Jantzen, Inc. publications, photographs, and ephemera
Scope and Contents
The collection consists of catalogs, a 1960 souvenir book, newsletter materials, and photographs relating to Jantzen Knitting Mills and to company picnics and employee reunions. Newsletter materials include clippings and pages from the company newsletter, "Intraviews," as well as a complete issue from 1971. Among the photographs are three rolled panoramic group photographs of company picnics from 1928, 1935, and 1954.
Dates
- Creation: 1928-1989
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.
Administrative History
In 1910, John A. Zehntbauer, Carl C. Jantzen, and C. R. Zehntbauer founded the Portland Knitting Company in Portland, Oregon. The firm soon began to specialize in producing swimwear; in 1918 it changed its name to Jantzen Knitting Mills. Jantzen published its first national advertisements in 1921, and by the 1930s was photographing film stars such as Ginger Rogers and Johnny Weissmuller wearing its products. The firm was also well-known for its "diving girl" logo. The company renamed itself Jantzen, Inc. in 1954. Jantzen was purchased by Blue Bell in 1980; in 2002, Perry Ellis International purchased the Jantzen brand.
Extent
0.36 Cubic Feet (1 letter document case)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Catalogs, souvenir book, and newsletter materials from Jantzen, Inc. (also known as Jantzen Knitting Mills), as well as photographs relating to company picnics and reunions. Jantzen was founded as the Portland Knitting Company in 1910 in Portland, Oregon, and changed its name to Jantzen Knitting Mills in 1918. The firm became a nationally known swimwear manufacturer in the 1920s and 1930s. In 1954, it changed its name to Jantzen, Inc.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Panoramic photographs require assistance to view. Contact library staff.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Alan Miller, October 2019 (RL2019-136).
Subject
- Jantzen Knitting Mills (Organization)
- Title
- Guide to Jantzen, Inc. photographs, publications, and ephemera
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Jeffrey A. Hayes
- Date
- 2021
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is written in English.
Repository Details
Part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library Repository
1200 SW Park Ave.
Portland OR 97205 United States
5033065204
5033065240
libreference@ohs.org