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Document 40637

JOHN WANAMAKER AND COMPANY: JOHN WANAMAKER
Six months before his death, he thanks Edward A. Filene for a booklet on labor issues.
TLS: "John Wanamaker", 1p, 5½x9. Philadelphia, 1922 July 1. On his personalized blue stationery to Edward A. Filene, Boston, Massachusetts. In full: "This is to thank you for the little pamphlet 'Why Men Strike.' Very Truly Yours," WANAMAKER had pioneered the concept of the department store when he opened a group of specialty shops under one roof in Philadelphia in 1875. At the time of this letter, the 84-year-old retailer was still active in John Wanamaker and Company, which had opened a second store in New York City in 1896. FILENE (see Lot 276), also an innovator in retail, was President of Wm. Filene's Sons Co. in Boston. The pamphlet that he sent on organized labor reflected an issue of concern to both. After a decade of union growth encouraged by the administration of President Woodrow Wilson, organized labor was declining in membership and influence in the 1920s. Growing wages, fear of radicalism, union exclusion of unskilled workers and company pressure all contributed to this decline, but the stagnant wages of textile workers, and their subsequent dissatisfaction, were of concern to retailers at the time of this letter. Wanamaker was a leader in offering "fringe benefits" to his employees, who enjoyed paid vacations, health care, life insurance, pensions and financial aid for further education. Receipt stamp at top is dated "July 7, 1922" in unknown hand. Tape remnants at left and right blank margins. Overall, fine condition.

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