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Spitz Family Business Papers

 Collection
Identifier: AC 252

Scope and Content

This collection consists mainly of business records of the Spitz Jewelry Store, Santa Fe, NM. The business was founded in 1881 and closed in 1974. The business was started by Solomon Spitz and carried on by his son, Bernard. Initially the business involved manufacture, importation, and sale of jewelry. There is a significant collection of letters from the Fred Harvey company ordering jewelry (1905 - 1921). The family was also involved in financial and real estate ventures throughout the state. May Spitz, daughter of Solomon, was primarily involved in local Santa Fe real estate. Additional business papers generated by Martin and Florence (neé Spitz) Gardesky are also included in the collection. The collection includes letters on oil discovery near Clovis, NM, and Gorham, Co. and Reed & Barton Silversmiths related to the silver service for the U.S.S. New Mexico. A number of records document the importation of filagree jewelry from Italy during the 1905 -- 20 period.

Prominent local names include G. W. Bond, Alex and Gerson Gusdorf, Charles Ilfeld & Co., Phelps Dodge Co., Edgar L. Hewett, and Albert Fall. Personal records include tax returns, investment records and miscellaneous personal material. The majority of the collection is arranged chronologically with letters from selected people, businesses, and topics collected separately.

Dates

  • 1888-1975

Language of Materials

English.

Access Restrictions

None

Copy Restrictions

Duplication allowed for research purposes. User responsible for all copyright compliance.

Family History

Solomon Spitz was born in Breslau, Germany and emigrated to the United States in his teens. He worked in New York, Cleveland, OH, and the Black Hills, SD. He moved to Santa Fe in 1880 where he sold and repaired watches. He later specialized in Mexican filigree jewelry and opened a jewelry store on the Plaza. He was also involved in real estate and became a director of the 1st National Bank of Santa Fe. He was a 33rd degree Mason. He married Francis and they had three children, Bernard, May, and Florence. Bernard Spitz was a veteran of WW-I and took over the jewelry business until 1974; May Spitz owned and managed real estate properties; and Florence Spitz married Martin Gardesky and was active in the community. Mr. Gardesky was a local pharmacist and member of the Board of Directors of the 1st National Bank of Santa Fe.

Extent

15 Linear Feet

Separated Material

Maps transferred to Map Collection: Official Road Map of New Mexico issued by NM State Highway Department 1936; Texaco Touring Map of Mexico circa 1946; City of Santa Fe map published by Santa Fe News 1952; Santa Fe Holding Company Re-subdivision of Block 42 and 43 (Recorded Mar 7,1947 Santa Fe County Clerks Office 46E34); New Mexico School for the Deaf Property Planning Report, December 1960

Photgraphs related to Arturo Alioto merchandise (see Box 16, Folder 6) have been transferred to Photo Archives.

General

Contact Information

  1. Fray Angélico Chávez History Library
  2. The Palace of the Governors
  3. P.O. Box 2087
  4. Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504-2087, U.S.A.
  5. Phone: (+)505.476.5090
  6. Email: historylibrary@state.nm.us
  7. URL: www.palaceofthegovernors.org

General

Title
Guide to the Spitz Family Business Papers, 1888-1975
Status
Edited Full Draft
Author
Processed by Library Staff
Date
©1999
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//New Mexico History Museum::Fray Angelico Chavez History Library//TEXT (US::NmSM::AC252::Spitz Family Business Papers)//EN" "nmsm1ac252.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

Repository Details

Part of the Fray Angélico Chávez History Library Repository

Contact:
Fray Angélico Chávez History Library
New Mexico History Museum
113 Lincoln Ave
Sante Fe NM 87501 USA
(505) 476-5090