Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1927-1973 (Creation)
Level of description
collection
Extent and medium
38.83 linear feet of sketches, promotional materials, photographs and business records.
Context area
Name of creator
Administrative history
Founded in 1880 by William H. Davidow in New York City, W. H. Davidow Sons Co., Inc., and later Davidow, Inc. was one of a small group of leading American ready-to-wear manufacturers producing expensive women's clothing that sold nationwide in the better department stores and specialty shops during the first three quarters of the 20th century. The firm was known for its three-piece ensemble (coat and suit of matching or harmonizing fabrics), high quality designer reproductions, and their Daventree Sportswear line. The factory moved from 67 Bleecker Street to lower 5th Avenue and finally to 550 7th Avenue in the mid 1920's. William's sons Melville and Archibald and grandson Steven continued the business into the 1970's. Following Steven's death in 1972, the company was legally dissolved in 1976.
Archival history
Arrangement, description, and/or archival processing by May Shimizu in 2016. Updated by Vanessa Tascarella in 2020, and April Calahan and Samantha Levin in 2021, FIT, NY, NY, USA.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Donation by Davidow Inc. via Ms. A. McDougal (Archie Davidow's daughter), 1973 September 10
Content and structure area
Scope and content
This collections contains sketches, promotional materials, photographs and business records for the American women's coat and suit manufacturer Davidow Inc.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Collection level holds many folders with sketches. Four subsequent series levels contain documents.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Access is open to researchers by appointment at the Fashion Institute of Technology Library, Department of Special Collections and College Archives. If you have any questions, or wish to schedule an appointment contact us at fitlibsparc@fitnyc.edu or call (212) 217-4385.
Conditions governing reproduction
The Department of Special Collections and College Archives 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.
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Paper materials in this collection are very fragile. Handle with great care.
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
The Library of the Fashion Institute of Technology, Department of Special Collections and College Archives, 27th St. at 7th Ave., NY, NY , USA, 10001
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Davidow, William H. (Subject)
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
AAT; ANSI; DACS; DCMI; ISAD(G); ISO; LoC; NISO; etc
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English
Script(s)
- Latin