Rare original 1904 D. Klein & Bro. uniform and livery archive sent to George W. Casey, Manager of the Elks Opera House in Leadville, Colorado.
This remarkable group contains an original illustrated D. Klein & Bro. uniform catalog, 1904 correspondence, livery advertising/order material, measurement forms, envelopes and a group of period textile samples preserved with the collection.
Most importantly, the original correspondence provides a direct historical connection between the material and the management of Leadville’s Elks Opera House.
Original 1904 letter to the Manager of the Elks Opera House
The original D. Klein & Bro. letter is dated August 20, 1904 and addressed directly to:
Mr. George W. Casey
M’gr. The Elks Opera House
Leadville, Colo.
Casey was the manager of the historic Elks Opera House, formerly the Tabor Opera House.
The letter responds to Casey’s inquiry and states that D. Klein was enclosing samples of all-wool, fast-color purple cloth and discusses pricing and specifications for coats and related uniform pieces.
Of particular interest, the letter describes proposed embroidery incorporating the words:
“Elks’ Opera House”
and discusses lettering, gold bullion embroidery, coat styles and prices.
This provides an unusually direct glimpse into the uniforms being considered for employees of the Elks Opera House in 1904.
D. Klein & Bro. Catalogue No. 36
Included is the original blue illustrated:
D. Klein & Bro.
Philadelphia
Catalogue No. 36
The catalog contains striking period illustrations of uniforms and liveries, including full-color uniform plates, along with styles, specifications and pricing.
D. Klein & Bro. advertised itself as Army and Navy Uniform makers and also supplied private and public liveries.
Private & Public Liveries
Also included is D. Klein material advertising:
Army – Navy Tailors
Fine Liveries
No. 921 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA.
with liveries for:
This material is especially appropriate to the Casey correspondence because the surviving letter discusses uniforms intended for use at the Elks Opera House.
Original measurement and ordering material
The collection also contains surviving D. Klein measurement/order material with detailed period instructions and forms for measuring:
These unused forms provide an interesting look at how a distant customer in Leadville could order custom uniforms from an eastern uniform manufacturer in the early 20th century.
Original textile samples
Included are the surviving period textile samples shown in the photographs.
Several retain their original small identification tags headed:
“THE MAY.”
with handwritten color/fabric information and numbers.
The samples include purple/maroon, red, tan/brown, green and very dark blue/black shades.
The small tags remain attached with their old original-type staples, which now exhibit visible rust/corrosion and some associated staining. They have not been removed, replaced or cleaned.
These samples were photographed with the D. Klein material before the collection was rearranged for photography and have been returned to the Klein group.
Provenance
This material was among early business correspondence and related items left behind in the historic Opera House in Leadville, Colorado and preserved by my grandmother after the building passed from the Elks to my family. It has remained in the family since.
This listing contains the D. Klein & Bro. group only.
Other original George W. Casey/Elks Opera House business correspondence and materials from other companies are being offered separately so that collectors can acquire the particular portions of this historic archive that interest them.
An unusual piece of Leadville theater history
What makes this collection particularly interesting is that the surviving pieces document an actual business inquiry rather than merely being unrelated advertising pieces.
The original 1904 letter identifies:
George W. Casey as Manager of the Elks Opera House
and discusses:
all-wool cloth samples • uniform coat styles • prices • gold bullion embroidery • and “Elks’ Opera House” lettering.
Together with the illustrated uniform catalog, measurement material and surviving textile samples, the collection provides a tangible look at how the Elks Opera House was being equipped and operated during the early 1900s.
An excellent collection for those interested in Leadville Colorado • Tabor/Elks Opera House • George W. Casey • antique uniforms • historic theaters • Elks history • early textile samples • D. Klein & Bro. • military/livery uniforms • Colorado ephemera • trade catalogs and advertising.
Everything pictured is included and sold together as one collection.
Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description.
Related Items:
Antique Western Electric 1904 Railroad Lineman Field Telephone Box Magneto D4379
$137.95
1904 D Klein Uniform Catalog Samples Elks Opera House Leadville CO Casey
$549.95
Rare Antique 1904 Army Leather Horse Saddle By P.C Co & ID’D A.H.B 11 1/2” Inch
$750.00
