Benjamin Selling papers

Collection

Identifier: Mss 66

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Papers of Benjamin Selling include three letterpress copybooks (1883-1887), which contain copies of Selling's business correspondence; two account books (1891-1892, 1900-1910); a scrapbook (1881-1925) containing letters that concern Selling's candidacy for U.S. Senate in 1912, a war relief campaign, and his Jewish Relief Committee work and other philanthropic activities; a scrapbook of newspaper clippings pertaining to Selling's U.S. Senate campaign; personal and political letters, including a pledge of support for Selling from members of the state Legislature for the position of House speaker, and a subscription list for support of the American Committee for Armenian and Syrian relief; and a 1912 certificate of nomination as a candidate for U.S. Senate.

Dates

Creation: 1869-1933

Creator

Selling, Benjamin, 1852-1931 (Person)

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.

Biographical note

Benjamin Selling, the son of German Jewish parents, was born in San Francisco, California, on April 29, 1852. After migrating with his family to Portland, Oregon, in 1862, Selling attended Portland Academy and worked for a number of years in his father's general merchandise store. He later established several successful businesses of his own, including Akin, Selling & Company (a wholesale boot and shoe business), Moyer Clothing Company, and Ben Selling, Clothier. Selling went on to serve in the state Legislature and was the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in 1912. He was also known for extensive philanthropic work.

Source: "Ben Selling (1852-1931)," by Elaine S. Friedman, Oregon Encyclopedia, https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/selling_ben_1852_1931_/

Extent

2 Cubic Feet (1 document case, 2 flat boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Papers of a Jewish American clothier and philanthropist of Portland, Oregon. Includes personal account books, scrapbooks containing correspondence and clippings, and some materials relating to Selling's business activities. Most materials relate to Selling's unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate in 1912 and to his charitable activities.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in two series:

Series 1: General materials, 1869-1933
Series 2: Letterpress copybooks, 1883-1887

Immediate Source of Acquisition

One account book (1900-1910), nomination certificate, and one scrapbook, gifts of Mrs. Laurence Selling in June 1959 (Lib. Acc. 8054), November 1959 (Lib. Acc. 8270), and April 1971 (Lib. Acc. 11894).