American Brass Company Records

Series I: Historical Materials (undated, 1351-1978) is a collection of historical background notes used by Clark S. Judd to create his manuscript, "The History of the American Brass Company." Mr. Judd, a former president of the company, worked on this project from 1942 until 1959, when ill health forced him to put it aside for a time. He was assisted in his research by Russell H. Pope, an American Brass employee since 1912. The files contain clippings, anecdotes and general background information on the American Brass Company and the brass industry in general. Dates on the folders may refer to the event noted and not the actual document itself.

Series II: Administrative Files--American Brass Company (ABC) (undated, 1848-1972) consists of general administrative files including minutes, opinions on reorganization in 1911 and land deeds.

Series III: Sales Department Files (undated, 1853-1969) contains individual price list books and specification catalogs dating back to circa 1800. These materials were used by the company library for historical research and information on official company names, logos, letterheads and price information.

Series IV: Library Ephemera Files (undated, 1642-1966) includes the company library vertical file maintained by Eulalia Madden, the company librarian. A mixture of primary and secondary source materials, the collection documents the history of the industry as well as the company. Of particular interest are such items as the Benedict & Burnham permit for the Centennial Exhibition (1876), biographical files on Anaconda and American Brass personnel, and correspondence from principals in the company, such as C. F. Brooker. As in Series I, the dates on the folders will sometimes refer to the event, and not the actual document.

Series V: Papers, reports, historical records and Advertising reprints (undated, 1841-1968) is a collection of miscellaneous materials including an Appraisal Committee report of 1892 regarding the formation of the company, Aaron Benedict's "Bargain" books (incentive pay for employees) and Coe family correspondence.

Series VII: Photographs (undated, circa 1841-1962) is the photograph collection. Containing over 200 images, the photographs date from circa 1841 through 1962. The images include daguerreotypes, mill exteriors and interiors, the Benedict & Burnham booth at the Centennial Exhibition, the Waterbury Water Wheel and the flood damage of 1955.

Series VIII: Bound Volumes (1823-1972) consists of bound volumes including minute books, journals, ledgers, cash books and other documentation of the American Brass Company, its predecessor firms and some subsidiaries. Also included are samples from the Wolcottville Brass Company, American Brass Company, Waterbury Brass Company, Holmes, Booth and Haydens, Coe Brass Manufacturing Company, Ansonia Brass & Copper Company, Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing Company and the Ansonia Clock Company.

Note: Series I-IV have been completely reprocessed, resulting in more accurate dating of materials and the assignment of new box and folder numbers. Series V-VIII reflect the older processing. The finding aid will be updated as the reprocessing of each series is completed.