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Enid Klass Collection

A personal window into the Neiman Marcus era, gifted by Stanley Marcus's own assistant.

Enid Klass Collection

This wonderful collection of correspondence, fashion items, textiles, marketing pieces, personal photographs, and books was compiled over many years by Enid Klass. Ms. Klass is a former personal assistant to Mr. Stanley Marcus, former president of the luxury retailer, Neiman Marcus. Ms. Klass took a summer job at Neiman Marcus in 1951, and worked as an assistant in the Personnel Office for 2 1/2 years prior to being asked to sit in for Mr. Stanley’s personal assistant while she was away for the Christmas holiday. Ms.Klass was offered the position the following year after the assistant resigned. While she stayed with the company for over four years, Enid Klass and the Marcus family maintained communications and correspondence for years to come.

In 2007, Ms. Klass was generous enough to donate her extraordinary personal collection to the Dallas Jewish Historical Society in memory of her parents, Joseph and Sarah Klass,and sisters, Freda, Lillian, and Trudy, greatly enriching our archives. The collection illustrates the fashion and culture of the 1950s and 1960s and provides a rare look into not only the culture of the Neiman Marcus empire, but also into the life of its best-known leader and fashion icon, Mr. Stanley Marcus.

Below are a selection of images from an exhibition inspired by the Enid Klass Collection in 2007, as well as some objects and papers within the collection. To view this collection in greater detail, please visit our online digital database or contact our office.

Four display cases feature magazines, photos, articles, and posters on shelves in a library or exhibit setting.
A typewritten page displays text detailing personal experiences and correspondence with various people.
Two pages of a magazine, one with text columns, the other with an article and an illustration of a man in a suit.
A shiny dark brown leather handbag with a curved flap and two handles, set against a black background.
A black crocodile leather handbag with a gold chain strap and a reddish-brown accent on the front.
A black clutch purse with a wavy, silver beaded pattern on the front, set against a dark background.
Round vintage Neiman Marcus hat box with a brown lid, beige striped sides, and leather handle.
Three adults stand indoors; the woman in blue holds red balloons near abstract art on the wall.
Collage of postcards, letters, and glass display cases with historical artifacts and clothing in a museum setting.
A display case with documents, signs, and photos, including “Shopping at Neimans” and a typed letter.
Four display cases with books, documents, textiles, and illustrations arranged in a museum or exhibition setting.
Four display cases showcase handwritten letters, documents, and framed photographs on various backgrounds.