Riggs & Brother company records

The records in this collection include a day book, correspondence, orders, invoices, bills, and receipts, both from Riggs & Brother to their clients and from suppliers to Riggs & Brother. The day book dates from 1889-1893. In it were recorded purchases, repair work performed, the names and addresses of customers, and charges. Much repair work was done on watches, but jewelry and pieces of silver were also fixed. Purchases included chains, cuff links, rings, silver spoons, etc. From early years, the firm was heavily involved in issuing an annual "Nautical Almanac." Other kinds of nautical paraphernalia were—or soon became—a direct concern of the business, including charts, depth gauges, chronometers, compasses, weather instruments, and telescopes. A Kansas City firm was investigating the purchase of a telescope to be placed at the Grand Canyon for tourists to use.

The collection contains many different illustrated and engraved billheads and pieces of business stationery; unfortunately, much of it is in poor condition. The billheads and stationery were organized in chronological order after they were acquired.