Skip to main content

Bos Leather Company records

 Collection
Identifier: Collection 079

Scope and Contents

The records consist of monthly sales records divided according to sales agent and product category. The data is summarized in the monthly sales tax reports and trail balances. The inventories provide a detailed listing of merchandise and equipment on hand at the end of each year. Both the sales reports and inventories are noteworthy for the long, unbroken runs.

The publications provide a sampling of information on several topics such as foot care and design, shoe making equipment and tools, and shoe making supplies. A noteworthy catalog in the supplies section is "Schafer's Black Beauty Harness" catalog of horse harnesses. This section also contains reports from national trade organizations. Finally this section contains the 1941 Encyclopedia of the Shoe and Leather Industry, which provides detailed insight into the leather and tanning industry as well as an indication of advertising in the industry

The firm specialized in shoe-making, but also manufactured a limited amount of other leather products, such as briefcases. The records chiefly document sales and inventory levels during the company life, 1909-1969. Never a large operation, the firm had annual sales of approximately $120,00 during the 1960s.

Dates

  • 1905-1967

Biographical / Historical

The Bos Leather Company was formed in 1909 by Sidney (originally Sietse) J. Bos (1878-1941), a Dutch immigrant. Bos worked as a sales agent for Hirth, Krause & Co., a leading Grand Rapids, Michigan shoe wholesaler, until he formed his own firm. The firm was first located at 744 Wealthy Ave, moved to 35 Ionia Ave in 1922 and finally to 21 Ottawa Ave in 1940. In 1928 his son, Cornelius J. Bos (1905-1982) joined the firm as a sales manager. Later his other son, John Sidney Bos, also joined the firm. The two brothers took over control of the company during the 1930s. They continued the firm until 1979 when they sold it to Joseph and Robert Flood. The Floods closed the company in 1981.

Extent

2.17 Linear Feet (Five boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Bos Leather Company was formed in 1909 in Grand Rapids, Michigan by Sidney (originally Sietse) J. Bos (1878-1941), a Dutch immigrant. The Bos firm specialized in shoe making, but also manufactured a limited amount of other leather products, such as briefcases. The Bos Leather Company records document the financial history of the firm, including inventory records from 1909 to 1967. Monthly sales records are included from the mid-1930s until 1967. A sample of trade publications and supplier's publications is included, though these are from national or international companies, not Grand Rapids firms.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Cornelius J. Bos and J. Sidney Bos, 20 September 1979. Accession number 1986.201.

Related Materials

Collection 232: Grand Rapids Public Library trade catalog collection

Title
Finding aid for the Bos Leather Company records
Status
Completed
Author
Richard H. Harms
Date
July 1988
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Grand Rapids History Center Repository

Contact:
Grand Rapids Public Library
111 Library Street NE
Grand Rapids Michigan 49503 USA
616-988-5497