Harry Silberstein driving a horse-drawn wagon used for collecting scrap metal. Scrap metal salvage was one of the occupations accessible to Jews. For immigrants leaving Europe in the late 1880s, scrap collection was an open field which required minimal capitalization and a willingness to move about. It also allowed the collector to be his own boss and avoid mandatory factory work hours which would have conflicted with Sabbath observance. Paper-Calmenson was founded 1891 and is still in operation.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
A truck loaded with sacks. A man can be seen driving the truck and two other men are leaning against it. Harry Silberstein is at the rear of the truck.The company was founded in 1891 by Lewis Paper and Moses Calmenson. The collection yard was located on east 7th Street in St. Paul.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives