Guide to the Paransky Family Papers 1930-2005

Repository
Heinz History Center
Title
Paransky Family Papers
Creator
Paransky family
Collection Number
MSS 0643
Extent
.50 linear feet (1 box)
Date
1930-2005
Abstract
The Paransky Family owned and operated Serta Mattress Company of Pittsburgh and Star Furniture Wholesale Warehouse for nearly 75 years. The Paransky Family Papers and Photographs contain materials relating to the family businesses, as well as family correspondence and photographs.
Language
The material in this collection is in English.
Author
The guide to this collection was written by Alex J. Toner.
Sponsor
This collection has been made accessible as part of an NHPRC-funded Basic Processing grant.
Publisher
Heinz History Center
Address
1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org

History

The Paransky Family owned and operated Serta Mattress Company of Pittsburgh and Star Furniture Wholesale Warehouse for nearly 75 years. The Star Bedding Company was co-founded in 1919 by David Paransky, a Russian Jew who immigrated to Uniontown, Pa., when he was sixteen. In the early 1930s, Paransky was invited by the new Serta Mattress, Co., based in Chicago, IL, to become a cooperative franchise. Paransky accepted the offer, and moved his manufacturing company from 1910 Forbes Avenue to 1508 Fifth Avenue circa 1934. The company produced mattresses, box springs, sofa beds, and Hollywood beds. David Paransky and his wife Rose Berez had two sons, Louis and Saul, who joined the family business as partners following World War II. Louis Paransky became President of the company after his father died, and Saul became vice-president. Saul Paransky also presided over management of Star Furniture Wholesale Warehouse. The Paransky brothers sold the two businesses in 1995.

Scope and Content Notes

The Paransky Family Papers and Photographs contain materials relating to the family businesses, as well as family members themselves. A VHS tape titled "50 years in our hometown" holds Serta Mattress Company of Pittsburgh commercials from the 1980s. There are personal correspondence between Beth Paransky and her father, Saul Paransky, as well as several 2003 Penguins ticket stubs, and a Serta Mattress tag. Several photographs depict family members, including Beth Paransky cutting the ribbon at the opening of the Serta Mattress Company of Pittsburgh. There are also five books of poetry published by Leah Paransky, wife of owner Louis Paransky, from 1979 and 1980.

Conditions Governing Access

None.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift from Beth Paransky in 2007.

Archives accession # 2007.0267

Preferred Citation

Paransky Family Papers, 1930-2005, MSS 0643, Rauh Jewish Archives, Library and Archives Division, Senator John Heinz History Center

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Alex J. Toner on 11/07/11.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.

Subjects

    Geographic Names

    • Pittsburgh (Pa.)

    Other Subjects

    • Business-Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh
    • Mattress Industry-Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh
    • Poetry
    • Jews-Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh

Container List