Print - The Canadian Jewish Heritage Network - Alex Dworkin Canadian Jewish Archives

Physical Description: Env. 0.07 metres of textual records. - 1 photograph. - 1 other fixed image. - Env. 20 photographs.

Scope and Content: Large binder of colour laser copies compiled by Dr. Mel Himes about the career of his father, Phil Himes, owner of Phil Himes Manufacturing, a men's clothing wear line that sold to major and minor Canadian department stores in both large cities and small towns as well as to the United States. The m…

Physical Description: Env. 0.07 metres of textual records. - 1 photograph. - 1 other fixed image. - Env. 20 photographs.

Scope and Content: Large binder of colour laser copies compiled by Dr. Mel Himes about the career of his father, Phil Himes, owner of Phil Himes Manufacturing, a men's clothing wear line that sold to major and minor Canadian department stores in both large cities and small towns as well as to the United States. The material, copied from items kept on file at the company before it closed, includes an extensive selection of clothing and fabric labels, advertisements, business cards and other certifying documents, as well as copies of black and white photos showing Phil Himes at work in the factory (1970s) and attending large meetings such as the meeting of the United Palestine Appeal (1940s.) Dr. Himes has retained the originals of these items and documents, and he also has another copy of the complete binder.Addition 2009: Oversize rolled photo of speakers table and room at United Palestine Appeal Combined Textile Trades Dinner, possibly at the Windsor Laurentian Hotel, March 12, 1946. Phil Hymes can be seen at table 22, right side, next to no. 14. Stored in box with Himes album. Poster for National Film Board film "People of the Book," about Jews in Northern Ontario (undated). Stored in box with Himes album. Also substitution of improved copies for 2 colour laser copies donated previously.Addition 2013: The donor added approximately 20 larger and better quality photographic copy prints of the photographs of Phil Himes.

History / Biographical: Phil Hymes was born in 1914 to a poor family in Montreal. He began his working life in 1928 at age 14, as a delivery boy and sweeper, later going on to be a salesman, and from the 1940s the owner of a men's clothing manufacturing firm. Phil Himes Manufacturing sold to major and minor Canadian department stores in both large cities and small towns as well as to the United States, with Mr. Himes doing much of the associated traveling himself. He closed the company in the early 1990s and died in 1998. His son Mel obtained a doctorate in Political Science from McGill University and taught this subject at Dawson College, Montreal, until his retirement circa 2008. He prepared this book for his father and other family members at the time of his father's retirement.

Custodial History: The collection was donated by Phil Himes' son Dr. Mel Himes on July 21, 2008. An Addition was made by Dr. Mel Himes on March 26, 2009

Notes: Alpha-numeric designations :P08/16, P08/16add09, and ZB/ ZC.General note :Rare photos, ephemera and documentation about Jewish involvement in the clothing industry, a major source of employment for Jews and non-Jews in Montreal. Adds to collection of rare photos, ephemera and documentation about Jewish involvement in the clothing industry and philanthropy.