PRELIMINARY INVENTORY OF THE FRANK BROTHERS RECORDS, 1929-2005

Series I. Frank Brothers store, 1930-2002

Physical Description: 17.2 linear feet (17 boxes, 6 flatfile folders)

Scope and Content Note

Documentation of the Frank Brothers retail store and its related operations comprises this series. It contains an extensive visual record of the store itself, the furnishings they sold and the creations of the store's interior design service, as well as Frank Brothers marketing and promotional materials.

Arrangement

The series is arranged in six subgroups: documentation of the store and showroom, furnishings, interior design, promotions and general publicity, direct mail and print advertising, scrapbooks.

Box 1, 9, 10, 15*, 17

Documentation of store and showroom, circa 1930-1992

Scope and Content Note

Primarily photographic documentation of the Frank Brothers store at 2400 Long Beach Boulevard both in its original 1947 form and after the 1963 expansion and renovation by Edward Killingsworth. Also includes limited material relating to the earlier location of the Cash Furniture store at 219 East 4th St. Also in Flatfiles 1**-5**.

Box 1, 10

Store opening, 1947

Box 1, Folder 1

Photographs

Box 1, Folder 2

Congratulatory notes

Box 1, Folder 2A

Press coverage of opening

Box 10

Guest book

Box 1, 17

Expansion and remodeling of store, 1946-1964, undated

Scope and Content Note

Also in Flatfiles 1**-5**.

Box 1, Folder 3

Demolition for parking lot, undated

Box 17, Folder 1

Ceiling damage, 1962

Box 1, 17

Construction, 1946, 1960-1964, undated

Scope and Content Note

Includes photographs of "Exposed to smoke sale." Also in Flatfiles 1**-5**.

Box 1, Folder 4

Black-and-white photographs and notes

Box 17, Folder 2

Color photographs

Flatfile 1**-5**

Architectural plans and drawings, 1946, 1960-1963, undated

Flatfile 4**

Plans for original store by Louis Shoall Miller, 1946

Scope and Content Note

Diazotype with black-and-white photographs attached.

Flatfile 2**

Original perspective drawing for exterior of store, circa 1960

Flatfile 1**

Diazotypes of floor plans and small original perspective drawing, 1960

Flatfile 3**

Floor plans of original and remodeled building on board, undated

Flatfile 5**

Copies of Killingsworth plans for store renovation, 1963

Box 1, Folder 5

Press coverage of renovations, 1963-1964

Scope and Content Note

Includes related correspondence.

Box 15*, 17

Destruction of 2400 Long Beach Blvd., 1992

Box 15*, Folder 1

Press coverage of riots with photograph of Danica ruins

Box 17, Folder 3

Demolition of damaged structure

Box 1, 9, 17

General interior and exterior views, 1947-1968, undated

Box 1, Folder 6-7

Black-and-white photographs

Box 9, Folder 1

Oversize black-and-white photographs

Box 17, Folder 3A

Slides

Box 1, 17

Views of previous store at 219 E. 4th St., circa 1930-1946

Box 1, Folder 8

Black-and-white photographs

Box 17, Folder 3B

Slides

Box 2, 11, 12, 17, 21

Furnishings, 1945-1983, undated

Scope and Content Note

Documentation of the furnishings carried by the Frank Brothers retail store, primarily photographic, but also includes occasional notes, letters, layouts, sketches, tearsheets, stockbooks, and price lists. Also includes documentation of the custom work done by the upholstery shop.

Box 2, 17

Individual designers and manufacturers, 1945-1979, undated

Box 2, Folder 1

Baker, undated

Box 2, Folder 1A

Drexel, undated

Box 2, Folder 2

Charles and Ray Eames (Herman Miller), 1969, undated

Scope and Content Note

Includes correspondence.

Box 2, 17

Glenn of California, 1945, undated

Box 2, Folder 3

Trade catalog with Greta Grossman designs, undated

Scope and Content Note

Materials in folder from a disassembled stockbook (binder) containing photographs and printed matter.

Box 17, Folder 4

Slides of Stan Young and Milo Baughman designs for Glenn of California, circa 1945

Box 2, Folder 3A

Sam Maloof, 1968

Box 2, Folder 4

Paul McCobb, 1951, undated

Box 2, Folder 5

Peter Murdoch child chair, undated

Box 2, Folder 6

Neal Small designs, undated

Box 17, Folder 5

Thayer Coggins factory views, 1979

Box 2, 12, 17

Frank Brothers departments, 1961-1972, undated

Box 2, 12, 17

Upholstery shop, 1962-1972, undated

Box 2, Folder 7-8

Black-and-white photographs, 1972, undated

Box 17, Folder 6

Slides and negatives, 1962, undated

Box 12

Stock book with prices and yardage, undated

Box 17, Folder 7

Accessories department, 1961, undated

Box 2, Folder 11

Ron Frank's notes and price lists, 1981-1983

Scope and Content Note

Includes notes on Danica transition.

Box 2, Folder 12

Letters from Maurice Frank to Ed and Ron Frank, 1956

Scope and Content Note

Letters from travel in Europe and Asia include discussion of potential items for the store to stock.

Box 2, 9, 11, 17, 21

Various furnishings, 1950-1972, undated

Box 2, Folder 9-10

Papers and black-and-white photographs, 1950-1958, undated

Box 9, Folder 4-5

Oversize black-and-white photographs, undated

Box 17, Folder 7A

Color photographs and transparencies, 1972, undated

Box 11

Album, undated

Box 17, Folder 8

Slides, undated

Scope and Content Note

Unidentified slides of interiors and furniture.

Box 21, Folder 1-2

Stereo transparencies, undated

Box 21, Folder 9

Rolls of negatives, undated

Box 9, Folder 5A

Press coverage, 1955

Box 3, 9, 13, 19, 21

Interior design services, 1948-1992, undated

Box 3, 9, 19, 21

Projects, 1948-1970, undated

Scope and Content Note

Contains both black-and-white prints and mounted color stereo slides.

Box 19, Folder 1

Model home, Tucson, 1948

Box 3, Folder 11

The Pilot House, Mutual Housing Association, 1948

Box 3, 19, 21

Maurice and Mary Frank House, 1948-1951, undated

Box 3, Folder 12

Black-and-white photographs

Box 19, Folder 2-3

Slides and color photograph

Box 21, Folder 3

Stereo transparencies

Box 3, Folder 13

Opdahl House, 1957

Box 3, 19, 21

Home Show, 1957, 1959

Box 3, Folder 14

Black-and-white photographs

Box 19, Folder 4

Slides

Box 21, Folder 4

Stereo transparencies

Box 19, Folder 5

Terra Casa model home, circa 1960

Box 21, Folder 6

A.I.D. Show, 1961

Box 3, 9, 19

Pomona Fair projects, 1969-1970

Box 3, Folder 15

Documentation, 1970

Box 9, Folder 2-3

Press coverage, 1969-1970

Box 19, Folder 6-7

Slides, 1969-1970

Box 3, Folder 16

Killingsworth office and Clock, Waestman, Clock building, undated

Box 3, Folder 17

Philmer Ellerbroek House, undated

Box 19, 21

Bean's house, undated

Box 21, Folder 5

Stereo transparencies

Box 19, Folder 8

Slides

Box 19, Folder 9

College Park model homes, undated

Box 19, Folder 10

New Orleans interior job, undated

Box 3, Folder 18

Portofino marinapartments, undated

Box 3, Folder 19

Marina Tower, undated

Box 3, Folder 20

Miscellaneous interior design jobs, undated

Box 13, Folder 1-3

Clippings relating to Ed Frank as a designer, 1953-1965

Scope and Content Note

Includes Ed Frank's decorating advice column and participation in "Living with Famous Paintings."

Box 3, Folder 21

Stan Young obituary, 1992

Box 3, 5, 15*, 18

Promotions and general publicity, circa 1940-1974, undated

Box 3, Folder 11

Window displays, 1947-1950, undated

Scope and Content Note

Includes images from previous store at 219 E. 4th St.

