Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
Uncle Ben's Exchange fonds
General material designation
- Textual record
- Graphic material - photograph
Parallel title
Other title information
Title statements of responsibility
Title notes
- Source of title proper: Title based on name of creator.
Level of description
Fonds
Repository
Reference code
Edition area
Edition statement
Edition statement of responsibility
Class of material specific details area
Statement of scale (cartographic)
Statement of projection (cartographic)
Statement of coordinates (cartographic)
Statement of scale (architectural)
Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)
Dates of creation area
Date(s)
-
1912 - 1970 (Creation)
- Creator
- Uncle Ben's Exchange
Physical description area
Physical description
21 cm of textual records. – 8 photographs
Publisher's series area
Title proper of publisher's series
Parallel titles of publisher's series
Other title information of publisher's series
Statement of responsibility relating to publisher's series
Numbering within publisher's series
Note on publisher's series
Archival description area
Name of creator
Administrative history
Benjamin Leibovitz [189-?] - 1981
Benjamin ‘Uncle Ben’ Leibovitz was born in Romania and emigrated to Edmonton via New York City in 1911. At some point during the First World War (1914-1918), an arranged marriage brought Benjamin’s wife, Ghizella Rolingher, also born in Romania, to Canada.
During his early years in Edmonton, Benjamin became well-known as a fur trader and outfitter throughout the area. His business, originally named Uncle Ben’s Store, grew through many iterations, including Uncle Ben’s Exchange after Jean Rolinger, Ghizella’s nephew, joined the business, and finally Uncle Ben’s Sporting Goods. The business also operated in several locations, including the Adam’s Building and Belmont Block.
Benjamin was involved in the building of the Jewish community of Edmonton. He was an active member of the Edmonton Zionist Club in the 1920’s, as well as member of the Beth Shalom Building Campaign Committee, and the Treasurer of the Building Finance Committee in 1951. Throughout his life, he was involved in the Talmud Torah, B’nai Brith, Beth Israel, and Beth Shalom congregations.
Benjamin continued daily operations of his business until his retirement in 1976. Uncle Ben’s Sporting Good eventually closed its doors and ceased operations in 1979. Benjamin Leibovitch died two years later, in 1981.
Custodial history
It is unknown how Lawrence (Larry) W. Baay acquired the records.
Jean Rolingher, Benjamin Leibovitz’s nephew through marriage, acquired the records through his involvement in the operation of the Uncle Ben’s Exchange store.
Scope and content
The fonds consists of photographs, correspondence, journals, financial statements, and account books relating to the operation of Benjamin Leibovitz’s sporting goods store, Uncle Ben’s Exchange, with a range of dates from 1912 to 1970.
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
This fonds was donated to the City of Edmonton Archives by Larry Baay in 1977 and by Jean (Gene) Rolingher in 1979.
Arrangement
The material was arranged by the archivist by date.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Location of originals
Availability of other formats
Restrictions on access
There are no restrictions on access.
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Copyright may apply.
Finding aids
Finding aid available online.
All photographs in reference room and all online.
Associated materials
See also:
First Century of Jewish Life Editorial Committee fonds (JHSE-69) at the Jewish Archives and Historical Society of Edmonton and Northern Alberta
Beth Shalom Synagogue fonds (PR1099) at the Provincial Archives of Alberta
Accruals
No further accruals are expected.
General note
Accession number: A77-71, A79-41
Physical description
Some of the account books have fragile spines that require support when opening.
Alternative identifier(s)
Standard number area
Standard number
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
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Control area
Description record identifier
Institution identifier
Rules or conventions
Rules for Archival Description (RAD)
Archives Society of Alberta Subject Terms
Status
Final
Level of detail
Full
Dates of creation, revision and deletion
Language of description
Script of description
Sources
Digital object metadata
Filename
MS-214_Uncle_Ben_s_Exchange_findingaid.pdf
Latitude
Longitude
Media type
Text
Mime-type
application/pdf