Guide to the Collins and Wright, Inc. Records, 1868-1938 AIS.1972.12
- Repository
- ULS Archives & Special Collections
- Title
- Collins and Wright, Inc. Records
- Creator
- Collins and Wright, Inc
- Collection Number
- AIS.1972.12
- Extent
- 1.25 Linear Feet (1 box)
- Date
- 1868-1938
- Abstract
- The company was founded in 1838 and was known as the Pittsburgh Brittania Manufacturing Company; specializing in the manufacture of (salt and pepper) shaker and syrup jug tops, cream pitcher lids, mustard lids, and caster trimmings. The collection contains corporate history, corporate records, legal papers, catalogues, brochures, advertisements, price lists, photographs, and genealogical notes and family histories from 1868-1938.
- Language
- English .
- Publisher
- ULS Archives & Special Collections
- Address
- University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
History
Collins Wright, Inc. was formed in 1867 and specialized in the manufacture of (salt and pepper) shaker and syrup jug tops, cream pitcher lids, mustard lids, and caster trimmings. Prior to its founding the company was known as the Pittsburgh Brittania Manufacturing Company, which was founded in 1838. Henry Collins purchased the company from Orvin Newton and made business improvements by purchasing new machinery to increase the speed of production. In 1852, Homer Wright secured a position with Collins and began patenting items for the company. In 1867, Collins and Wright formed a partnership to succeed the Pittsburgh Brittania Manufacturing Company. When Henry Collins died, his brother, Benjamin, acquired a share of the business. Benjamin died soon after and his widow became a silent partner. In 1888, Homer purchased her interest from her heirs, retaining the name Collins Wright. Homer Wright died in 1919 and his son, Edwin, carried on the business until his death in 1923. Edwin's brother, W. Howard Wright, then incorporated the company.
To successfully make castings with brittania metal, Orvin Newton used gravity-pour molds. The molds were more economical, practical, and heavily used. The manufacture of tops exclusively by the gravity-pour method made Collins Wright a unique business. The main advantage in this method of manufacturing metal tops is the speed by which the numerous orders for various styles and sizes were filled. Henry Collins formed partnerships and obtained support from the glass manufacturers and table glassware dealers, which helped with the company's success. Collins Wright primarily supplied the tops to the glass manufacturers and dealers for use on salt and pepper shakers since there was a need for replacement tops due to constant wear and corrosion. The growth of the glass trade resulted in company growth in size and output. The company developed a good business reputation throughout the country and Canada, whose slogan was "The Top that Sells the Bottom - Since 1838."
Scope and Content Notes
The collection contains corporate history, corporate records, legal papers, catalogues, brochures, advertisements, price lists, photographs, and genealogical notes and family histories from 1868-1938.
A 1938 article written by W. Howard Wright, President of Collins Wright, Inc., describes the corporate history. Corporate records include by-laws, meeting minutes, and records of incorporation. Legal papers include certificate of corporate name, deeds, mortgage and patents. The catalogue of the Pittsburgh Britannia Manufacturing Company contains illustrations of products used by glass manufacturers such as jug/mustard tops, cream lids, decanter stoppers, fruit jar caps, and salt and pepper shaker tops. Six photographs depict company displays at restaurant conventions from 1924-1937. Genealogical notes and family histories contain a Wright family tree.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
Acquisition Information
Donated by Mrs. Stephen S. Pack in October 1972.
Preferred Citation
Collins and Wright, Inc. Records, 1868-1938; AIS.1972.12, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Previous Citation
Collins and Wright, Inc. Records, 1868-1938; AIS.1972.12, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh
Collins and Wright, Inc., Records, 1868-1937; Archives of Industrial Society, University of Pittsburgh Libraries
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Archives Service Center staff on November 17, 1972.
Revision and rearrangement for the encoded version of the finding aid provided by Michael O'Malley on May 15, 2003. Information about the collection title and the controlled access terms was extracted from the MARC record in the University of Pittsburgh catalog Voyager ID number: 1403419
Copyright
Permission for publication is given on behalf of the University of Pittsburgh as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Subjects
- Collins and Wright, Inc
- Gray family
- Wright family
- Manufactures -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
- Genealogies
- Corporation records
- Photographs
- Advertising
- Catalogs
- Price lists
- Pamphlets
- Personal papers
- Business and Industry
- Family histories -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
- Pottery industry
- Glass manufacture
- Industrialists -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh