A Guide to the Elizabeth Magie papers, 1942-1943 M 531
A Collection in Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library
Collection number M 531
VCU James Branch Cabell Library
Special Collections and Archives 901 Park AvenueRichmond, Virginia 23284
Business Number: (804) 828-1108
libjbcsca@vcu.edu
URL: https://www.library.vcu.edu/research-teaching/special-collections-and-archives/locations/#cabell
Margaret T. Kidd
Administrative Information
Use Restrictions
There are no restrictions.
Access Restrictions
The collection is open to research.
Preferred Citation
Elizabeth Magie papers, Collection # M 531, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.
Acquisition Information
This collection was purchased by James Branch Cabell Library Special Collections and Archives.
Biographical Information
Elizabeth Magie was born in Virginia on October 30, 1906. She lived with her family in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and attended Salem Academy and College (now named Salem Academy), a boarding and day school for high school girls. From 1942-1943, Magie attended Richmond Professional Institute (now Virginia Commonwealth University), located in Richmond, Virginia. She studied in the School of Store Services Education created in 1937. It was later renamed the School of Distributive Education. As part of her education, Magie worked at Montaldo's department store located on East Grace Street. She gained experience in sales and in answering customer questions about clothing and the impact the war had on fashion.
Magie died on December 21, 1958, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Source: "Students Find War Selling Fascinating, " The Proscript , 15 October 1942.
Scope and Content
This collection is comprised of two notebooks and four reports relating to Magie's coursework at Richmond Professional Institute, School of Store Services Education from 1942 to 1943. In addition to her research, the reports often contain sketches, charts, and clippings. Magie's work provides insight into the effect the war had on the fashions of the day. She includes clippings related to the call for reduced consumption of cloth and clothing to avoid rationing, the difficulty women had in finding good stockings, and the issues of creating suitable, safe uniforms for women working in factories.
Arrangement
Items are arranged chronologically.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Richmond Professional Institute
- Women's clothing.
- World War, 1939-1945.
Container List
Includes work for the following courses: Textiles, Store Organization, Consumer Relations, Merchandising, Art in Merchandising, Personnel, Distributive Education, and Seminar.
Includes work for the following courses: Non-Textiles, Store Organization, Advertising and Sales Promotion, Distributive Education, Methods of Teaching in Distributive Education, Department Store Training, and Salesmanship.