JOHN WANAMAKER - MANUSCRIPT LETTER SIGNED 08/08/1906 - HFSID 169472

JOHN WANAMAKER
Wanamaker signed this letter to Seymour Eaton on his personalized stationery in 1906. In it, he thanks Eaton for a copy of the "Roosevelt Bears", but expresses his dissatisfaction with a list of people for an unnamed board.
Manuscript letter signed: "John Wanamaker", 1p, 5¼x8¾, on stationery inscribed "Private Office/John Wanamaker/Philadelphia". Aug. 8, 1906. Addressed to Mr. Seymour Eaton. In full: "Dear Mr. Eaton;- You are very kind to send me the beautiful copy of the 'Roosevelt Bears' and 'Dan Black'. I have been acquainted with Dan for a long time, but I will value the copy you send me because it has your name in it. I do not care much for association with the list of people you are considering for the new Board. The paper is to be like one of the rooms of the Gheiza Musuem. Very sincerely yours,". John Wanamaker (1838-1922, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) was an American businessman who, in 1875, established the first department store, bringing a collection of specialty stores together under one roof in the former freight depot of the Pennsylvania Railroad in Philadelphia. Wanamaker, who was one of the first major retailers to employ advertising agencies to sell his goods, was also a leader in offering "fringe benefits" to his employees, who enjoyed paid vacations, health care, life insurance, pensions and financial aid for further education. As Postmaster General under President Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893), he issued the first commemorative stamps (over protests from Congress) and proved that they could be moneymakers. Lightly toned, stained and creased. "J" of signature touches manuscript writing. Manuscript writing is lightly smeared. Folded twice and unfolded.