Jewish merchants

The material in the collection includes items, photographs, and papers related to Dorothy Bercu Gross and her husband Norman Gross, her extended family, and her Vaudeville career in the 1920s and 1930s. Her father owned the Chicago Hide, Fur and Wool Company in Douglas, Wyoming and Denver, Colorado. The collection spans from the late 1800s to 2015 and illustrates an extended Jewish family and vaudeville performers.

The photograph shows part of the sign for the Chicago Hide, Fur and Wool House in Douglas, Wyoming. Large bundles of hides or fur are in front of the building. Three men and one woman are standing in front of a wagon piled high with large bundles and four men are standing by the entrance. George D. Bercu founded the Chicago Hide, Fur and Wool House in Douglas, Wyoming.

Matted photograph of George Bercu standing in the interior of the Chicago Hide, Fur and Wool House. There is a large rack of fur coats behind him. He is holding a pelt and is front of a mirror. There are a man's fur coat and a woman's coat on forms, a table with furs and pelts and other pelts in the room. George D. Bercu founded the Chicago Hide, Fur, and Wool House in Douglas, Wyoming.

Photograph on black matting of two men dressed in coverals are sitting at desks. One of the men is sitting in front of a typewritter. There are three bear hides in the room and also a free standing stove and a safe. George D. Bercu founded the Chicago Hide, Fur, and Wool House in Douglas, Wyoming.

Interior of Chicago Hide, Fur and Wool Company in Douglas, Wyoming. Two unidentified men are posing with various animal pelts and hides.

Interior of Chicago Hide, Fur and Wool Company in Douglas, Wyoming. Two unidentified men are seated at desks and there are various hides and pelts hanging on the walls.

Interior of Chicago Hide, Fur and Wool Company in Douglas, Wyoming. Unidentified workers are in various poses throughout the room.

Interior showroom of Chicago Hide, Fur and Wool Company in Douglas, Wyoming. An unidentified man is leaning against a dresser while displaying a pelt that is for sale. Various fur coats and garments are on display throughout the room.

Shelves on the right side of the photograph are filled with boxes and ledgers. There is desk on the left with two men standing near the desk. Behind them are a man and a woman seated at a table. On the left side, George Bercu stands between a man and a woman at desks. George Bercu founded the Chicago Hide, Fur and Wool House in Douglas, Wyoming.

George Bercu and another man are standing behind a large pile of pelts. Additional pelts are hanging from the ceiling. The unidentified man has a briefcase and a hat. Genorge Bercu is standing directly behind the pils of pelts. George Bercu founded the Chicago Hide, Fur, and Wool House in Douglas, Wyoming.