Hello all, I am after a little bit of assistance- has anyone heard of/ knows anything about the designer Jack Herzog? From what I can garner he was an American couturier working in the 40s definitely- but this is as far as I have got. Does anyone else have any further info? Thanks!
I gathered some information after I saw your initial inquiry, but I never organized it, so rather than delay any longer I will do that on the fly here... -- The earliest reference I found to Jack Herzog was in a 1921 trade publication, The American Cloak and Suit Review. It noted that: "The announcement of the 1921 program adopted by the Majestic Cloak Co. includes re-organization with an entirely new personnel and management of its affairs...Harry Herzog is appointed directing manager of the organization and the re-organized business is due to the amalgamation of the firm Phil Herzog & Sons and the Herzog Cloak & Suit Co. into one organization. In addition, the announcement includes the statement that the four brothers Herzog--Herman, Harry, Samuel, and Jack--will be united as one firm after years of individual operation...the suit department will find itself under the direction of Jack Herzog...The company was organized twenty-seven years ago by Edwin A, Hochstadter and was taken over by Harry Herzog on January 1st 1918." -- A 1929 newspaper blurb announced a name change for the company: "Jack Herzog, Manhattan, Jack Herzog & Bros." -- A 1938 NY newspaper reported a new lease for Herzog: "...negotiated the following leases: Jack Herzog & Bro., Inc., dresses, in 260 West Thirty-ninth Street..." -- The 1940 federal census recorded the family of 42-year-old Jack and wife Ruth Herzog, with daughters Caroline and Joan, and son Donald in Manhattan. Jack's occupation was "dresses, wholesale manufacturer." -- A 1942 newspaper story about a fashion show noted: "Glitter was introduced in the showing by Will Saunders, designer for Jack Herzog, who likes to make girls glamorous." -- A 1946 article about an FTC case reported: "The buyers charged were as follows:...Jack, Michael, George, and Louis Herzog, trading as Jack Herzog & Co., 337 Seventh Avenue (NYC)..." -- A 1946 Manhattan directory listed: "Herzog Jack, drses, 530 7 Av; Residence 290 W End Av...Herzog Jack 777 W End Ave...Herzog Jack & Bro, Inc., 530 7 Ave...Herzog Jack Co, mdse brkrs, 127 W 30..." -- A 1958 NY industrial directory listed: "Donald Dress, Inc, 530 7 Ave, NYC. Pres Jack Herzog, treas Samuel Herzog. Dresses..." (Note that the address for Donald Dress, Inc. was the same as the one above, for Jack Herzog, "drses" and that Jack and Ruth Herzog had a son named Donald) -- A 1964 obituary for Jack Herzog stated: "Jack Herzog, retired New York dress manufacturer, died of a heart attack Sunday in his home in Miami Beach. He was 66 years old. Mr. Herzog retired in 1956 from the presidency of Jack Herzog & Bros., Inc...Surviving are his widow, Ruth Syrop; a daughter, Mrs. Joan Venzer; a son, Donald A.; a brother, Samuel, and five grandchildren."
Hi, Jack Herzog was my paternal grandfather. I happened across this forum while doing some research of my own. My grandmother Ruth and my mother often wore his dresses. Sadly, no one in our family has any of his dresses today. I did find a few photos online of some dresses he designed (photos attached). What specifically are you trying to find about Jack?
Oh how wonderful! Sorry to revive a really old thread but I am researching a dress with the Donald Original label and the breadcrumbs took me here. I do have a question though. All of the ads I have found for Donald Original say "by Jack Hertzog". I also found a 1953 Prominent Designer sewing pattern by him which also has the T. It would be too much of a coincidence for this to be someone else I think but want to confirm. Did your family use the two spellings interchangeably? Also, I saw that @Jonathan wrote a blog post about him based on Lynne's research. Just wanted to mention that I found evidence of Donald Original as early as 1952 and Donald Dress Co to 1940.
I’m Jane’s sister and Jack’s granddaughter. Our family had never used a “t” in our last name, but everyone else wants to put one there. Donald was our father. The dress company obviously named after him! If you have any additional questions, feel free to reach out!!!
Thank you sooo much for responding Debra! That's so strange as I would have thought the ads were placed by someone at your dad's company and they all have the T. Do you happen to know exactly when the Donald Original label was started?
oooo! i would love to hear any backstory about the company and it's designs/designers and inspiration! this is very exciting to have a family member helping with this!! welcome!!
I don’t know what year the Donald Original company started. I do know my father worked there for a bit, but hated the dress business. I think that was in the early 1950’s. I was born in 1953 and I’m pretty sure he was working there then. But not for much longer after my birth. Sorry! Debbie
I found this site researching my Jack herzog original black velvet and peach taffeta (?) evening gown. I think it is about a size 12. It is beautiful and in near perfect condition, but it not longer fits me. I want to sell it but don't know how to price it or how to go about it. I could try Craigslist, but that does not feel like the right forum. Any ideas?
You can look at sold listing on eBay and listing on Etsy to help with pricing. Etsy is a good place to sell vintage clothing. This forum does not help with valuations though. It would still be lovely to see a picture of the dress if you are happy to share??
Thank you for the info. I looked on Etsy but did not look for "sold" items. I will check Etsy and ebay. I'm happy to post pictures with the actual measurements, if that is permitted. I wish it still fit, but I'm 65 now and don't think I could do it justice. It looks stunning on the right person.
I would suggest to see if you have any vintage vendors or consignment shops near you. if not, then you might want to check in to some facebook groups that handle vintage garment sales. (Oo La La is one that manages to get some good prices) we don't allow direct sales here on our forums, and we don't appraise or evaluate garments here, either. But we would love to see your garment, if you have images of it. for pricing, we suggest checking actual "sold" prices on similar items on ebay or other vintage websites.
