Correspondence, receipts, miscellaneous, contracts, business forms, clippings, memorabilia, theater programs, instruction booklets, trade catalogs, musician's directory, ledgers, advertisements, pamphlets, sheet music, publications, and photographs. The largest part of the collection concerns the business correspondence from the years 1881 and 1882. The correspondence includes letters from customers, suppliers, and their own salesmen. The collection... also contains various items that document the different aspects of a music business from suppliers to competitors to advertising. The papers provide an interesting inside look at relations with their business associates, their customers, their salesmen, and even within the Friedrich family.

The General Business Correspondence (1881-1882) consists of letters from customers with complaints or orders, letters from businesses selling for the Friedrich Bros. on consignment, letters from potential employees, and other letters concerning business matters. It also includes correspondence from Roe Stephens Co., a competitor, concerning territorial disputes.

The Payment Letters Correspondence (1881-1882) consists of letters from customers with which payment on their account was enclosed.

The Overdue Accounts Correspondence (1881-1882) includes 11 letters from customers explaining why they could not make payment on their accounts. These letters reflect many hardships typical of the time.

The J. S. Robbins Correspondence (1882, n.d.) contains letters and telegrams Mr. Robbins sent to the Friedrich Bros. during his sales trips throughout western Michigan. The correspondence primarily charts his progress.

The E. H. Robbins Correspondence (1881-1882) consists of the letters and telegrams of another salesman, E. H. Robbins, to the Friedrich Bros. also on sales trips in western Michigan.

The Organ and Piano Suppliers Correspondence (1881-1882) is the correspondence from suppliers to the Freidrich Bros. concerning orders and payment on their account. It includes a folder of miscellaneous suppliers and separate folders for large suppliers A. B. Chase Organ Co., J. and C. Fischer, A. Weber, and the Music House of C. J. Whitney. The Weber and Whitney folders also contain telegrams.

The Music Suppliers Correspondence (1882) contains the correspondence from suppliers of sheet music and music books. It includes one folder of miscellaneous suppliers and one folder from S. Brainard's Sons. The first folder contains an advertising letter and promotional copy of the 12th Street Rag, dated 1920.

The Telegrams. Correspondence (1881-1882) includes miscellaneous telegrams from customers.

The Friedrich Bros. Correspondence (1881-1882) includes 3 letters from the Friedrich Bros. to customers concerning payment or orders.

The Otto Friedrich Correspondence (1881-1882) contains 8 letters and 4 telegrams signed by Otto Freidrich. It includes correspondence from Otto back to the store during his business trips and correspondence to his "Friend Wagner."

The Miscellaneous Correspondence (1882,1894,1907) consists of 5 letters not directly related to the business of the Friedrich Brothers. Four are announcements and one is in reference to a credit rating.

The Personal Correspondence (1882) includes 2 letters from Alpha Childs, a friend of the Friedrich Brothers. One letter discusses Grand Rapids and the Germans.

Receipts and letter written in German. The Receipts (1891, 1917, 1920) contains three receipt that deal with a firm advertising order, and the personal grocery and freight receipts of Julius A.J.

Ledgers (1890, n.d.) consists of 2 ledgers imprinted with Star Clothing House with nondescript figures inside.

Business Forms (n.d.) contains examples of the firm’s blank forms, including payment agreements, gift certificates, order forms (as well as an order form and envelope from Hinners Organ Co.).