1942-45 New Bedford MA Handwritten Store Ledger Book STAR FURNITURE ~Local Names

Description

Fascinating and comprehensive wartime handwritten business ledger / sales record book from Star Furniture Corp. then located at 120 Willow Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
Numbering about 186 pages, the book details store sales made between 1942 and 1945. All manner of furniture and household goods and furnishings are represented -- cribs, bicycles, oilcloths, heaters, rugs, a wide variety of toys, several sales of an "Army Transport" and of course lots and lots of furniture. Every sale includes the price and customer's name and addresses in many cases - presumably in the event the customer required delivery or used a house charge. As a result there are hundreds of names and addresses noted, most of them in New Bedford and some also from nearby towns -- Fall River, East Freetown, Acushnet, Taunton, Teaticket and others.
Appears to be the personal sales book belonging to owner Al Brody as many pages have "Al" in the header.
Three period New York City hotel receipts and a postcard that were tucked in (and included) confirm the owner's identity (Brody lived at 87 Kenyon Street in New Bedford).
Book shows use and is a bit haphazard in its arrangement -- apparently it's a combination of several sales books that Mr. Brody took apart and gathered together as needed. I don't fully grasp his method of classifying and tallying sales (a great many of them arranged in sections marked "Special") -- many pages are loose from the binding and it's possible some sections are missing. Still, the pages are in very good condition for their age and the handwriting (in various hands) is all quite legible and full of vintage appeal in itself. W
ith a little local knowledge and research it would be of considerable interest, especially for a collection pertaining to the New Bedford area.
Please check photos and ask any questions you may have -- I'd be glad to check on a name or other detail you may be interested in. Thanks very much.