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Herzstein and Lord Families Films

 Collection
Identifier: PICT-2000-002

Scope and Content

The Herzstein and Lord families films collection consists of 37 reels of film which have been converted to DVD and VHS. Simon Herzstein and his daughter, Isobel Herzstein Lord, were responsible for the majority of the filming. There are also commercial films, primarily of the World's Fair in Chicago.

The New Mexico and Family films are interspersed on the 1st and 2nd DVDs. The films document community activities, store events and family trips. Most of the sporting events shown took place in Clayton, New Mexico. There are football and baseball games, diving, swimming, gymnastics, rodeo, car and aerial stunts. The automobile and motorcycle racing is in Albuquerque. Simon Herzstein's store was one of the first in the area to carry "ready to wear clothing." The film shows women modeling clothing and men modeling Stetson hats. Some of the local models are Della Brown, Wendell Priestley, Martha Bryan, Charlsie Mae Harding, Beth Pitts and Spence Groves.

The majority of the footage on the 2nd DVD was filmed in Denver and Littleton, Colorado, California and Dalhart Texas. The footage is of Simon Herzstein, his wife, Maud, their children, Isobel Herzstein Lord, Simon, Jr., Sigmund and grandchildren. The vacation films are of Mexico, Panama Canal, Haiti and West Indies. Some are in color, which has been noted on the contents list.

The Commercial series contains films of the World's Fair in Chicago done by Burton Holms Films in 1933, the "Making of Stetson Hats - Philadelphia," Stetson Hat Company and Eruption of Puna Volcano, Hawaii, 1955. The World's Fair films cover different exhibits and events at the fair such as the "Enchanted Island," "Streets of Paris," "The World a Million Years Ago," "Parade Grand Opening" and "Around the Fair." All of the commercial films are on the 3rd DVD.

Dates

  • 1928-1969

Creator

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Video may not be duplicated. User/researcher is responsible for all copyright compliance. For more information see the Photographs and Images Research Guide and contact the Pictorial Archivist.

Biography / History

The Herzstein family were business and civic leaders during Clayton, New Mexico's early days. Morris Herzstein came to the United States from Germany in 1887 arriving in Clayton in 1893. He opened a mercantile business, M. Herzstein & Company. In 1901 Simon Herzstein, nephew to Morris, arrived to help with the business. In 1902 Simon married Maud Edwards. The union produced three children, Sigmund Edward born 1905, Isobel in 1909 and Simon, Jr. in 1913. Isobel married D. K. Lord. The Lords operated the branch store in Nara Visa, New Mexico. Simon, Jr. operated another store, located in Dalhart, Texas.

Simon, Sr. and Morris became business partners in 1911. The company name on the letterhead was M. Herzstein & Co., Clothing & Dry Goods, M. Herzstein - Simon Herzstein. In 1914 Morris sold his share to Simon. After the store burned in 1915 Simon opened Herzstein's Ready to Wear on Main Street in Clayton. His store carried clothes, groceries and farm implements. It was advertised as having the "largest stock of Stetsons west of the Mississippi." Simon's brothers, Sol and Leonard came to assist him with the business. In 1932, Simon rebuilt his store, which was designed by John Gaw Meem and paid for using the barter system.

Active in the local community, Simon Herzstein sat on the Town's Board of Trustees for several terms, belonged to the Town Council and the School Board. He played on and managed the Clayton community baseball team. In July 1918 he co-founded the Rotary Club in Clayton. Simon retired in 1950 and moved to Colorado, selling the store in 1959.

Sources: Jewish Pioneers of New Mexico. Albuquerque, N.M : New Mexico Jewish Historical Society, 2004-2006. v.5 (Herzstein Family) Thompson, Goldianne. Clayton, the Friendly Town in Union County, New Mexico. Denver: Monitor Pub. Co., 1962

Extent

3 items (1 box) : 3 DVDs with 37 reformatted film reels

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Herzstein and Lord families films collection is composed of 37 reels of film which have been converted to DVD and VHS. Nineteen of these reels are of the family and events in Clayton, New Mexico from 1928-1960s. Other films of the family were taken in other locations such as California, Colorado, Texas, and Mexico. There are also commercial films, primarily of the World's Fair in Chicago.

Arrangement

Orangized into 3 series:
  1. New Mexico
  2. Family
  3. Commercial

Physical Location

B2. Shelved by Pictorial Number.

Related Material

Oral History Interviews of the Jewish Pioneer Video Project, Center for Southwest Research, University of New Mexico Contains photographs on a DVD and other information on the Herzstein family.

Separated Material

Original 16mm film, DVCPro tapes, master video tapes, master DVDs stored in B3. Film projector stored in CSWR vault.

Processing Information

Films copied to videotape, which have been converted to digital, September 2008.

Creator

Title
Finding Aid of the Herzstein and Lord Families Films, 1928-1969
Status
Edited Full Draft
Author
T. S. Reinig
Date
© 2008
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451