Object ID
2011.7.252
Object Name
Envelope
Object Collection
Alex's Candy Shop (is part of)
Date Created
1920 – 1940
Material
Paper
Object Entities
Object Description
This is a tax bill envelope from Herman Krumdick, Town Collector from Berwyn, Illinois sent to Alex Rassogianis. There is a red, two cent postage stamp in the right corner. The time stamp is dated March 5, 1932, 6:30 PM. In bold, black lettering, in the center of the envelope is "Tax Bill. If this is not your bill please return to the Mail Man," with "Tax Bill" and "Mail Man" underlined. Above this is a translucent viewing window to see the envelope's contents. The envelope flap is torn about half way off.

Inside the envelope is an additional envelope addressed to Alex Rassogianis at 6822 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn, ILL time stamped on May 9, 1931 at 3:30 PM in Chicago. There is a red, two cent stamp in the top right hand corner.

Inside this inner envelope are severel additional documents. There is a letter from the Association of Real Estate Taxpayers of Illinois dated April 24, 1931. The letter is accompanied by an official receipt acknowledging Mr. Rassogianis' membership and legal fees and his membership card. There is also a small lined peice of white paper with the number 4400 printed on it. Lastly, there are two yellow tax bills.
Origin
Paulina Franks' grandfather, John Rassogianis, came to Chicago in the 1890s. He began his life in the new city by peddling fruits and later, with the help of his sons Alex and George, would open a candy store. In the 1920s Paulina Franks' father Constantine became a part of the family business and the store was able to prosper. When the second business closed Paulina Rassogianis chose to hold as many of the candy store's items as possible and, later, donate them to the National Hellenic Museum.

The Rassogianis family began their candy business in Chicago proper, working out of their own shop named "St. Louis Ice Cream Parlor." Eventually, the shop was closed and the Rassogianis' chose to continue their candy store venture in Berwyn, Illinois. The new shop they chose to open was named Alex's Sweet Shop.

Paulina Franks' father was a key contributor to the success of the Rassogianis candy stores. While Constantine Rassogianis was a noteworthy entrepeneur, he also had many other accomplishments. Among these was his four years of involvment in the Greek national military during World War I wherein he obtained the rank of sergeant. Also, he was a published author and poet, an experienced mandolin player, a church officer and had extensive knowledge of psalti.
Rights and Reproduction
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Citation
Envelope, 1920 – 1940, Alex's Candy Shop, National Hellenic Museum, https://collections.nationalhellenicmuseum.org/Detail/objects/8800. Accessed 04/19/24.