Series - Business Records1888-1947

The bulk of the material in this series consists of correspondence between the Corry Hide and Fur Company/Berliner Company and its trading partners, which included individual trappers, tanneries, other hide and fur businesses. There is also correspondence originating from financial institutions, railroads and newspaper publishers. The correspondence is mostly incoming mail, though there is a small amount of letters originating from the company as well. The correspondence pertains to customer orders (including a number of disagreements over the quality or price of goods), the prices and availability of materials, advertisements placed in publications, and disputes with railroad companies over damaged shipments and overcharges. Some letters that were sent to traders were returned with handwritten responses on the back, providing a glimpse into the interaction between the Berliners and their customers. Additional corporate material includes circulars and copies of advertisements containing pricing information, testimonials, and shipping instructions. Also included in this series are price lists, receipts and invoices, canceled checks, market reports, and auction catalogs that document the fluctuations in the fur and hide market during this time.