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Catalog Data

Collection Creator:
Johnson, Victor S., Sr., 1882-1943  Search this
Johnson, Victor, Jr., 1906-  Search this
Aladdin Industries, Inc. (Nashville, Tenn.).  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1939-2000
Scope and Contents:
This series is divided into twelve subseries: sales manuals, magneboard, flip chart, salesmen memos, form letters to trade industry, promotional and product literature, promotional memos, price lists, sales studies, sales bulletins, licensing agreements, and sales data. The Magneboard Shelf Management Planner, 1981, is a self-contained "plan-o-gram" for all Aladdin field salesmen. This planner was used for sales training in proper shelf space and merchandising techniques, and for presentations, especially with "key" accounts. The sales presentation flip chart, 1949, is approximately 14" x 20" and contains concise sales facts and messages about Aladdin products. The chart was designed for use on a table or counter top. Memos for salesmen, 1966-1971, consist of price lists, promotional materials, jobber inserts, catalog sheets, test manuals, product specific information, and orders billed. The majority of the memos are from George Cole; some are from R.H. Mickelsen and Bill Bannister. Letters to trade industry, 1957-1963, are standard form letters from Aladdin to potential buyers discussing new products, promoting existing products, and announcing prices. Catalog pages and price lists were common attachments. The promotional and product literature, 1949-1992, includes printed product information attached to memos to sales personnel. The memos contain details such as reminders of sales promotions for various Aladdin products, current price lists, and instructions on taking orders, shipments, and national sales meetings. The memos found among the promotional and product literature should be used in conjunction with the salesmen memos. The sales bulletins, 1968-1969, are interoffice memos aimed at salesmen, regional managers, and representatives for the purpose of communicating procedures, directives, and policies and to act as "ready reference." The bulletins were intended to become a "permanent" file for everyone associated with the sales force. The Licensing Agreements, 1966-1971, includes correspondence, advance programming information, and agreements with various television shows and movies. This subseries is arranged alphabetically. The sales data, 1939-1996, consists of a variety of financial data. The major account totals, 1940-1983, detail account information with department stores like Sears, Gimble's, Jordan-Marsh, and J.C. Penney and super markets, drug stores, catalog houses, variety chains, rack jobbers, automotive chains, and hardware jobbers. The unit shipments and sales data, 1950-1992, provides product categories with product title, unit change, annual forecasts, forecast errors, and shipments. The historical data, 1939-1992, was collected on various products and product lines. The financial data includes net sales figures, percentage changes, some memos to salesmen, consolidated narratives about product lines, strategic planning documents on "breakable and unbreakable" bottles, consumer research, reorganization memos, and reorganization charts for sales and marketing staff.
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but the oversize map folders are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Aladdin Industries, Inc. Records, 1889-2002, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.0844, Series 7
See more items in:
Aladdin Industries, Inc. Records
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep84b465a40-fc36-4d6d-bc6e-843f249b5e6f
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0844-ref618