sweaters. It appears that Haon earned commissions on sales and on custom designs for which she proposed patterns and fabrics for such projects as comforter recovering. Correspondence between Haon and the other Eleanor Beard offices also indicates that she was responsible for tracking down missing payments and handling customer refunds.

Dates

  • 1953-1957
  • 1976