Hampton Coat Co. collection, 1930-1950s
Scope and Contents
The bulk of this collection is comprised of sketches of women's outerwear produced by the Hampton Coat Co.. Additional materials include press clippings, reorder charts, correspondence and accounting records.
Dates
- Creation: 1930-1950s (bulk circa 1930-1949)
Creator
- Hampton Coat Co. (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
Access is open to researchers by appointment at the Fashion Institute of Technology Library, Department of Special Collections and FIT Archive. If you have any questions, or wish to schedule an appointment contact us at [email protected] or call (212) 217-4385.
Conditions Governing Use
The Department of Special Collections and FIT Archive does not own copyright for all material held in its physical custody. It is the researcher's obligation to abide by and satisfy copyright law (http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#108) when copying or using materials (including digital materials) found in or made available from the department. When possible, the department will inform a researcher about the copyright status of material, the researcher's obligations with regard to such material, and, wherever possible, the owner or owners of the copyrights. Any and all reproduction of originals is at the archivist's discretion.
Biographical / Historical
Founded in 1925 by Helen Cookman, Isadore Appel and A. Silverstein, Hampton Coat Co. was a 7th Avenue manufacturer of coats and suits. Cookman originally served as Vice President and Sales Manager until she bought out her two partners in 1928. in 1930, Cookman took on the role of head designer and the company moved its operations from 251 W. 36th St. to the more exclusive custom district, taking up residence at 15 W. 47th St. in 1931. Even amid the Great Depression, the company remained firmly committed to quality. Cookman believed quality and line were the two most important elements in a garment. The company produced moderate to high priced garments; one of the best-selling skirts in 1931 retailed at $45, which would be about $700 for inflation in 2015 dollars. Last mention of the company appearing in Women's Wear Daily was in 1940, noting financial troubles and a pending reorganization by Cookman to try to keep the business afloat.
Full Extent
1 placeholder : 1.5 linear feet, sketches, press clippings, correspondence, accounting records, photographs
Language of Materials
Undetermined
Arrangement
This collection is organized into six series: Series 1: Sketches, Series 2: Press clippings, Series 3: Swatch samples, Series 4: Reorder charts, Series 5: Helen Cookman Championship Tweeds, Series 6: Accounting records.
Custodial History
Arrangement, description, and/or archival processing by unknown archivist and April Calahan with additional edits by Samantha Levin in 2021, FIT, NY, NY, USA.
Existence and Location of Originals
The Library of the Fashion Institute of Technology, Department of Special Collections and FIT Archive, 27th St. at 7th Ave., NY, NY , USA, 10001
General
Founded in 1925 by Helen Cookman, Isadore Appel and A. Silverstein, Hampton Coat Co. was a 7th Avenue manufacturer of coats and suits. Cookman originally served as Vice President and Sales Manager until she bought out her two partners in 1928. in 1930, Cookman took on the role of head designer and the company moved its operations from 251 W. 36th St. to the more exclusive custom district, taking up residence at 15 W. 47th St. in 1931. Even amid the Great Depression, the company remained firmly committed to quality. Cookman believed quality and line were the two most important elements in a garment. The company produced moderate to high priced garments; one of the best-selling skirts in 1931 retailed at $45, which would be about $700 for inflation in 2015 dollars. Last mention of the company appearing in Women's Wear Daily was in 1940, noting financial troubles and a pending reorganization by Cookman to try to keep the business afloat.
General
Published
Subject
- Cookman, Helen (subject, Person)
- Title
- Hampton Coat Co. collection, 1930-1950s
- Date
- 2021-01-29
- Description rules
- Aat; Ansi; Dacs; Dcmi; Isad(g); Iso; Lo C; Niso; Etc
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and FIT Archive Repository