Box 3, 15*, 18

Exhibitions and store events, 1960-1974, undated

Box 3, 18

International Fair, 1960 August

Box 3, Folder 1

Invitation and photograph

Box 18, Folder 1

Slides

Box 3, 15*

Arts of Denmark exhibition, 1961

Box 3, Folder 9

Invitation

Box 15*, Folder 2

Press coverage

Box 18, Folder 2

Knoll exhibition, 1967 February

Box 3, 18

See-Thru exhibition, 1967 August

Box 3, Folder 2

Invitation

Box 18, Folder 3

Slides

Box 3, 18

Italian exhibition, 1967 October

Box 3, Folder 2A

Press coverage

Box 18, Folder 4

Slides

Box 3, 18

Selections from California Design, 1968 April

Box 3, Folder 3

Invitation

Box 18, Folder 5

Slides

Box 15*, 18

Around the Clock bedroom exhibition, 1968 August

Box 18, Folder 6

Slides

Box 15*, Folder 3

John Nyquist plans for bed in exhibit, 1968

Box 18, Folder 7

Eames exhibition, 1968 November

Box 3, 15*, 18

New Forms exhibition, 1969 February

Box 3, Folder 4

Invitation

Box 15*, Folder 4

Press coverage

Box 18, Folder 8

Slides

Box 3, 18

Neal Small exhibition, 1969 August

Box 3, Folder 5

Invitation

Box 15*, Folder 4A

Press coverage

Box 18, Folder 9

Slides

Box 3, 15*, 18

Emotional Eye exhibition, 1970 March

Box 3, Folder 6

Invitation

Box 15*, Folder 5

Press coverage

Box 18, Folder 10

Slides

Box 3, Folder 7

Debut '72 exhibition, 1972 September

Box 3, 18

44 Years exhibition, 1974 October

Box 3, Folder 8

Black-and-white photographs

Box 18, Folder 10

Slides

Box 3, 18

Various event and exhibition photographs, 1950-1972, undated

Box 3, Folder 10

Black-and white photographs

Box 18, Folder 10A

Slides

Box 5, 13

General publicity, 1951-1971, undated

Box 5, Folder 6-7

Black-and-white photographs, undated

Box 5, Folder 8-9

Promotional materials, 1951-1971

Box 13, Folder 6

Oversize materials, 1958-1968

Box 3, 15*

General press coverage, 1948-1971, undated

Box 15*, Folder 6

Newspaper clippings, 1948-1970

Box 3, Folder 22

Magazine articles and photocopies, 1965-1971, undated

Box 4, 5, 13, 15*, 19

Direct mail and print advertising, 1949-2002

Scope and Content Note

Also in Flatfile 6**.

Box 4, 13

Direct mail, circa 1958-1981, undated

Scope and Content Note

Also in Flatfile 6**.

Box 4, Folder 1-3

Sales events, circa 1958-1981

Scope and Content Note

Also in Flatfile 6**.

Box 4, Folder 1

Anniversary sale mailers, 1958-1981

Flatfile 6**

33rd anniversary sale posters and prints, 1963

Scope and Content Note

Drawing by Carlos Diniz.

Box 4, Folder 2

Summer and June sale mailers undated

Box 4, Folder 3

Special sale mailers, undated

Box 4, Folder 4

Holiday mailer, undated

Scope and Content Note

Also includes holiday cards and pamphlets with gift ideas, recipes and ideas for holiday entertaining.

Box 13, Folder 4-5

Cybernetic Art holiday mailer, undated

Box 4, Folder 5

Miscellaneous mailers and announcements, undated

Box 5, 15*, 19

Advertising, 1949-2002

Box 5, Folder 1

Advertising awards, 1958-1959, undated

Box 5, 19

Arts and Architecture advertising, 1949-1962

Box 5, Folder 2-3

Print copies

Box 19, Folder 11

Slides

Scope and Content Note

Slides of published advertising in Arts & Architecture, includes reproductions of images used in ads.

Box 5, Folder 4-5

Advertising artwork, undated

Box 5, Folder 10

Press coverage of advertising and direct mail, 1967-1969, undated

Box 15*, Folder 7

Review of book by Jim Heimann on graphic design featuring Frank Brothers advertising, 2002

Box 22*-23*

Scrapbooks, 1947-1975

Scope and Content Note

Includes newspaper and magazine clippings, tearsheets, awards and certificates, mailers and advertisements.

Series II. Moreddi, 1957-1971, undated

Physical Description: 2.6 linear feet (3 boxes, 1 flatfile folder)

Scope and Content Note

This series is comprised of material related to Moreddi, the furniture import side of the Frank family business, run by Ed Frank after the business was divided in 1965. Included here are correspondence, advertising and press coverage relating to the company, but of particular interest are the trade catalogs and photographs of Moreddi furniture.

Arrangement

Arranged by topic.

Box 6, 20, 21

Designs, 1958-1967, undated

Scope and Content Note

Also in Flatfile 7**.

Box 6, Folder 1-2

"Presenting the Moreddi Collection" catalog, undated

Box 20, Folder 1

Showroom display, undated

Box 20, Folder 2

Moreddi Collection, 1958

Box 6, Folder 3-4

Wood furniture, undated

Box 6, Folder 3

Trade catalog

Box 6, Folder 4

Photographs of designs with price lists

Scope and Content Note

Contents from binder; includes photographs, prices, dimensions and specifications of furniture finishes.

Box 6, 21

Upholstered furniture, undated

Box 6, Folder 5

Black-and-white photographs

Box 21, Folder 7

Stereo transparencies

Box 6, Folder 6

Edward Frank patent for convertible couch, 1962

Flatfile 7**

Edward Frank drawing of desk cabinet with storage, 1967

Box 7, Folder 1-3

Correspondence, 1957-1969, undated

Scope and Content Note

Primarily letters from Ed Frank to Maurice Frank reporting on buying trips to Europe. Also includes images and price lists for some of the furnishings discussed.

Box 13, 16*

Press coverage, 1965-1971

Box 16*, Folder 1

Furnishings, 1965-1971

Box 13, Folder 7

Interview with Ed Frank, 1969

Box 16*, Folder 2-4

Moreddi employee embezzling case, 1965

Box 9, Folder 6

Advertising, 1957-1966

Series III. Frank family papers, 1929-2005

Physical Description: 1.6 linear feet (3 boxes)

Scope and Content Note

Personal papers of the various members of the Frank family comprise this series. The material consists primarily of family photographs, but also contains items such as documents related to Ed Frank's military service and cartoons drawn by Ron Frank. Of particular interest is the documentation of Ed Frank's home, Case Study House #25, designed by his high-school friend, Edward Killingsworth.

Arrangement

Arranged by family member.

Box 8, Folder 1

Louis and Rose Frank, circa 1930-1950

Scope and Content Note

Family photographs, obituary.

Box 8, 9, 13, 14, 16*, 20

Edward Frank, 1929-2005

Box 14

Scrapbook, 1929-1932

Scope and Content Note

Scrapbook contains family photographs and ephemera with notations.

Box 13, Folder 8

Certificates and diplomas, 1929-1957

Box 8, Folder 2

Military service, 1941-1945

Box 8, Folder 4

Portraits and promotional material, undated

Box 8, 9, 16*, 20

Case Study House # 25, 1955-2000

Box 8, Folder 3

Photographs, circa 1962-1963

Scope and Content Note

Black-and-white photographs, and clippings documenting the construction and finished house of Edward Frank in Naples, California designed by Killingsworth/Brady.

Box 20, Folder 3

Slides, 1962

Scope and Content Note

Includes color slides of ground breaking ceremonies and slides of magazine editorials on the finished house.

Box 16*, Folder 5

Newspaper clippings, 1963

Box 9, Folder 7-9

Magazine articles, 1955-2000

Scope and Content Note

Includes other material relating to Edward Killingsworth.

Box 9, Folder 10

Preservation award, 1993

Box 16*, Folder 6

Obituaries, 2005

Box 8, Folder 5

Miscellaneous, 1957-1990, undated

Box 8, 9, 21

Maurice Frank, undated

Box 8, Folder 6

Black-and-white portraits

Box 9, Folder 11

Oversize portraits

Box 21, Folder 8

Stereo transparencies

Scope and Content Note

Also includes Bruce Hill and Bill Lassiter.

Box 8, 20

Ron Frank, 1972-1992, undated

Box 8, 20

Portraits, 1977, undated

Box 8, Folder 7

Black-and-white photographs, undated

Box 20, Folder 4

Color photographs and slides, 1977, undated

Box 8, Folder 8

General interviews, 1972-1982

Box 8, Folder 9

Cartoons, undated

Box 20, Folder 5-6

Color photographs related to travel and Frank Brothers events, 1979-1992, undated

Box 8, 20

Miscellaneous, undated

Box 8, Folder 10

Papers

Box 20, Folder 7

Slides

Container List