Processed
by:
Updated
Manuscript and Visual Collections Department
William Henry Smith Memorial Library
VOLUME OF COLLECTION: 1 manuscript box (.4 linear feet)
COLLECTION DATES: 1898-1939
PROVENANCE: Dave Buchanan, Vigo County Historical Society, 1205 South 6th Street, Terre Haute, Indiana 47802, 24 May 1991
RESTRICTIONS: None
COPYRIGHT: Held by
ALTERNATE FORMATS: None
OTHER FINDING AIDS: None
RELATED HOLDINGS: None
ACCESSION NUMBER: 1991.0481
NOTES: John G. Biel Papers (M 0599) were part of
this donation, however, because of their unrelated nature, two separate
collections were created. Mellor was
Walter H. Mellor (1875-1939) was born in
Mellor became associated with the Retail Jewelers Association in 1908. He was elected president of the Indiana Retail Jewelers Association in May, 1911, and re-elected the following year. In 1913 he was named a member of the executive committee, a job he held until the time of his retirement. In 1919 Mellor was named treasurer of the American National Jewelers Association and was re-elected in 1920. He became traveling secretary of the Roberts Memorial National Association for ten years, during which time he assisted in establishing state associations in six states.
After selling his jewelry store, Mellor became field secretary for the
American National Jewelers Association and solicited memberships in 34 states.
He also organized many jewelers clubs in cities he visited. He was also
associated with Joe Mazer, Inc., a diamond house in
During World War I Mellor served as chairman of the
Source:
The papers consist of correspondence and publications regarding Mellor's
business and personal interests, the bulk of which
deal with his involvement in the American National Jewelers Association and the
Indiana Retail Jewelers Association. Among the correspondence are letters from
individuals, companies, and government officials regarding the activities and
meetings of the American National Jewelers Association and the Indiana Retail
Jewelers Association, mostly from 1921-1927. There are also publications,
newsclippings, and programs from these organizations as well as those of
jewelers associations from other states which include Mellor's activities.
There are also some specific subjects regarding the jewelry business such as a
government excise tax on jewelry in 1922-1923. In addition, there are
correspondence and printed items regarding Mellor's family and personal life,
his early career in the jewelry business, and some business records of his
jewelry store in
FOLDER CONTENTS
1: Correspondence and Papers, 1906-1921
2: Correspondence and Papers, 1922
3: Correspondence and Papers, 1923-1927
4: Civic and Social Activities, 1898-1930
5: Death and Funeral Papers, 1939
6: American National & Indiana Retail Jewelers Associations Articles, 1922-1923
7: American National & Indiana Retail Jewelers Associations Articles, 1920s
8: Excise Tax Correspondence and Articles, 1922-1923
9: General Articles and Publications, 1920s
10: Produce Catalogue, 1912
11: Price Lists and Orders, n.d.
12: Financial Notes, 1922 & n.d.
13: Newsclippings, 1898-1939
14: (VC) Jewelry Business Photographs, ca. 1910s
15: (VC) Mellor Family Photographs, 1890s-1910s
16: (VC) Mellor Family Photographs, 1890s-1910s
17: (VC) Postcards of
For additional information on this collection, including a list of subject headings that may lead you to related materials:
1. Go to the Indiana Historical Society's online catalog: http://opac.indianahistory.org/
2. Click on the "Basic Search" icon.
3. Select "Call Number" from the "Search In:" box.
4. Search for the collection by its basic call number (in this case, M 0601).
5. When you find the collection, go to the "Full Record" screen for a list of headings that can be searched for related materials.