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Portrait of Leopold H. Guldman, Denver, ca.1920-1929
Golden Eagle Dry Goods bill of sale for shoes, Denver, ca. 1900
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Collection
Overview
Creator: Golden Eagle Dry Goods Company
Title: Leopold H. Guldman and Golden Eagle Dry Goods Company Records
Inclusive Dates:1880-1936
Size: 43 linear ft.; 238 Boxes and Bound Ledgers
Processed By: Jeanne Abrams
Abstract
Leopold H. Guldman (1853-1936) founded the Golden Eagle Dry Goods Company of Denver in 1879, eight years after his arrival from his native Germany. He was one of Colorado's leading pioneer merchants and philanthropists. By the late 1870s he had come to the Colorado mountains in search of silver, but found it more profitable to open the Golden Eagle Clothing stores in Leadville and Cripple Creek, Colorado. In 1879, he moved to Denver and opened the third and most successful Golden Eagle store. This store was Denver's leading popular-price department store for many years. His vigorous advertising campaigns, combined with an aggressive policy of buying and selling for cash only, soon established record sales for him. The rapid growth of the Golden Eagle necessitated continual expansion and remodeling. By 1901, its five-story building occupied most of the block at 16th and Lawrence Streets. The store was closed and the stock liquidated upon Guldman's death in 1936. He donated the first Jewish Community Center, helped found Temple Emanuel, National Jewish Hospital, Beth Israel Hospital, and was a key figure in numerous other charitable endeavors. The records of the Golden Eagle were transferred by Deed of Gift from the University of Colorado Norlin Library to the Beck Archives in 1994. It represents all phases of the company's diversification, including general accounts, purchased and receiving records, sales and shipping records, etc. Although a few of the records extend back into the 1880's, most of the material covers the period from 1900 to 1936. The records are reflective of Denver's economic growth during that period.
Scope and Content
The records of the Golden Eagle represent all phases of the company's diversification, including general accounts, payroll records, sales and stock records, department records, incoming and outgoing letters and telegrams, contracts, and various personal and miscellaneous items. The bulk of the material represents the period from 1900 to 1936. Unfortunately, few of the records represent the company's nascent period in the nineteenth century; in fact, the earliest complete record extends back only to 1885.
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