Hamilton Records Collection

File

Identifier: MG-335

Staff Only

The collection primarily consists of blueprints, reports, correspondence, photographs, and memos that pertain to the research, development, design, manufacture, and distribution of products created at Hamilton. The materials reflect the company’s early reputation for timekeeping accuracy, followed by their expansion into the production of marine chronometers, military instruments, and metals manufacturing. Blueprints and drawings depict various mechanisms, parts, machines, and tools used in watches and manufacturing. Reports predominantly address research and test results. Photographs document technical facets of Hamilton’s operation, such as labs and equipment, while others show employees and their working environments. The core of the collection is bookended by records that trace the establishment and eventual sale of the company and its facilities approximately a century later. This includes maps, deeds, and certificates for the purchase, sale, and transfer of stocks and property associated with the companies and landowners that preceded Hamilton’s establishment in 1892. While American manufacture ended in 1969, Hamilton’s subsidiaries continued operation; therefore, materials they created are included in this collection. Contrasting these records are research notes from Don Sauers, author of “Time For America,” advertisements, and newspaper clippings, which document the sale of the company and subsequent conversion of its factory into an apartment complex in 1983.

Dates

1874-1996, bulk 1920-1975

Creator

Hamilton Watch Company (Organization)

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Use

These records are open to researchers for personal or scholarly research. Most of the records in the collection are available for photocopy, depending on the preservation needs of the material as well as other variables not specified here. Researchers, however, are responsible for obtaining copyright permission to use materials and documents. These records are part of the permanent collection in the archives of the Library & Research Center of the National Watch and Clock Museum and researchers are required to comply with the Archive Rules when using the collection.

Extent

42 Linear Feet : 71 Boxes

Additional Description

Overview

This collection contains correspondence, drawings, photographs, reports, and other records that document various activities and operations of Hamilton Watch Company. It highlights many of Hamilton's horological accomplishments as a fixture of American watchmaking.

Biographical / Historical

Hamilton Watch Company was incorporated in 1892 in Lancaster, PA. Following two decades of unsuccessful local watchmaking ventures, a group of individuals, including some from Aurora Watch Company of Illinois, merged to form Hamilton. The company was named after Andrew Hamilton, a scottish born annorney who founded Lancaster. His son, James, was the original owner of the land upon which the factory was constructed in 1875 by The Adams & Perry Watch Co.

Arrangement

The collection is currently arranged into series by topic and subseries by record type. The first half of the collection consists mainly of technical information, while the second half contains items that contribute social, political, and economic contexts in which the records were created and used. Folders are arranged chronologically when noted.

Series I: Oils and Lubricants

Subseries A: Research and Reports
Subseries B: Specifications and Procedures
Subseries C: Articles and Publications

Series II: Hairsprings

Subseries A: Data and Correspondence
Subseries B: Research and Reports
Subseries C: Specifications and Procedures

Series III:Mainsprings

Subseries A: Data and Correspondence
Subseries B: Research and Reports
Subseries C: Specifications and Procedures

Series IV: Jewels

Subseries A: Articles and Publications
Subseries B: Research and Reports
Subseries C: Specifications and Procedures

Series V: Chronometers

Subseries A: Army-Navy 'E' Award
Subseries B: Research and Reports
Subseries C: Data and Correspondence
Subseries D: Articles and Publications
Subseries E: Leroy May Papers
Subseries F: Specifications and Procedures
Subseries G: Photographs
Subseries H: Drawings

Series VI: Military Instruments

Subseries A: Specifications and Procedures

Series VII: Fuses

Subseries A: Articles
Subseries B: Research and Reports
Subseries C: Data and Correspondence
Subseries D: Photographs

Series VIII: Electric Watches

Subseries A: Research and Reports
Subseries B: Data and Correspondence
Subseries C: Photographs
Subseries D: Promotional Materials
Subseries E: Publications
Subseries F: Specifications and Procedures

Series IX: Automobile and Cordless Clocks

Subseries A: Research and Reports
Subseries B: Specifications and Procedures

Series X: Chemicals

Subseries A: Research and Reports
Subseries B: Specifications and Procedures

Series XI: Metals

Subseries A: Specifications and Procedures
Subseries B: Research and Reports
Subseries C: Photographs
Subseries D: Data and Correspondence

Series XII: Precision Metals Division

Subseries A: Research and Reports
Subseries B: Financial Data
Subseries C: Department Organization
Subseries D: Data and Correspondence
Subseries E: Articles and Publications
Subseries F: Photographs
Subseries G: Specifications and Procedures
Subseries H: Ads and Marketing

Series XIII: Industrial Products Division
Series XIV: Parts and Product Specification
Series XV: Patents

Subseries A: Patents
Subseries B: Articles and Publications
Subseries C: Research and Reports
Subseries D: Data and Correspondence
Subseries E: Foreign Patents, Engineering Drawings and Standards

Series XVI: Financial Records

Subseries A: Accounts Payable

Series XVII: Watch School

Subseries A: Training Materials
Subseries B: Students and Enrollment

Series XVIII: Dials and Engraving

Subseries A: Research and Reports
Subseries B: Design
Subseries C: Specifications and Procedures
Subseries D: Meeting Minutes

Series XIX : Carl A. Yecker Files
Series XX: Ernest W. Drescher Files

Subseries A: Personal Papers
Subseries B: Articles
Subseries C: Specifications and Procedures
Subseries D: Research and Reports
Subseries E: Design
Subseries F: Data and Correspondence
Subseries G: Catalogs and Publications

Series XXI: George E. Shubrooks Files

Subseries A: Personal Papers
Subseries B: Articles and Publications
Subseries C: Research and Reports
Subseries D: Data and Correspondence
Subseries E: Specifications and Procedures
Subseries F: Photographs

Series XXII: Personnel Records

Subseries A: Descriptions, Evaluations, and Ratings
Subseries B: Employee Data
Subseries C: Departmental Organization
Subseries D: Operations
Subseries E: Reports, Surveys, and Schedules
Subseries F: Training
Subseries G: Stock and Shareholders

Series XXIII: Watch Workers Union and Associations

Subseries A: Award Programs
Subseries B: Clubs and Associations
Subseries C: Watch Workers Union

Series XXIV: Land and Real Estate

Subseries A: Real Estate Transaction Records
Subseries B: Real Estate Deeds, Stock Certificates, and Transfers

Series XXV: Maintenance and Operations

Subseries A: Grounds and Building Surveys
Subseries B: Reports and Correspondence
Subseries C: Maintenance Program

Series XXVI: Marketing

Subseries A: Articles
Subseries B: Ads and Brochures
Subseries C: Publications

Series XXVII: Sales
Series XXVIII: Photographs

Subseries A: Manufacturing
Subseries B: G.E. Shubrooks
Subseries C: Products
Subseries D: Exteriors
Subseries E: Negatives
Subseries F: Personnel
Subseries G: Events
Subseries H: Oversized

Series XXIX: Project Files

Appraisal

The majority of this collection was recovered from a dumpster upon closure of Hamilton’s Lancaster facilities in the mid 1980s. A portion was also donated to the NAWCC Library in May of 1986. An itemized inventory of all the materials, “Hamilton Box Inventory,” was written by an unknown author. This list seems to reflect the order in which items were salvaged but does not provide any greater context. Despite some minor changes, the order of items according to Hamilton Box Inventory is generally maintained in the current arrangement.