J.A.R. Elliott Company records
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Abstract
The J.A.R. Elliott Company records span the period 1900 to 1952 and mostly concern the manufacture and sale of the Elliott Perfect Ear Protector from the years 1903 to 1930. Additional records include Ear Protector testimonials, publicity materials, layouts, clippings, advertisements, ledgers, ephemera, bills, and a scrapbook containing correspondence and documents for foreign patents. The collection also contains Elliott's correspondence from the years 1902 to 1913 concerning his shooting career.
Historical Note
James Albert Riley (J.A.R.) Elliott (1854-1924) was one of the premier live-bird and trap shooters in America from the late 1880s until his retirement in 1915. In the late 19th century, live pigeon shooting was a popular competitive sport and Elliott was a celebrated national champion. Elliott earned a living by competing for prize money and through his longstanding employment as a representative of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. By about 1910, shooting live birds was increasingly considered cruel and the sport began to shift to shooting clay targets or skeet shooting. Elliott's shooting career became less active and in 1911 he launched a new business venture, Elliott's Perfect Ear Protector. The ear protector, which he patented in the U.S. and eight other countries, was designed to protect the inner ear from the damage caused by the shock of loud noises, such as gun fire. The business was a commercial success and Elliott's customers ranged from local gun clubs to the U.S. military. Elliott moved from Kansas City, MO to Brooklyn, N.Y. in about 1910 and purchased a large stone mansion at 122 76th Street in the neighborhood of Bay Ridge. He died in Brooklyn on August 7, 1924.
Scope and Contents
The J.A.R. Elliott Company records span the period 1900 to 1952 and mostly concern the manufacture and sale of the Elliott Perfect Ear Protector from the years 1903 to 1930. Additional records include Ear Protector testimonials, publicity materials, layouts, clippings, advertisements, ledgers, ephemera, bills, and a scrapbook containing correspondence and documents for foreign patents. The collection also contains Elliott's correspondence from the years 1902 to 1913 concerning his shooting career.
The business records of the J.A.R. Elliott Company for the years 1903 to 1930 are organized alphabetically by topic in Boxes 1 to 7. Boxes 8 and 9 contain additional business records and Elliott's correspondence regarding his shooting career. Box 10 contains oversize items, including the foreign patents scrapbook.
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Conditions Governing Access
Open to users without restriction.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date (if known); J.A.R. Elliott Company records, 1987.001, Box and Folder number; Brooklyn Historical Society.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Mrs. Merle E. Ohlinger on behalf of herself and her sister, Mrs. Elinor Elliott Koechley, 1996.
Other Finding Aids
An earlier version of this finding aid, containing a complete container list, is available in paper form at the Brooklyn Historical Society. Please consult library staff for more information.
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Processing Information
Minimally processed to the collection level.
