Repository: Heinz History Center
Title: Karp Family Papers and Photographs
Creator: Karp family.
Collection Number: MSS 1100
Extent: 1.75 linear feet (2 boxes)
Date: 1908-1994
Abstract: Members of the Karp family have operated jewelry stores in Western Pennsylvania since the early twentieth century. The family is descended from Latvian watchmaker David Karp and Rachel Wolfe Karp, and is related by marriage to the Berman family of Altoona. The Karp Family Papers include photographs of the family's jewelry stores in Kittanning, Barnesboro, and Tarentum as well as family photographs and records relating to the Kneseth Israel Synagogue and Karp's Credit Jewelers in Kittanning.
Language: The material in this collection is in English.
Author: The guide to this collection was written by Carly Lough.
Publisher: Heinz History Center
Address: 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org

History

David Karp (Kerpilof), a watchmaker from Latvia, immigrated to Pennsylvania around 1900. At a stop in England, Karp stayed briefly with the family of his cousin, Rachel "Ray" Wolfe, whose parents had emigrated from Russia before her birth. After arriving in Philadelphia, Karp worked a succession of jobs before moving to Barnesboro, Pa., where he was employed by Lippman's Jewelers. By 1908, Karp had earned enough to fund Ray's passage. The couple were married a short time later in Barnesboro, where they opened Karp's Jewelry Store. David and Ray had four children, Reuben, Elchan, Harry and Lillian, all of whom assisted the business from adolescence. The family were members of B'nai Israel Congregation.

Reuben Karp met Florence Berman, the daughter of Altoona jeweler Abraham Berman, after visiting her father's store on business. They married in 1935. Shortly after the marriage, Reuben left Karp's Jewelry to open a shoe store. He and Elchan assumed operation of the family business after the death of their father in 1938. Reuben expanded the business the following year, opening Karp's Credit Jewelers in Kittanning with three hundred dollars in scrap gold and good credit with Pittsburgh wholesalers. The store provided its line of jewelry, tableware and fine goods on weekly payment plans. Harry Karp joined Karp's Credit Jewelers after returning from service in the South Pacific during World War II. He remained with the store for six months before opening a new Karp's location in Tarentum.

Florence and Reuben Karp had three children, Norman, Diane and Elissa. The family were members of Knesseth Israel Synagogue, which Reuben helped to construct and fund. The children attended public schools and classes at Knesseth Israel religious school, where Florence taught Sunday School and was active in Hadassah. The family lived on Allegheny Avenue in Applewold Borough.

In 1966, Karp's Credit Jewelers moved from its original location at 107 South Jefferson Street to a more prominent location at its intersection with Market Street. After Reuben's death in 1978, Norman Karp operated the business with his wife, Nancy. They maintained the business until retiring in 1994. Elchan continued ownership of the Barnesboro store with his wife and son, Sylvia and David, until closing the business to operate James Jeweler in Clarion. Lillian Karp Yeager and her husband, Milton, operated a separate jewelry business in Aliquippa. Members of the extended Karp and Berman families also owned additional jewelry and drug stores in Chambersburg, Jeannette, and Mount Union, Pa.

Scope and Content Notes

The Karp Family Papers and Photographs primarily document the Karp family branches living in Barnesboro and Kittanning, Pa., as well as their respective jewelry businesses. The bulk of the collection consists of family snapshots depicting David and Ray Karp, their children and grandchildren, and the storefronts of the family's jewelry stores in Kittanning, Barnesboro and Tarentum. Of note are photographs of the 1954 and 1956 Knesseth Israel confirmation classes. Store records include two Karp's Credit Jewelers sales ledgers, as well as a photograph and article depicting a Francis engraving machine.

Conditions Governing Access

None

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Accessions 2015.0003, 2015.0239 and 2015.0241, gifts of Norman Karp and Family, Elissa Karp Hirsch and Diane Karp Rudov in 2015.

Preferred Citation

Karp Family Papers and Photographs, 1908-1994, MSS 1100, Rauh Jewish Archives, Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Carly Lough on February 29, 2016.

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 Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.

Related Materials

Tsiveh Gordin/Sylvia Berman by Tela Cohn Zasloff and Roses in December: A Memoir of My Parents by Florence Berman Karp are in the library collection.

Knesseth Israel notes by Florence Berman Karp, Accession 2004.0085.

Norman and Nancy Karp Oral History, Accession 2015.0237

Diane Karp Rudov Oral History, Accession 2015.0240

Elissa Karp Hirsch Oral History, Accession 2015.0238

Separated Materials

Jewelers' tools used by the Karp family which were donated as part of Accession 2015.0003 have been housed in the museum collection

Subjects

Corporate Names

Karp's Jewelry Store (Barnesboro, Pa.)
Karp's Credit Jewelers (Kittanning, Pa.)
Karp's Jewelry Store (Tarentum, Pa.)
Knesseth Israel Congregation (Kittanning, Pa.)

Personal Names

Karp family.
Berman family.
Karp, David.
Karp, Rachel Wolfe.
Karp, Reuben.
Karp, Florence Berman.
Hirsch, Elissa Karp.
Karp, Norman.
Rudov, Diane Karp.

Guide to the Karp Family Papers and Photographs, 1908-1994, MSS 1100